Shell Dwellers *Now with Pictures*

[JDogg]

ok, came back to school today, from the weekend and found my Albino African Clawed Frog, Freddy, dead

unfortunately or fortunately i have been thinking that here 20 Long would be the perfect tank for a colony of shell dwellers.

maybe i jinxed her

so i am thinking i will take out the gravel and replace it with sand, add some shells and try my hand at some shell dwellers, i know a local guy who is selling 6 Neolamprologus multifasciatus

since i have never kept multis or any shell dwellers any suggestions on how to set up things for them would be great.

thanks

[toddnbecka]

For a colony of multi's the best setup is simply to cover the bottom with shells. If you make the bed several shells deep, they'll all have plenty of cover and breed like rabbits. An UG filter powered by a hob would be the easiest maintenance.
Alternatively, you could do a sand substrate w/several shells for each fish. Only drawback is that the dominant male won't tolerate any other breeding-size males on his turf, so you will likely be removing extra males sooner or later.

[JDogg]

do you think i could get away with some Tanganyika Rainbowfish or should i stick to a species tank?

[toddnbecka]

Not in a 20 long, they're similar to Cyp's regarding swimming space requirements.

[JDogg]

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

Not in a 20 long, they're similar to Cyp's regarding swimming space requirements.

ok maybe i should say i have no experience with tangs...so that statement does not mean anything to me could you explain a little more

[toddnbecka]

You need at least a 4' tank, though 6' is better, to give them enough room. They also grow relatively large for a 20 long, 4-5", larger if properly cared for. They are active, open-water fish, not rock or shell (territory) oriented.

[JDogg]

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

You need at least a 4' tank, though 6' is better, to give them enough room. They also grow relatively large for a 20 long, 4-5", larger if properly cared for. They are active, open-water fish, not rock or shell (territory) oriented.

i assume you are talking about the Rainbowfish?

[toddnbecka]

Ya, I presumed you meant the Tanganykian killifish (Lamprichthys tanganicus), not rainbows at all, but similar regarding swimming space requirements. You wouldn't stock large rainbow's in a 20 either, even the dwarf praecox would be a bit cramped...

[JDogg]

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

Ya, I presumed you meant the Tanganykian killifish (Lamprichthys tanganicus), not rainbows at all, but similar regarding swimming space requirements. You wouldn't stock large rainbow's in a 20 either, even the dwarf praecox would be a bit cramped...

yea for some reason the link to the page said ranbowfish, but they are killies...here is the page i was looking at http://fish.mongabay.com/aplocheilinae.htm

[Voodoo Chilli]

I use about a half-inch of sand in my multi tanks; use as many shells as you can get (just make sure they're round and not the cone-shaped ones). I've found that escargot shells work the best and can be picked up fairly cheaply in grocery stores or Ebay.

IME, you should be able to keep a fairly large colony (including multiple males) without trouble. Just make sure you get all the multis at once, as these buggers will NOT tolerate "newbies" in the colony, once established.

Prepare to enjoy your shellies: the multi is my favorite freshwater species!