Stocking An 18g With Shelldwellers

[CAC]

Im looking to restock my 18 US gallon tank(24x12x15h"), and I was wondering what species and what options I have with shelldwellers.
My water has a pH of 7.2 so I imagine I will need to higher that, whats the best way of doing that?
The tank doesnt have a lid, will they be ok without one, I imagine being bottom dwellers that they would be unlikely to jump..?
There are a couple of species that Im really interested in. One is Lamprologus stappersii and the other is Neolamprologus calliurus but I like most of the species anyway...So what would I be best at doing with stocking, and I assume I could have no other tankmates? Can I have a couple of species or is it best to keep just one species?
EDIT: Also, does anyone know wheres best to get these fellas? Are there any sites/companys that focus on shelldwellers?

Cheers, Mike

 

[Teelie]

Im looking to restock my 18 US gallon tank(24x12x15h"), and I was wondering what species and what options I have with shelldwellers.
My water has a pH of 7.2 so I imagine I will need to higher that, whats the best way of doing that?
The tank doesnt have a lid, will they be ok without one, I imagine being bottom dwellers that they would be unlikely to jump..?
There are a couple of species that Im really interested in. One is Lamprologus stappersii and the other is Neolamprologus calliurus but I like most of the species anyway...So what would I be best at doing with stocking, and I assume I could have no other tankmates? Can I have a couple of species or is it best to keep just one species?
EDIT: Also, does anyone know wheres best to get these fellas? Are there any sites/companys that focus on shelldwellers?

Cheers, Mike

Don't do more than a pair or maybe a trio with stappersi. Too aggressive for a tank that size. L/N brevis is probably a better choice.

http/shelldwellers.com is your best place to get information.

 

[CAC]

OK then thanks for that. It seems I cant really find the Lamprologus stappersii anyway, however I have found a site which has a load of differant shelldweller species. From their site, I was thinking of keeping Lamprologus Ocellatus, Neolamprologus buescheri, Neolamprologus leleupi or Neolamprologus caudopunctatus "red fin". Do you know much about these fishes temprements? Could I keep a couple of two species? I imagine that the leleupi would get too big for my tank, but I think the others would be ok...Dartford aquatics have quite a few other species of shelldwellers, so if there are any that would be reccomended then have a look: http/www.dartfordaquatics.co.uk/fish.asp...15&fSub=133

Thanks, Mike

 

[pmdf]

I wouldn't keep either buescheri or leleupi in a tank that size, as they are quite territorial and can be aggressive, as well as arguably needing a bit more room. Having said that, you could keep just a pair of buescheri in there, but that's a tank better for those with some experience breeding similar lamprologines already IMO.

Caudopunctatus are well worth considering and have great temperaments, but I wouldn't keep them with shelldwellers as, although often not described as shelldwellers themselves, they can and do use them for spawning. They'll end up squabbling with the shellies for the same resources. They're great looking fish though and I've been meaning to set aside a tank for a couple of pairs for a while now.

And for the same reason, only go for a single species of shelldwellers in anything other than a very large tank, otherwise they will all be competing for the same territory. A small harem of ocellatus (perhaps 1 male and 3 females) would work well in a tank that size, as would a colony of N. multifasciatus (which would be my choice as I have a little colony of these little fellas on the go myself at the moment and they're fascinating!).

 

[CAC]

Thanks for the info pmdf
So basiacally then I could choose any of the smaller (would you say 8cm as the max?) species and have them as the only species then? Some of the other species look pretty cool, and theres one, Neolamprologus cylindricus which I really like the look of, but at 10.4cm (fishbase says, so likely about 8cm in aquaria) it would probably be a little big to keep a pair in my tank? The good thing about them aswell though is that they have pH requirements which are within the range of my water as it is now anyway.

 

[Xebadir]

Great to see another coming to our side of the shellie park.

Shellies are pretty diverse, i keep a Caudo and a single brevis. Brevis are awesome little guys, with lots of attitude on a micro scale: in fact with a tank that large your could probably get at least 2 pairs set up there comfortably with some dither fish.
Caudopunctatus im still trying to evaluate, got given one that was misshipped. So far found them to have very interesting behaviour, but less aggressive than the brevis. Currently they coexist rather happily.

It really depends on what your looking for in a tank: attitude is something you wont be short on. With the Brevis sparse shell densities work well: pretty well 1 per fish will keep them satiated(even though sometimes they share a room): you can also keep 2 females to 1 male with no trouble. For an intial stocking id go with 2 pairs and see how you go. Goodluck.

