Looking For Clarification On Shell Dwellers

[nukeonekitty]

I am just looking for some basic info on shell dwelling cichlids... some examples of what fish actually are shell dwelling and what is needed to keep them... thank you.

 

[denis coghlan]

Cichlid-forum.com has volumes of information regarding shell dwellers.

Shelldweller corner

 

[nukeonekitty]

How large of a tank do they need or do they go by the 6 square inches a piece rule?

 

[Teelie]

No better place than Shelldwellers.com IMO.

 

[Griz]

How large of a tank do they need or do they go by the 6 square inches a piece rule?

It's more a question of "how big a tank do you have?". You need a minimum of a 10g but your choices of species are limited. Bigger tanks like a allow you a wider choice of which species you can keep. And they really should be kept in a species only tank. Unless you have something much bigger in mind.

 

[Ferris]

@Griz - Just noticed the quote in your sig:

Step outside - The graphics are amazing!

Nearly spat my coffee all over the desk, simple but brilliantly funny

 

[nukeonekitty]

Well I would be using my 20 gallon tank, I want to do a species tank and I was looking at a few different shellies that only get up to 2 inches... that would be cool!

 

[Teelie]

Most of the shellie species stay around 2" so you've still got a good number of choices. Brevis, Ocellatus, stappersi, specious, multis, quite a variety.

 

[nukeonekitty]

Which one of the small shellies seems to have the most active and lively personalities in your opionion?

 

[Teelie]

I'm partial to Lamprologus stappersi but Brevis, Ocellatus and Similis are also close contenders I almost chose.

 

[Griz]

Well I would be using my 20 gallon tank, I want to do a species tank and I was looking at a few different shellies that only get up to 2 inches... that would be cool!

What are the dimensions? Floor space is important.

 

[nukeonekitty]

The tank is 24 inches by 12 inches by 18 inches.

 

[Teelie]

Should be good for 4-6 depending on the individual fish aggression and species you choose.