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The terms shell dwellers refer to group of cichlids that use the empty shells of aquatic snails as places for breeding and shelter. Usually these cichlids use Neothauma Tanganicensis shells. Most shell dwelling cichlids are from Lake Tanganika. There are little more then 20 species of Tanganyikan shell dwellers but not all of them are "true" shell dwellers. Neolamprologus signatus for example is a mud/substrate spawner but in aquarium it will breed in shells. All of them are carnivores or to be accurate insectivorous feeding on aquatic crustaceans, plankton and freshwater copepods. In home tank they all should be fed with high quality foods, frozen and live foods will appreciate. They breed in shells, the female enter the shell and spawn her eggs in it, and male will fertilize these eggs immediately. Shell dwellers characterized by small size and hot temperament.  
Photos by: Gal Goshen (left) and Amir Levi
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