No, a lot of people want these cichlids now, but you shouldn't have to buy shells unless you plan on keeping the fry. Shell dwellers should be sold still in the shell, if they aren't mention it to the shop and then leave. Don't waste time with shops that don't even try to keep there shell dwellers calm and unstressed. But if you do want shells for the fry, look online or go to the shore and you can find those "shell huts" plenty of great shells there. Finally you can ask for the dead apple snails at the store and clean them up, for free.