 

[CAC]

Ok thanks for the advice, I think that ill go for that, with two pairs of something that pretty small, or would it be possible to keep a pair of buescheri like pmdf said, and then a Synodontis Petricola? I hear that those synos only get to 3.5" so I could easily house one (or would a group be better?) with a couple of the bigger "shellies".
Also, like you said with keeping two pairs, which dither fish would you reccomend and in what quantitys?

Thanks, Mike

 

[pmdf]

Ok thanks for the advice, I think that ill go for that, with two pairs of something that pretty small, or would it be possible to keep a pair of buescheri like pmdf said, and then a Synodontis Petricola?

Just to qualify that, I meant that it's possible for experienced breeders of these territorial lamprologines to keep a pair of buescheri in a tank that size, only as an exception to my comments that I would not recommend it otherwise. I certainly wouldn't add anything else to the tank even in that case. Besides, S. petricola are very social fish and thrive in groups.

I honestly think you'd be far better off keeping a couple of pairs of brevis, a small colony of 4-5 multifasciatus or a small harem of 3-4 (max 1 male) ocellatus as described above.

 

[CAC]

Ok thanks for the advice, I think that ill go for that, with two pairs of something that pretty small, or would it be possible to keep a pair of buescheri like pmdf said, and then a Synodontis Petricola?

Just to qualify that, I meant that it's possible for experienced breeders of these territorial lamprologines to keep a pair of buescheri in a tank that size, only as an exception to my comments that I would not recommend it otherwise. I certainly wouldn't add anything else to the tank even in that case. Besides, S. petricola are very social fish and thrive in groups.

I honestly think you'd be far better off keeping a couple of pairs of brevis, a small colony of 4-5 multifasciatus or a small harem of 3-4 (max 1 male) ocellatus as described above.

Allright then, I think I aggree...How many similis could I keep in that tank, because arent they the smallest of all the shellies?

 

[pmdf]

Similis are very similar to multis - in fact that's where they got their scientific name from ("similar" to multifasciatus), so the same rules apply. A small colony of four or five would be fantastic in a tank that size, and given decent conditions they may well provide you with babies which will grow up into additional members of the colony. You could maybe add one or two more to start with, but it's more fun to leave some space to rear your own alongside the parents.

As with multis, similis live in and above dense beds of shells, rather than occupying isolated shells like ocellatus or brevis. As such, try and provide them with as many shells as possible. I have around 25-30 shells in a 10 gallon tank with 4 multis, so that gives you a ratio to compare to! Apple snail shells are good, as are escargot shells which can be ordered off of eBay. Neothauma shells from Lake Tanganyika are even better, but quite hard to get hold of. I got mine off of eBay, but they don't turn up often.

Whatever you choose, enjoy your fish - shellies are great characters and I'm sure you'll become as hooked as we are!

 

[CAC]

Ok then, so basically a load of shells and id probably have 5 fish in there to begin with. Not sure whether id go with similis or the multis but they both look pretty cool...
Thanks for the help guys, when I get them ill post some pics and info

Thanks, Mike

 

[pmdf]

Actually I've just read on this link http/www.finsout.com/fish/similisinfo.html that similis can be more aggressive than multis, so you may want to watch how many you add. Multis may be a safer bet if you want numbers. I ordered mine from www.trimar.co.uk if you're looking for some.

 

[CAC]

Oh right really? I might just go with the mulits then, theyre cheaper too, which means I can get more shells and put a bit of money towards an external filter Ill check out trimar now, I know of anther site with them anyway though so its not too bad.
I really want to order them, cos I could be in on tuesday, but then Im off on holiday for two weeks on thursday, and I dont think theyd take to kindly to being fed every 3 days or so like hte other fish will be, not when theyre just settling in atleast...

CHeers, Mike

 

[stang1]

I went for Multis in my tank and have no regrets at all. I've got 4 males and 4 females in a 48g tank with Fluval 4+ filter.
I've got sand in the bottom, some tufa rock, a few cobbles and about 35 shells. I've had 3 lots pair off but the remaining male and female show no interest in each other. One of the pairs had 8 babies over a week ago and the second pair had two babies. Sadly, the two fry died but my other 8 are all growing well.
They really are a fantastic little fish and I must confess, I do spend far too much time watching them.

 

[CAC]

I went for Multis in my tank and have no regrets at all. I've got 4 males and 4 females in a 48g tank with Fluval 4+ filter.
I've got sand in the bottom, some tufa rock, a few cobbles and about 35 shells. I've had 3 lots pair off but the remaining male and female show no interest in each other. One of the pairs had 8 babies over a week ago and the second pair had two babies. Sadly, the two fry died but my other 8 are all growing well.
They really are a fantastic little fish and I must confess, I do spend far too much time watching them.

Cool, I think ill have to get some, they sound pretty cool. Cheers everyone