Neolamprologus multifasciatus, newbe question

[whecsailor]

Hi
I just inherited by a moving neighbor a pair of Mulitis . did the research, set them up in a10 gal tank, shells and all.

I was told they were a mated pair,

Both are about 1.5 long, and in the tank now 3 days. one went to ne shell in one corner, the other went t a shell in the opposite corner, about 9 inches apart.
no fighting is evident, and sometimes they swim by each other, but that is about all.

Is this normal behavor for a mated pair?

Thanks
Mike in Troy

 

[gomezladdams]

possibly.
They dont really form strong pair bonds like ca/sa cichlids,they form colonies with one male as the boss.If its a male and a female just give them time,there will be lots.

 

[Pittbull]

They are harem breeders mother father family harem offspring will protect future offspring great colony shell dweller that do form tight bonds but with the whole colony, it sounds like you have 2 females at the same size unless their still very young. A male will be bigger around 2 to 2 1/2 inches and females stay around 1 1/2 inch..

To start these guys out it is advised to do 6 together let them form their bonds and the others will be subordinates or form there social groups.

My colony started out with a pair and i just sold 40 juvies and sub adults and i still have about 30 more in a 20gal long but i have had mine for a few years now and really no issues..

 

[vaypourus]

Give it some time. My experience with shelldwellers is that the divorce and "separated" time can be quite high. As already said they don't really form "mated pairs"...if they have bred before though, they will most likely do it again. They are prolific little fish!

If you don't see anything within a couple of weeks, try re-arranging the tank. Sometimes that will do the trick.