Adults are often a light brown to beige and exhibit a characteristic dark vertical banding pattern with a bright white or blue iris and black pupil.

The species is sexually monomorphic, however males are typically larger and have slightly longer fins compared to females when fully mature.

The specific epithet refers to the banding pattern on the body and comes from the Latin multi = many and fascia = striped The geographic range of N. multifasciatus is limited to Lake Tanganyika.

[4] [5] Its natural habitat is the Neothauma shell beds of Lake Tanganyika, where it forms huge colonies with thousands of individuals.

This approach disentangles the influence of different shell features, which are usually correlated in nature, and provides a more refined method for studying animal decision-making and niche construction.

These groups typically consist of several reproductive males and females, a system thought to arise from the limited dispersal opportunities within the shell beds.

More aggressive individuals are able to claim larger numbers of shells, which allow them to house their offspring and expand their genetic influence within the colony.

[10] N. multifasciatus exhibits intricate breeding habits, relying on empty gastropod shells for egg laying and parental care.

[11] After hatching, the embryos, or "wrigglers", remain attached to the nest by mucus threads from their heads, preventing them from swimming freely.

The hatched young absorb their yolk sacs for nutrition while stuck to the nest before their adhesive threads dissolve, at which point they become free-swimming.

The abundance of shells in their environment allows them to remain within the safety of the colony while taking advantage of this readily available food source.

Neolamprologus multifasciatus is currently listed as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its stable population and adaptability.

The species thrives in the extensive shell bed habitats of Lake Tanganyika, where its colonies can reach thousands of individuals.

The lake's ecosystem is under pressure from overfishing, deforestation-induced sedimentation, pollution from urban sewage and industrial waste, and climate change.

While N. multifasciatus remains resilient due to its adaptable nature and widespread habitat, ongoing efforts to protect Lake Tanganyika’s environment are crucial to ensuring the long-term survival.