Intrigued In Tanganyikan

[bullit]

Different shellies can live in harems, some just pair up. The boulengeri i don know.
The punks are not a true shellie so its something worth thinking about. They will more than likely use the rocks than a true shellie that will stay with the shells.

 

[Gaz_S]

I see what you mean now about the shellies found that not all are true shellies. I do like the ones you suggested and Lamprologus meleagris. Do you know the prices on any of the species? Bought the rock today and going to order some escargot shells off ebay cant find any of the neothauma? shells seem to be hard to find.

Edit: Anyone ever come across the variants of Julidochromis transcriptus (pemba)?

 

[bullit]

The kungweensis that kiriyama mentioned, ive only seen for sale on mikesrifts. Prices depends on private or shop. £3-8 each maybe depending on what you actually get.
The neothauma shells will be really expensive and as you said quite hard to find, hence most people use the escargot.
I dont think ive seen the pemba variants either. Its normally kipili, kalemie, kissi.

 

[Gaz_S]

Cheers whats the best ratio/numbers for the shellies? Ill probably ask at a place near Leeds about getting hold of a species he deals with many african cichlids and gets the rarer/oddball fish from time to time. He may give me some store credit aswell.

Just done a pH test on tap came out 7.6 which should alter with the rock. I have play sand in at the moment and dont really want to pay out for the expensive stuff will that be ok?

 

[kiriyama]

Sounding good, bearing in mind most LFS do not keep there Tans at really high pH anyway, you will be fine, like the wee "floor plan" The punks would have made an interesting addition with the Julies, lots of action in there The meleagris (pearl occies) you mentioned was what I was originally after for the 48ltr fishbox but then was advised on the Kungweensis, the pearl occies are full of character and can really hold there own, a pair would probably be fine

 

[bullit]

A group of 4-6. 6 pretty much guaranteeing a pair. You might get 2 pairs that might be alright or as said one male and 2-3 females that could be ok. It all depends on what you get. Play sand will be fine.

 

[Gaz_S]

Thank you both for your input been a great help. I would love the puncs aswel but i got bit carried away with the rock today and set it up on the floor to how I liked it and it will be one end of the tank just right leaving the other side clear. There are so many options with the shellies but i defiantely would love th julies with the pemba variant. I have a month to track down some species with a reasonable price tag I will keep you updated. No doubt my stock will be different within a few hours.

Being doing some research on the julie and it has many different names like Kissi bemba I think I may have to settle for what I can get hold of. Definately them or dickfieldi.

Gaz

 

[bullit]

Id try and get the Transcriptus as they grow smaller, so they take up less of a territory. Yeah keep us posted bud.

 

[Gaz_S]

Rang a store who deals in african cichlids today and asked him about getting fish in and he said he can but it will be next month now when the store next gets a delivery so I'm going to pop up on saturday and see what he can get. He said he orders from africa direct so I assume they are wild. These are the final 2 species:

4 x Julidochromis transcriptus (Katoto):

4 x Neolamprologus boulengeri: