{"product_id":"neolamprologus-brevis-ikola-sunspot","title":"Neolamprologus brevis \"Ikola Sunspot\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRemarks:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e  The \u003cem\u003eNeolamprologus brevis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\"Ikola Sunspot\" we are currently offering were bred from wild parents here at the farm hence being labelled as \"F1.\" Their wild genetics make for incredibly healthy genes perfect for breeding projects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e  The \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eNeolamprologus brevis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\"Ikola Sunspot\"\u003cspan\u003e is a stunning locality of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeolamprologus brevis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e from the Ikola region along the Tanzanian shoreline. This beautiful locality is prized for the vibrant, sunshine-yellow belly present in breeding age females  This coloration is also occasionally present in dominant males, but is far more muted making them one of the easiest to sex variants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"relative basis-auto flex-col -mb-(--composer-overlap-px) pb-(--composer-overlap-px) [--composer-overlap-px:28px] grow flex\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex min-h-0 grow flex-col text-sm\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-8 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eNeolamprologus brevis\u003c\/i\u003e is one of the smallest lamprologines known to the hobby, rarely growing beyond 2” in length. What these shell-dwellers lack in size, they make up for in their feisty personalities and striking appearance. \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e will fearlessly defend their shells against intruders much larger than them, sometimes even nipping the hands of keepers that get too close! This amusing level of bravado combined with the electric blue markings that seem to glow on their tan or silver bodies makes \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e a must have for many Tanganyikan cichlid enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eIn the wild, \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e populations can be found throughout Lake Tanganyika to which they are endemic. Each locality can differ in both color and pattern, but their habitat type choice remains the same. Being a shell-dwelling species that form monogamous pairs instead of harems, \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e are found in open sand where empty snail shells are scattered about with each pair controlling a territory approximately 6” in diameter centered around their chosen shell. They hover outside their shell feeding upon any passing plankton that they snatch out of the water column. A unique trait of \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e is that they have a far greater number of gill-rakers compared to other shell-dwellers which gives cause to their robust, frog-like heads that house them. It is suspected that having so many gill-rakers aids this species in feeding upon even the smallest of zooplankton within the lake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eWithin the home aquarium, it is best to attempt to replicate the natural habitat of \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e to allow them to thrive. They require warm, hard, alkaline water parameters, a sandy substrate, and at least one shell per pair. Their monogamous nature allows \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e to be comfortable if kept as a single pair with a 10-gallon aquarium being sufficient enough space. If keeping multiple pairs together as a colony or if keeping them in a Tanganyikan community, 20 gallons or more will be needed. While \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e are very protective of their shells, they are otherwise peaceful cichlids and thus can be kept with many other Tanganyikan species so long as enough space is provided and tankmates aren’t large enough to swallow them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eFeeding \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e is both an entertaining and straight forward task. Being true micropredators and planktivores, they will take most small, meaty foods provided. High protein crushed flakes and small pellets, baby brine shrimp, moina\/daphnia, small bloodworms, and tubifex are all great options they should take to readily. Since \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e usually are not very picky, you can occasionally provide them with a crushed veggie flake as a treat to aid in digestion, but majority of their diet should be high protein.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eLike with most shell-dwelling species, a lot of the enjoyment most find in keeping \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e is being able to witness their breeding and fry-rearing habits. Of course, to begin breeding your own, you will need males and females. Since it can be difficult or near impossible to sex young \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e, it is best to start with a group of at least 5-6 young juveniles and allow them to pair off naturally. As they mature, you can begin to spot the handful of differences between males and females. Males will get extensions on their ventral fins, have a more pointed dorsal fin, grow larger, and will have more vibrant blue markings. Females remain smaller, rounder, have smaller fins, and will get a yellow hue to their bellies. How vibrant this yellow color is depends on the locality of your \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e with some having very subtle yellow color while others are more intense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eWhen ready to spawn, a pair will select a shell to breed in and use as a hiding spot when threatened. A unique behavior \u003ci\u003eN. brevis\u003c\/i\u003e display is that both males and females will hide in the same shell, something not seen in other cichlid species. While this species does not tend to bury their shells like many other shell-dwellers, they instead show off surprising strength and resourcefulness when their selected shell is not in ideal placement. By biting onto and manipulating the shell or simply ramming into it, these bulldog-like cichlids are able to move the shell around or even flip it over if needed despite the shell usually being at least twice their size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eOnce a shell is selected and in prime condition, the female will lay her eggs deep inside the shell with the male then fertilizing them. Both the male and female will guard the eggs and fry until they are free-swimming after which the male typically moves on to another female if one is available. The female will continue to care for the fry until they begin to leave the shell about 1-2 weeks after becoming free-swimming. So long as the fry have other hiding spots to retreat to and the tank is large enough, they typically can be safely left in the same tank as the parents to continue to grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Imperial Tropicals","offers":[{"title":"0.5-1\" Unsexed F1","offer_id":53792973586739,"sku":"F-28","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"(5 pack) 0.5-1\" Unsexed F1","offer_id":53792973619507,"sku":"F-28","price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0764\/6524\/2419\/files\/Neolamprologusbrevis_IkolaSunspot_Website.jpg?v=1785941362","url":"https:\/\/imperialtropicals.com\/products\/neolamprologus-brevis-ikola-sunspot","provider":"Imperial Tropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}