Cychlids

[Cichlids]

are there any cichlids that can live in a hard water- PH of 7.5-8 -30 gallon tank? Can anyone tell me what parameters shell dwellers need, also how many could I get in a 30 gallon?

 

[Cichlids]

Also do cichlids like planted tanks?

 

[Demeter32]

Africans like hard water with a high pH so shell dweller are a good idea. I would not add a ton of them to the tank though. Just a few pairs plus all the shells they would need, soon enough they should breed and fill the tank on their own.

Here's a few species. You can probably keep 2 species just fine but I'd personally go with a single species and create a colony.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/neolamprologus-multifasciatus
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/Lamprologus-ocellatus/
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/lamprologus-kungweensis/

Shell dweller dig and move sand as they please so there's no point in adding plants. You could add rhizome plants like anubias and java fern but you will need to attach them to a rock or driftwood. They shouldn't bother them there. Also, it is basically a must to have a soft sand substrate for these fish. Sand and shells is basically their life.

 

[Cichlids]

Africans like hard water with a high pH so shell dweller are a good idea. I would not add a ton of them to the tank though. Just a few pairs plus all the shells they would need, soon enough they should breed and fill the tank on their own.

Here's a few species. You can probably keep 2 species just fine but I'd personally go with a single species and create a colony.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/neolamprologus-multifasciatus
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/Lamprologus-ocellatus/
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/lamprologus-kungweensis/

Shell dweller dig and move sand as they please so there's no point in adding plants. You could add rhizome plants like anubias and java fern but you will need to attach them to a rock or driftwood. They shouldn't bother them there. Also, it is basically a must to have a soft sand substrate for these fish. Sand and shells is basically their life.

THanks, this was really helpful. Hope to get some shellies soon!

 

[Cichlids]

Hi, me again I did some research and was wondering if I could get a type of larger cichlids or other fish with the shellies, so does anyone know if there are any good tannkmates for the shellies (unless they prefer to be alone)?

 

[Demeter32]

Shellies are best kept alone, they will bully most other fish away from their territories and other fish may eat their fry. I've heard of adding dither fish like danios but I still wouldn't do it.