Shell Dwellers Turning Dark Grey

[fishstick]

I have had 3 neolamprologus multifaciatus in a community tank of 180 litres for 8 months. They are active and have had lots of fry. When I got them they were a very pale grey but over the months have gradually darkened to such a deep grey that their stripes don't show. Has anyone else experienced this colour change? My water is very hard.

 

[demonmagus]

not too sure, but what colour is the substrate? they might be nervous in your tank as well, but tbh I don't really know

 

[Nick Sw]

What are your water parameters ?

 

[denis coghlan]

20 wild neons, 6 cherry barbs, 2 sterbai corydoras, 4 sparkling gourami, 5 lampeye, 2 leopard danio, 4 phantom tetra, 2 threadfin rainbow, 3 zebra loach, 3 shelldwellers (+fry), 4 amano shrimps and 1 nerite snail. Also sand, rocks, bogwood and lots plants. No CO2, substrate heating or extra lights, yet.

Thats quite the community tank to have shelldwellers in! I think the forty eight other fish you have in the tank might be slighlty intimidating them. Shellies like being in a setup where there are territories and they can have their own space. The majority of community fish wont recognise this, thus this will lead to the shellies being stressed. Also what is the pH in your tank?

 

[Nick Sw]

Well put ! I missed the sig.

Shelldwellers need a High PH and High GH the opposite to some of the other occupants, I`m guessing the shelldwellers are stressed to hell either by unsuitable water params or aggressive tank mates hence the grey colouration.

 

[fishstick]

Thanks very much for the replies and I do acknowledge my tank is plenty full enough! However most of the other fish are under an inch and have long learned to stay well clear of the shell area and there is no territorial overlap. My shellies are my first concern and in good water- ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 8 and PH 8.5, I don't know what my GH is but my tap water is chalky and hard. I hadn't thought of them being stressed as their manner is so 'king of the castle' but have made plans now to move 11 fish to another tank. Again thanks.

 

[denis coghlan]

Your community tank seems like you have put a lot of work into the selecting and accumulation the fish. I would suggest to you that you shouldn't move the 11 (selected) fish to another tank and that it is the shell dwellers that you should be movoing. I am not sure moving one quarter of the fish stock will make any difference to the levels of stress on the Shellies.

If I was in your position I would setup a small species specific tank 10-15 gal tank just for the shellies. I have read and heard that they really do best on their own.

Below is a picture of shellie tank owned by Griz. I think its a great looking tank. If I had the space I would do one just like it.

 

[Griz]

That's really not a good environment for your multies. Do you have a male and female among the three? After 8 months they should have bred by now. Do you have shells for them? I'm surprised that they haven't taken a toll on some of your other fish. They are usually aggressive towards other fish but in your case they may just be overwhelmed.

I agree with tanks a lot, you should look into getting a 10 or 15 gal tank just for the multies. They will be much happier and you will enjoy them a lot more.

And thanks for the compliment! I'll have to post an updated pic one of these days, there's a lot more shells in that tank now.