shell dwellers

[Mitch]

i was just wondering if anyone could give me any info on the shell dwelling cichlids from lake tanganyika. like water parametres, tank size(i heard that they could be kept in a small tank), and other info vital for keeping these little fishies alive. thanks for your help

 

[The_Budmaster]

take a look at Cichlid Recipe - Desktop Cichlids its a good place to start for some info

 

[thecichlidaddict]

That's a good place to start. Keep in mind they are talking about a minimum tank size, not a recommended tank size. Like with most fish, you will always benefit from more room.

Here's what I have to say at any rate:
Shelldwelles

 

[Rudy2860]

I was very interested in keeping some shell dwellers and have read a fair amount of info on them but i was wondering what else, if anything, could be kept with them if they were put into a larger tank such as a 55 gallon?

 

[thecichlidaddict]

In a 55 gallon you can put together a very nice Tanganyikan Community.

Decorate with rocks on one side of the tank, and cluster the shells on the other side, leaving swimming space in the middle. Sand is the best substrate to go with, I like beach sand sold as play sand, it's clean, cheap, and looks good.

For the rock dwellers you have a nice assortment of Neolamprolines, Altolamprolines, and Julidochromines, as well as a couple of others. Depending can keep two pairs of rock dwellers. Most of the Tang rock dwellers are monogomous. Purchasing 4 juveniles and allowing a pair to form naturaly is the best way to achieve a solidly bonded pair.

On the other end you can keep a couple pairs of shelldweller like Brevis, a harem of 6 or so of something like Ocellatus, or a small colony of Multifasciatus numbering around 7 or 8.

 

[Loveless]

what ever you do don't get white sand

 

[Rudy2860]

sounds good, whats the issue with white sand?