How Commonly Avaliable Are These Species?

[Kelly-Jo]

I'm thinking about setting up for some shelldwellers, such as Lamprologus ocellatus or N. multifasciatus. I believe these are both shelldwelling species (correct me if i'm wrong). I would like to know how easy it is to find these species, are they a rare find in an LFS or not? Also if anyone could give me some accurate information about tank requirements, dietary needs etc..this would be appreciated thanks!

 

[Malawi MaD]

I'm thinking about setting up for some shelldwellers, such as Lamprologus ocellatus or N. multifasciatus. I believe these are both shelldwelling species (correct me if i'm wrong). I would like to know how easy it is to find these species, are they a rare find in an LFS or not? Also if anyone could give me some accurate information about tank requirements, dietary needs etc..this would be appreciated thanks!

Yeah your right Kelly they are both shell welling species. Depends what LFS's you have near by they shouldn't be to difficult to comes across. Just have a shop/look about and see what you can find .. As for The tank requirements, The setup should have open areas of sandy substrate with a good amount of empty shells for breeding and the males/females to take cover. More shells should be provided than there are individual fish, the substrate should be at least 2" deep as this species likes to dig and rummage about. The water requirements for these fish must be hard and alkaline with a PH range of 7.5/9.0 and a temperature between 23-27'C. As for feeding they will eat most African cichlid foods will be accepted such as (new era/cichlid pellets) Live and frozen varieties should form the bulk of the diet, although dried food will still be accepted.

Hope this helps Kelly

 

[Kelly-Jo]

Thanks, that's so helpful. What kind of tank size are we looking at?

 

[bullit]

theres some multies are on AQ for a £1 atm.

Some differences so you know- Your multies will form a harem so you could buy a a group and they would be fine. The occies males wont tollerate each other so a pair or a trio would be better. Multies like lots of shells, the more the merrier. What size tank do you have? cheers

 

[Kelly-Jo]

It's actually only a 30 litre that I have at the moment, which I don't think will be anywhere near big enough. I'm hoping to possibly get a bigger one at christmas for them as a 3rd tank, so really I could provide whatever they need.

 

[bullit]

10 gallon tanks are fine for shellies. Yours is a little less but will also be fine providing what the dimensions are? You can house your multies (which i would go for) etc in there for life but as the harem grows and you will have to remove the extra fish, unless you transfer them to another tank so the colony can grow. cheers

 

[Kelly-Jo]

The dimensions are 30x30x35cm

 

[bullit]

yeah, your right, its a little on the small side but would be fine untill you upgraded at christmas if you went a head.

 

[Malawi MaD]

As bullit said they should be ok for a short period of time just remember to keep an eye on them as they can be moody little things showing a lot of aggression.

 

[Kelly-Jo]

So they wouldn't be ok in the 30 long term?

 

[Malawi MaD]

Wouldnt advise it no, if breeding occurs they can be aggressive little things. Could maybe get away with it if you decide to thin out the tank giving breeding pairs more space. It's rarely if ever a good idea to have multiple species of shelldwellers in the same tank. They are a handful, possible ways it can work are Firstly, in a very large tank, a species can be kept on each end, with a fairly aggressive rock dweller living in a large shell pile between the two to keep them separated. Second, a tank divider, while ugly, will keep the adults apart. Third, a true shellie can be combined with a species that lives in rocks but spawns in shells, like N. caudopunctatus.

 

[bullit]

You could prob do a pair (like brevis) but i personally i would have something a bit bigger . ie- bigger footprint.