Brevis Shell Dweller
Neolamprologus brevis
The Brevis Shell Dweller (Neolamprologus brevis) is a peaceful fish that's rewarding to keep. Give it a tank of at least 60 litres (16 US gallons), water held at 73-81°F, and a pH of 6.5-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Africa
- Africa
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Brevis Shell Dweller Tank Setup
Give them at least 60 litres (16 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 73-81°F and a pH around 6.5-7.5.
What Do Brevis Shell Dwellers Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Brevis Shell Dweller Tank Mates
Keep with plenty of empty snail shells - this is where this species likes to live/hide. Provide 3:1 snail shells to fish The Brevis Shell Dweller is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Brevis Shell Dwellers Good for Beginners?
Care demand varies by line and setup. Match the care level to how often you actually test and change water.
Brevis Shell Dweller - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Brevis Shell Dwellers need?
Brevis Shell Dwellers need a tank of at least 60 litres (16 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Brevis Shell Dwellers need?
Keep them at 73-81°F with a pH of 6.5-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Brevis Shell Dwellers eat?
Brevis Shell Dwellers are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Brevis Shell Dwellers good for beginners?
It depends on the setup. Match Brevis Shell Dwellers to how often you actually test water and perform maintenance.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Brevis Shell Dwellers
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Plakat BettaPredator - Plakat Betta will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Tiger BarbFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
