Lamprologus signatus is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika where it prefers deep waters over muddy substrates. This species is a shell dweller. This species can reach a length of 5.5 centimetres (2.2 in) TL. 

Breeding Habits

This fish is monomorphic: males and females are not visually different (males are bigger) and form small colonies or harems - depending on available space - in which the male fry are tolerated until they become active competitors of the male. Female fry are not only tolerated, but are eventually courted as mates. The females also are objects of interest to neighboring males and may be targets of theft.

The male of the harem goes to great lengths in protecting his territory from intruders (other males) and all members of the harem do their best (and it is much, considering their size) to protect the fry.

Aquarium Care

L.Signatus can be kept successfully in aquaria as small as 10 gallons (40 liters), but will do much better in bigger tanks, especially if it is monospecific; they will, however, thrive in a community tank if their tank mates are not much bigger than 4 inches (10 cm). Goby cichlids (genera Eretmodus, Spathodus, and Tanganicodus) are ideal Tanganyikan tankmates since they remain relatively small and mainly eat vegetation.  N. similis should not be kept with other shell dwellers — particularly Altolamprologus compressiceps "Sumbu shell", a predator.

The tank decoration should take into account N. similis' — habits. N. similis favor a sand substrate in the aquarium and benefit from having access to many empty snail-shells. An excellent go to shell for N. similis are the escargot type shells. Those shells are not only visually attractive and pleasing, but they also come in the perfect size. Rocks can be used as background, but are irrelevant to the fish, except in cases of intense aggression; in such cases, the cover provided by rocks often saves the expelled fish's life. Plants - either real or plastic - can also be introduced, but should be weighted, for this fish is an untiring digger, digging sand pits in which to hide its shells from predators and thieves.

Water parameters are those typical of the Lake – pH from 8 to 9, water hardness from 10 to 20°, temperature between 23 and 26 °C (74–78 °F), ammonia and nitrites very close to zero, some nitrates.

This fish is reputedly easy to spawn. Clean, stable water, varied high quality food, minimum aggression, and a water change with the temperature one or two degrees above its normal will usually be enough to cause any fish to spawn, and Lamprologus Signatus is no exception; indeed, once started, they will increase in number fairly rapidly. If the available space is adequate for only one harem, excess males must be removed before the harem's male injures or kills them.

Pic by: Dave H