Gold Ocellatus (Lamprologus ocellatus)

Name: Gold Ocellatus (Lamprologus ocellatus)
Brand: Legacy Line Aquatics LLC
Price: 25.99 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

$25.99

Gold Ocellatus are small Lake Tanganyika shell-dwelling cichlids with warm golden coloration, large expressive eyes, and personalities far larger than their physical size. They establish territories around empty snail shells and actively dig, bury, uncover, and reposition those shells.

Their territorial displays, courtship, and shell-spawning behavior make them fascinating fish for a dedicated Tanganyikan aquarium.

Why Hobbyists Love Gold Ocellatus

Bright golden coloration
Huge personality in a small fish
Fascinating shell-dwelling behavior
Constant digging and territory-building
Interesting courtship and parental behavior

What You’re Getting from Legacy Line Aquatics

Clean systems
Proper feeding, with a mixture of high-quality small cichlid pellets, frozen baby brine shrimp, frozen daphnia, frozen mysis shrimp, and live baby brine shrimp
Parasite free

Adult Size: Approximately 2–2.5 inches
Temperament: Territorial and semi-aggressive
Difficulty: Intermediate
Lifespan: Approximately 5–8 years
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature: 74–80°F

Temperament & Behavior

Gold Ocellatus are bold, territorial shell dwellers. Each fish establishes an area around one or more shells and may defend that surprisingly small territory against fish, aquarium tools, or the keeper’s hand.

They actively move sand and rearrange shells. This is normal behavior and one of the most interesting reasons to keep them.

Feeding

These fish are micropredators that feed on small aquatic invertebrates. They respond well to a varied diet of small prepared, frozen, and live foods.

Recommended foods:

High-quality small cichlid pellets
Micro pellets
Frozen baby brine shrimp
Frozen daphnia and cyclops
Finely chopped mysis shrimp
Live baby brine shrimp
Small insect-based foods

They do best in tanks with:

Fine sand suitable for digging
Several empty shells per fish
Clearly separated shell territories
Stable rockwork placed directly on the aquarium bottom
Strong oxygenation
Hard, alkaline water around pH 7.8–9.0

Tank Size (Recommended)

Single pair: 20 gallons recommended
Small breeding group: 30 gallons or larger
Tanganyikan community: 40 gallons or larger with clearly separated territories

Water Temperature

Ideal range: 74–80°F
Stable temperature and water chemistry are essential

Tank Mates (Good Choices)

Gold Ocellatus are often best maintained in a species-focused aquarium. Tank mates should only be attempted when the aquarium provides enough room to separate shell and rock territories.

Good tank mates may include:

Small Tanganyikan cichlids in larger aquariums:

Julidochromis transcriptus
Smaller Julidochromis species
Cyprichromis species in appropriately sized tanks

Tanganyikan catfish:

Synodontis lucipinnis when maximum fry survival is not the primary goal

Avoid:

Other shell-dwelling cichlids competing for the same area
Large or highly aggressive cichlids
Bottom dwellers that repeatedly enter shell territories
Soft-water community fish
Coarse or sharp gravel
Providing only one shell per fish

Local Delivery

Delivery is available within an 80-mile maximum distance from Owensboro, Kentucky.
$150 minimum order is required for delivery
$25 delivery fee applies

Local Meet-Up

Local meet-up is available.
After order we will contact you by email, or through Facebook or Instagram Messenger.
We will arrange a date, time, and public location to meet.

Shipping & Live Arrival

Live fish are shipped Monday–Wednesday (weather permitting) to reduce transit risk. Please review our How Shipping Works page and DOA Policy before ordering.