Shell Dweller/community Set Up

[Gavilb]

hi

i have set up a rio 180 tank with sand substrate, rocks at each end and escargot shells in the middle. I have java moss and fern in there too. Im going to buy around 6 or 7 shell dwellers to start a colony. What else could i put in the tank with them to give some mid and high level interest? what about cyps (blue flash) or something like that?? any ideas??

THANKS!

 

[dthoffsett]

Are you wanting to go with Tanganikya community fish or "regular" fish?

If tangs, I belive calvus and julies work well with shellies.

 

[Gavilb]

im looking for tanganikya community fish - what are the full names of calvus and julies??? sorry im a newbie!

 

[WaterBender1995]

with altolamprologus calvus you'll find them preditors to your shelldweller fry same with the Juliiochromis species, they'll even fight for floor space. If your looking for a calm Tanganyikan group the Cyprichromis leptosomas will be your best bet, they'll also use your upper part of the water column, max size I've seen is 5" and thats pushing it. When I was breeding them I had them with stapperssii shelldwellers and everyone got along great! I'll add that buying in a large group of 10-15 is your absolute best bet, they're a schooling fish so they need the numbers.
Need any more help feel free to PM me!

 

[dthoffsett]

My apologies for my bad suggestions, I'm a little shaky on Tang stocking.

Waterbender is definately your go to guy for stocking them though. Good luck and looking forward to seeing pics of your setup.

 

[Gavilb]

Thanks guys - i will go with the Cyprichromis leptosomas - they look like really nice fish. One more question though! Im going to get brevis shellies and Cyprichromis leptosomas. How many of each is a good number to start the community? and what sex should they be??

thanks very much

 

[jumpman]

Dont mean to rain on the parade but Cyprichromis Leptosoma are a fast shoalnig fish that need a lot of swimming room. They are also quite delicate fish so if they are cramped or unhappy can be prone to stress. In a tank your size a single male will claim about 1-2ft of territory (cubed!) Recommended minimum tank size is 4ft across.

Brevis sound like a great idea, start with two pairs with their own shells at each end of the tank.

My advice on tank mates would be a nice shoal of Paracyrichromis nigrippinis as these need less room than cyps but can be equally stunning. They like to hand around above tall piles of rock.

An ancistrus bristlenose or two for algae cleaning would also be a welcome addition.

HTH

jump

 

[Gavilb]

looks like youre right - cyps need at least 4 ft for swimming. but Paracyrichromis nigrippinis are about £30 each! any other ideas???

 

[WaterBender1995]

jumpman, what works for one might not work for another so no raining on anything, I have always found cyps to be hardy and bred extremely well for me. seems if there was a problem they wouldnt be so lusty B) and the females wouldnt have carried to term.
I stand by my suggestion as before...

 

[jumpman]

jumpman, what works for one might not work for another so no raining on anything, I have always found cyps to be hardy and bred extremely well for me. seems if there was a problem they wouldnt be so lusty B) and the females wouldnt have carried to term.
I stand by my suggestion as before...

Oh don't get me wrong, I have heard of others successfully breed them in 3ft tanks. There is no hard and fast rule with fish as we all know.

But I would still suggest 4ft would be better for them, and also this way you can prob have 1 or 2 more breeding males!