10 gallon suggestions?

[Teelie]

I've got a spare 10 gallon and I want to occupy it with some Cichlids which are about the only major freshwater fish catagory I don't have any of.

I'm thinking of shell dwellers like Multifasciatus or Gracilis if I can find them for a decent price. I'm not sure what else would go well in a 10, preferably the more that can go safely, the better but single fish can work as well.

 

[Ferris]

A couple of shell dwellers could work but not much more than that in a 10 gal i'm afraid.

I'm sure freddyk will be along to give you some good advice on specific species.

 

[Ferris]

The info below may help, some good advice recently given for exactly the same question.

Shell Dweller Aquarium

Select one pair from one of the following species:

• Altolamprologus sp. "Compressiceps Shell"
• 'Lamprologus' brevis
• 'Lamprologus' ocellatus
• 'Lamprologus' stappersii

-OR-

Select one pair from one of the following species:

• 'Lamprologus' similis - trio
• 'Lamprologus' multifasciatus - trio

 

[sylvia]

I'd put a trio of n. multifasciatus in myself (has lamprologus not been changed to neolamprologus?) as they are my favourites of the shellies and very small, cute and beautiful too. Also, they breed quite readily and you'll have several offspring in no time which means you get to witness all the interesting behaviour patterns as well.

 

[Teelie]

Thanks for the suggestions. Some of those look like good options. Do you know general pricing on them though? I've seen a pair of brevis going at $35.00 but not much else on the others.

 

[freddyk]

you can do anwhere from 3-5 multifasciatus ina 10 gallon tank. Pricing of course can't be compared globally.

 

[Teelie]

To narrow it down a bit, in the U.S. If nothing else I can at least get an idea of whether the fish will cost $6 or $60.

 

[freddyk]

They're generally about 10-15$ canadian here

 

[Teelie]

For which species? The ones I'm most interested in are the Multifasciatus, Gracilis (though I've heard these can be expensive), Lamprologus brevis, and most especially Lamprologus meleagris (aka stappersi). That one seems to be my favorite as of the moment.

 

[cometcattle]

In Chicago, they range from $9.99 - 19.99, depending on the store. They are not the easiest to find. I have occies (white strain and gold) and wild caught multies.

One thing I've noticed, is the occie fry will eat their younger siblings, whereas my multies won't.

Also, the occies seem to be better diggers. They will bury a snail shell to the point that all you can see is an opening. They multies aren't quite the little "bull-dozers" that the occies are.

Sorry, I know you didn't ask about occies.

I do remember reading a thread (on another forum) where most people agreed that brevis are one of the most inactive of the shellies, rarely leaving the area around their shell.

 

[Teelie]

The stappersi are a closely related species of occies I've read so they're not too far off that path. I might go with some occies as I want active fish. I have 5 Kuhli loaches who spend the better part of the time camped out in the fry grass of their tank and I rarely see them. These guys will be in another room altogether where I'm not at very often so I definitely want them to be active whenever I go in there.

Right now it's looking more like a pair or group of Brevis or Multi's but I still have a strong determination for the stappersi even if they'll be a more aggressive or expensive fish. I've got dividers and a spare 5 gallon to keep one if they prove to be too aggressive and I need to return one over the weekend or over night.

 

[cometcattle]

I would say the multies are more active than occies.

Chances are you'll end up with more than one shellie tank.