Considering Shell Dwellers

[Labenator65000]

I have a 20 gallon comminity tank that I'm considering converting to a shell dweller tank.

I have a 55 gallon Malawi tank, but I know absolutely nothing about shellys. So here is where I ask a number of noob questions to help me decide whether shelle dwellers are a right fit for me (and vice-versa).

- Is a 20 gallon a large enough tank?
- How many can I safely have in a 20 gallon?
- What are my subtrate options?
- Is there special filtration or water-flow needed, or does your basic HOB spec's for a 20 gallon aquarium suffice?
- What diet do they need? Is NLS a good for for them?
- What temp to they prefer?
- I have well water that luckily is perfect for Rift Lake cichlids. What water parameters do Shellys need?
- Are there gender considerations that I need to consider (M/F ratio)?
- Are there species considerations that I need to beware of? Will I need to research each species for compatibility, or can any/all shell dwellers go together?

Are there good reputable online resources? Don't tell me to Google, please. I want REPUTABLE resources.

Thanks in advance.

 

[joel618]

Im glad you made this thread. I have an empty 29g that i started cycling today and i am considering shellies or some small central americans.

 

[emerald76]

I wonder if I could do shellies in a 10

 

[Labenator65000]

I found this site http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/cichlidrecipe/shellweb/http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/cichlidrecipe/shellweb/ . Is it's advice accurate?

From what the referenced site states, Shell Dwellers can be kept in a 10 gallon aquarium. It also states that they can coexist with certain other non-cichlids e.g. Zebra Danios and certain Plecos.

Finding random sites through Google is all good and fine, but I would really prefer to hear from someone on this forum who has had experience with them.

 

[herp_mommy]

I have a group of 12 shellies (lamprologus ocellatus gold) in a 30gal tank. They're great little fish, fun to watch and spunky little personalities.

- Is a 20 gallon a large enough tank? yes, a 20 long would be perfect
- How many can I safely have in a 20 gallon? I would start with a dozen, they will breed fairly quickly
- What are my subtrate options? Cichlid sand, they like to dig and bury the shells
- Is there special filtration or water-flow needed, or does your basic HOB spec's for a 20 gallon aquarium suffice? HOB works fine, low flow
- What diet do they need? Is NLS a good for for them? I feed micro pellets
- What temp to they prefer? I keep mine at 75
- I have well water that luckily is perfect for Rift Lake cichlids. What water parameters do Shellys need? I use Tanganyika buffer for my tap water
- Are there gender considerations that I need to consider (M/F ratio)? Not sure, I ordered mine unsexed, so far no problems
- Are there species considerations that I need to beware of? Will I need to research each species for compatibility, or can any/all shell dwellers go together? Single Species tanks are best

 

[Labenator65000]

I have a group of 12 shellies (lamprologus ocellatus gold) in a 30gal tank. They're great little fish, fun to watch and spunky little personalities.

- Is a 20 gallon a large enough tank? yes, a 20 long would be perfect
- How many can I safely have in a 20 gallon? I would start with a dozen, they will breed fairly quickly
- What are my subtrate options? Cichlid sand, they like to dig and bury the shells
- Is there special filtration or water-flow needed, or does your basic HOB spec's for a 20 gallon aquarium suffice? HOB works fine, low flow
- What diet do they need? Is NLS a good for for them? I feed micro pellets
- What temp to they prefer? I keep mine at 75
- I have well water that luckily is perfect for Rift Lake cichlids. What water parameters do Shellys need? I use Tanganyika buffer for my tap water
- Are there gender considerations that I need to consider (M/F ratio)? Not sure, I ordered mine unsexed, so far no problems
- Are there species considerations that I need to beware of? Will I need to research each species for compatibility, or can any/all shell dwellers go together? Single Species tanks are best

Thanks for the advice. How long have you had yours? Are they adults?

 

[herp_mommy]

About four months. They're sub adults, not breeding age yet