Shell Dweller Tankmates

[nosoop4u]

So I am trying to get a 55 U.S. gallon tank or a 50 U.S. breeder tank for some Tanganyikan Shell Dwelling Cichlids. I am very interested in Brevis and Cadopunctatus. Would I be able to keep those 2 types of Cichlids together with plenty of shells. I was thinking 2 or 3 pairs of Brevis and the same number of Caudopunctatus. Would that number of fish be compatible with some Dwarf Gouramis, Khuli Loaches, and Yo-yo Loaches as far as aggression goes (the 3 types of non-Cichlid are not picky about water type.) If not, what types of fish would be compatible with my chosen Shellies?

Nosoop

 

[Xebadir]

Gday,
As you might see from my sig im running brevis/caudo(lack of supply is my problem).

Make sure you have sufficient shells, and you will likely need caves for the Caudo(as they are actually a shell breeder).
Brevis territories are around 6 inches spherical diameter, so generally not a problem. 3 Brevis pairs and 2 Caudo pairs(youd have to check out the aggressive behaviour between males(although i think itd be ok) and make your judgement from there). This would also leave room for your own fish to breed out and colonise the tank.

Dwarf Gouramis i would steer away from, they do not like hard water, and are extremely prone to disease and fast death.
Kuhli's and Yoyos also arent gonna work in a tank like this, intollerant of the hard, high pH water. If you were looking in that genus id suggest something like a BN: if you really wanted you could go an albino pair, they have enough that theyd handle the SD agression. If you really wanted to make it a nice tank you could work on a tanganikan community theme: keep it biotype but for BN. Maybe look into some of the other Tanganikans? or alternatively could go for some rainbow dither.

If you were looking for a stocking for this tank on a Tanganikan theme this might be interesting:
Cyprichromis leptosoma 8 http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1467
Altolamprologus calvus pair http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1578
Neolamprologus Caudopunctatus 2-3 pairs http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1590
Neolamprologus brevis 3 pairs http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1743

If you were going to go with such a tank, id go for sand/crushed coral, with rocky cave areas and open shell space for shellies. Shell density wouldnt have to be too high: just make sure at least 1 per brevis(and progeny), and say a few for the caudos.

It would make a really nice tank, very colourful and unusual: and you could add something like a BN i think.

 

[nosoop4u]

Thanks. Are there any fairly large fish that could be kept with the Shell Dwellers that would swim middle to top levels, I looked into Discus, but the water qualities are too different.

 

[Xebadir]

Have a look at the links in there by clicking on them : the Altolamprogus are a very pretty and up to 6" fish that could go in with shellies, just look at that one on that site. The Cyprichromis leptosoma are a larger fish too and absolutely stunning.