48"x15"x12" Tanganykian Set Up.

[kniesh]

Hi I know this post is going to be very similar to CFCs post but I didn't want to hijack it. I was going to set up an Mbuna set up but didn't think I could do it justice with this tank, so I thought I could set up a nice tank with some shell dwellers and a few slightly larger main fish from lake Tanganykian. I have done some searching but it appears that profiles etc.. are a lot less available than the Mbuna. So far I have come up with maybe some Lamprologus ocellatus and Neolamprologus brevis (which I really like) As 2 colonies of shell dwellers, not sure if 2 different colonies is doable or not? Also maybe some Neolamprologus multifasciatus is an option I am considering, of course I dont really know the availability of these so lot will depend on that. As my main attraction I was considering Altolamprogus calvus, however they do seem to get quite large for the shell dwellers. Does anyone have any other suggestions of readily available fish, I wont be going back to the main fish shop for about a week now so I cant check. Any help very welcome, thx.

Ok done a lot more research as I know that was very vague. I am looking at a colonie of smallish shell dwellers as mentioned above and as my main fish I have been looking at Juidochromis ornatus (kasakalawe) They have these in my shop as I've seen them but would they go with shell dwellers, says 3" maxx on the site I was on, and would they go with Neolamprologus marunguonsis (kapampa)

so a possible list is;

Lamprologus ocellatus
Neolamprologus brevis
Neolamprologus multifasciatus
ALL SHELL DWELLERS

Then as feature fish my list;

Juidochromis ornatus (kasakalawe)
Neolamprologus marunguonsis (kapampa)
Neolamprologus splendens
Neolamprologus buescheri (kachese)
Neolamprologus pulcher (kalambo)
Neolamprologus sexfasciatus (gold)

Thats a list that needs mix n' matched as I'm sure I cant keep them all in this size tank, however does anyone see any problems with them?

Thx in advance I know theres a lot to scroll through there just loking for advice from more experienced keepers so I dont just kill fish.

 

[CFC]

From my own research it seems that 100 litres (30 gallons) per species of shell dweller is recomended if keeping mixed colonies otherwise the fish may spend more time settling border disputes than they do breeding so you may be able to get away with two small groups at a push.

I have been assured that even full grown calvus wont eat adult shell dwellers but fry will be eaten if they stray too far from the parents, this is however just what i have been told not from personal experience.

As you have seen there arent really many tang species readily available so its pretty much a case of arming yourself with a good book and grabbing suitable fish as soon as you see them.

 

[kniesh]

Thx CFC, I came on to post today and seen you were setting up the exact same tank I was about to post, so didn't want to just hijack it. I think I will go with just 1 colony of shell dweller, I had never considered these but they look quite cool. The rest I think will come once my chosen dwellers establish themselves, hoping they do it pretty quickly. Then I will probably add a species of larger Juidochromis or Neolamprologus. Do you know if adding 2 of these would be wrong? I have came to the conclusion I can probably either have 1 breeding species, or a couple of single sex species, this sound right?