Small Africans? Which Shell Dwellers?

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jollysue

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I have a 10 usg with 8 little dwarf petrocolas. Darlin' happy little guys. The ph is around 8, because I keep shells in it. I was going to acclimate them to a lower ph and put them in a different tank. I thought perhaps with some 3" badis badis. But I just thought before I do that, they are so happy in their tank, is there an African that is suitable for a ten usg? These synos are less than two inches and the tank is well cycled with two AquaClear filters running on it. It has plants and shells w/ sand substrate. What do you think, any higher ph fish that would work?
 
such as? (sounds good--my petros might be dismayed if someone took their shells. :lol: )

I know nothing about them, but I will start looking.
 
OK a request to see the syno dwarf petrocolas:

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I had taken the shells out when these pics were taken, but there are some back in now. I will get more if I get some shell dwellers. I have a steady supply of Apple shells.
 
OK a request to see the syno dwarf petrocolas:

PA010026.jpg

PA010020.jpg

PA010025.jpg

PA010022.jpg


I had taken the shells out when these pics were taken, but there are some back in now. I will get more if I get some shell dwellers. I have a steady supply of Apple shells.


they are cool jollysue, thankyou!
 
Yes they are great little guys, always active. But they need a smaller African cichlid. I thought when I got them that they would be for my front rift tank, but they would make an expensive though tasty meal, I'm afraid. So OMTS is catching in my home. :blush:
 
i have a 100g on order, so when that gets here i am thinking of turning my 30 main i have into a tang tank, but you are right, tanks are adictive!
 
I think they are kinda grown up. They are over 10 months old. They were shipped to me in Feb. I get differing opinions on them in the Rift tanks with the fronts. It always ends up with "at your own risk."

So which shell dwellers should I be looking at.
 
There are several shell dwelers that will do just fine in a 10 gal. Neolamprologus brevis,
Neolamprologus multifasciatus, Neolamprologus similis, Lamprologus ocellatus and Lamprologus stappersi.

The best bet IMO would be Lamprologus ocellatus. You'll be happy to know that they are also one of the nicest looking! There is a gold form that is sometimes seen and these can really be beautiful. You will however need to find an actual pair, or purchase several and allow a pair to form. Anything other than a pair has a good chance of ending in trouble. They are very feisty and should hold up against your petrocolas, but I'm doubtful that they would be successful in raising and young.
 
Thanks Griz. I am now getting advice that the dwarf pets and no shellies can cohabit in less than 55 usg.

I asked about shellies because they were suggested. Is there something else that would work better? The dwarf pets must have an eco space in Lake Tanganika?

The pets seem to be doing very well in the 10 usg. I could manage a slightly larger tank in that space later. I just thought there would be something that could be with them happily in the higher ph. Otherwise I will probably soften their water and add them to some other tropical tank eventually. It is my understanding that they are difficult to breed.

About the couples thing with the Neolamprologus, I understand. I have apistos. The juvie females at least 50% of the time turn out to be sneaky males. :lol: Fortunately the males have not worn the females out and everyone is doing good in the community, although no babies.

So are you going to check Aquabid? I got most of my apistos from apistodave. Great fish.

I am really messing up the forum lines here. :lol:
 
Depending on what species on shell dweller you get, it may or may not work. They are aggressive and in a 10g there's not really alot of room for get away dashes. Just my opinion.
 
Yeah, thanks, jayjay. Looks like I need to look a little longer. I swore I would not start any more tanks and communities. It is possible that I would eventually put a 36" 20 usg in that spot. Then I think I could start a new community of something, but I might just as well like an apisto tank. So I am undecided for now.
 
There are several shell dwelers that will do just fine in a 10 gal. Neolamprologus brevis,
Neolamprologus multifasciatus, Neolamprologus similis, Lamprologus ocellatus and Lamprologus stappersi.

The best bet IMO would be Lamprologus ocellatus. You'll be happy to know that they are also one of the nicest looking! There is a gold form that is sometimes seen and these can really be beautiful. You will however need to find an actual pair, or purchase several and allow a pair to form. Anything other than a pair has a good chance of ending in trouble. They are very feisty and should hold up against your petrocolas, but I'm doubtful that they would be successful in raising and young.

Thats by far too much activity for such a small tank, considering both the petros and shellies would be competing for the same living space. Now in a larger tank it could work and could be stunning if thought out at length.
 
I haven't looked them up yet, but it was suggested I look into brichardi and juliochromis
 

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