Stocking Help - Shellies?

[fshinggrl]

I have a 14g cycled tank. I am looking to make it a species tank for a small cichlid. I was wondering what my options were!

I've heard of shell fish, but know there was one that was very aggressive and I've heard of Juli's. (Sorry for lack of names).

My ph is 8.

 

[fshinggrl]

Ok. As I see it, the options are:

• Neolamprologus Brevis
• N. multifaciatus
• N. similis
• N. ocellatus
• N. Meleagris

Is there one that is least aggressive? How many would I be able to stock in my 14gallon. Can I see a pic of a shell that would be acceptable so I know what to look for?

eta: added to list..

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

I don't know much about shellies, but isn't there a {something or other} Compressus "simbu"?

"telmatochromis temporalis swell" were recently sold by "Kevin82" in the classified, another shell dweller.

 

[ashemely]

I think your biggest concern with any shellie in the size tank you are working with is the males being aggressive with each other. The females will get a little nippy but nothing too extreme, at least in my experience with my Multis in a 12 gallon. I would say you would only be able to get one male in that size tank and two or three females. Sexing can be quite difficult for some of the breeds you have chosen. As for shells, most people use escargot shells as you can buy them in bulk for a decent price.

A site you may want to take a look at for further info on shellies:

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/results.php?genus=108

And a link to my journal for my cichlids, very outdated but lots of pics:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/315776-neolamprologus-multifasciatus-tank/

 

[kiriyama]

As above.....
Multies are an excellent starting point, tank to small for Julis (Julidochromis), as for Sumbu Dwarf ( tank size an issue again ), I would resommend Multies over Occies (Ocellatus), Multiies not as aggressive, what they lack in size they make up in character

http/www.cichlidrecipe.com/shellweb/shell_intro.htm

 

[fshinggrl]

Thank you. I appreciate the insight.

 

[bullit]

gonna start a shell dwellers tank shortly. Are the Escargot shells the best to get? how many should i have in a ten gallon? cheers

 

[kiriyama]

gonna start a shell dwellers tank shortly. Are the Escargot shells the best to get? how many should i have in a ten gallon? cheers

If its for Multies Escargot are fine, usually about 3 shells to fish is a good starting point, you can spread them like a bed or just arrange them in little groups, I have some unused of you're interested

 

[bullit]

will prob be brevis?

 

[kiriyama]

will prob be brevis?

Don't see any harm in usin the same amount of shells, the more shells the more places to hide, it they are anything like Multies they will probably bury shells to stop other fish using them

 

[demasonisrule]

In my 10 gal multi tank I have ~30 shells for 5 fish...1 male, 4 females. I must say, after my reef tank, they are soooo ugly, but they have just as much personality as many of my marine fish.