Gold Ocellated Shell-Dweller

Gold Ocellated Shell-Dweller (Lamprologus ocellatus 'Gold')

The Gold Ocellated Shell-Dweller is a small, captivating cichlid from Lake Tanganyika in Africa. Known for its metallic gold body, vivid blue eye-ring, and bold personality, this dwarf cichlid spends most of its time in and around empty snail shells, which it uses for breeding and protection.

Despite its small size—typically growing to just 4–5 cm—the Gold Ocellatus is fiercely territorial and full of character. It’s best kept in a species-only setup or with other Tanganyikan dwarfs in a well-structured aquarium with a sand substrate and plenty of empty shells (one per fish minimum). This setup mimics their natural behavior of digging, shell-claiming, and defending territory.

Water conditions should reflect their natural lake environment: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.8–8.5), and temperatures between 24–27 °C. They are omnivores and will thrive on a diet of high-quality pellets, frozen mysis, brine shrimp, and finely crushed flake.

With proper care and the right tank setup, Gold Ocellated Shell-Dwellers are a joy to observe and are ideal for aquarists wanting a unique and interactive nano cichlid species.