Shelldweller Nubie...

[bogwood]

Just want to run this buy you all to see if I have understood the basics...

I have an empty 20G (60x40x45cm) tank with double fluoros (daylight and plantgro bulbs), a Fluval 2 Plus internal filter and a Tronic 100w heater...

... I want an unusual set up - in terms of tank 'look' and fish 'behaviour' - that fits my high PH of '8.5', so am considering getting six 'n. multifasciatus' for this tank size... 2M and 4F...

... the tank will have 2 to 3 inches of Silica sand as a substrate and some slate pieces to create 'caves'...

... plant-wise there will be 2 x 4 inch high Java Ferns attached to small pieces of bogwood and some mid-size Vallis... and maybe Amazon Frogbit Dwarf Lillies for the surface to help lower the light levels a little...

... there will be approx 15 (overkill?) 'escargot' or 'apple' snail shells scattered over the substrate, ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches in size...

...my PH is constant at 8.5... Am: 0, Ni: 0 and Na <20...

Question about tankmates: something for the middle/top layers of the tank... placid and fast moving (to escape shelldweller aggro)... any suggestions?... Tetras?

I'm not sure if this tank has a big enough 'footprint' for six 'n. multifasciatus'... opinions please...

 

[bogwood]

Question about tankmates: something for the middle/top layers of the tank... placid and fast moving (to escape shelldweller aggro)... any suggestions?... Tetras?

I've just found out a little about 'Cyprichromis leptosoma'... apparently this is a good 'dither' and will swim in the middle/upper layers...

 

[ncjharris]

Sounds about right.

Some points though - your plants may not last too long. While n. multifaciatous is not as destructive as some Chiclids, they will rearange the tank, mainly the sand. If there are plants in the way you could find them buried or floating!
After they have put things the way they want (a week or two) you should be able to see where you can plant something. Valis is good for these tanks, as is anything that grows quickly and without too many roots.

The females will take a spot each. This may be a shell, or it maybe a cave. The males will flit around the females, although with two you may have to make sure that there is lots of broken line of sight in case they get very terratorial.

As for tank mates - we have nothing (except some malaysian trumpets to stir the sand up), as the tank is a bit smaller than yours and we now have lots of fry! There are quite a few stories around about what can go with shellies, but as a rule of thumb they stay away from the top of the tank.

 

[freddyk]

there will be approx 15 (overkill?) 'escargot' or 'apple' snail shells scattered over the substrate

Not at all, you can't have too many shells for Multi's, they love them in piles. You may scatter the shells randomly, but the fish will dig and move them together and rearrange your plans anyway.

6 of these is no problem in a 20. You can try certain top dwelling species like some rasbora's or danio's, but tetra's are more middwellers and will probably end up harassed by the cichlids.

'Cyprichromis leptosoma' are nice and unique fish but need much more then a 20 gallon.

 

[diademhill]

I keep Ameca splendens over my shellies - a hard water loving, algae eating goodied. 20g is too small for Cyprichromis.
I would loose the wood & any attempt at making caves - multis are serious excavators.
I have some java fren attached to granite which works well. Any rocks used must be directly on the tank bottom & I would not use more than about an inch of sand - it will get moved & piled up and any more will cause sandslides.
With two trios you need three heaps of shells

 

[Ginge]

Oh and also i wouldnt go with bogwood.

 

[mamafish68]

cyps do better in groups of 10 or more, dont think your 20 is enough...
keep in mind something that can tollerate your high PH, (I'd give my soul for that ph!!!!!)
another thought, shellies are persnickety lil guys and have personalities your going to love!!!
Why crowd the tank?

VIVA LA SHELLIES!!!!!!!

 

[bogwood]

shellies are persnickety lil guys and have personalities your going to love!!! Why crowd the tank?

mamafish68 you're right... the more I think about it, I'm coming round to the idea of just 5-6 Shellies with no other fish...

... btw, does anyone in the UK (Berkshire) have for sale - or know where I can buy - some juvenile Shellies? My lfs will have to order them in at a silly price...

 

[mamafish68]

my recomendation, find a cichlid club!!!
great blood lines
great care is given by hobbiests
great prices
great fellowship too!!!

clubs ROCK!
besides, where else can you go talk about fish and not get that funny look by peeps? LOLOL

 

[ncjharris]

we've got multi's coming out of our ears! Lots of fry - about 3 months old at the moment. The biggest is around 1-2cm (inc tails).

In Surrey (nr Guildford)