Shell Dwellers?

[KribFreak]

any info on shell dweller cichlids. what size tank would you recommend for a community of them. what do they eat? are they egg layers or mouthbrooders? can i use hermit crab shells and line the bottom of the tank with them and have 1 or 2 medium sized rocks in there? is there any plants that i could put in there? what about substrate or gravel? what water conditions? what would be some easy species to take care of and breed?

 

[fish_r_great]

Sand is usually prefered.
Tangs need around a Ph of 8.0-9.0
Shells should be 1" wide and 2" deep and you should boil them also you should have at least 2-3 times more shells than shell dwellers.
Cichlid food works
Rocks should be fine you should also boil these and if they are to big people have used bleach and then washed them good or ran the rocks under HOT water.
As far as I know they lay their eggs in their shells.
You could do 5 of these Neolamprologus multifasciatus
in a 10 gallon although some people have kept 20+ in a 10 gal.
I would see what shell dwellers are avalible to you and then research a breed that you like.

HTH

 

[aberdeen aquarist]

Tangs need around a Ph of 8.0-9.0

mine live and breed in a pH of 7.5, so 8.0 is not necessary to keep them healthy.