Tanganyikan Shell Dwellers

[ncjharris]

Ok, so our trusty fantial goldfish passed away a fortnight ago (sniff - been with us a while too) and something we had said we would look at when his tank was free was keeping some shellies.

So we have been researching, set up the tank and its now approaching the end of its cycle (ammonia down to 0, nitrites at 0.25, coming down from the spike).
As this is our first foray into Cichlids, I just wanted to run it past you guys and see what you thought, and also ask a few questions I haven't been able to find the answers too.

The tank is 15 gallons UK (figure 12 with the rocks/sand etc), with an internal filter and heater. The substrate is sand (about 2 inches deep) and the rest of the decor is rocks - puddlestones, oh and shells, lots of shells of varying size!

We've been looking at two different types, the neo brevis and the multifacitus, both of which I have seen annotated as 'beginners cichlids'. Based on research alone, we figured two pairs would be ok in our tank - we have set it up so there are two distinctive 'domains' for them that are far apart, although I would expect a lot of aquascaping from them once they are in anyway!

My main concern really is that if we do go for two pairs, that they are sexed correctly - I understand getting the allocation of the sexes wrong isn't good. Alternativley, would it be better to go for one male and two females?
Is there anyway to sex them, or would (should?) the LFS beable to do this, or sell them as a proven pair?

Thanks for reading, and in advance for your comments!!

 

[Fella]

Hey

I did pretty much the same thing, switched from goldfish to shelldwellers and I can offer some advice I guess!

We're using a 15 US gallon Juwel rekord 60 for our Lamprologus Multifasciatus. Our substrate is deep sand (maybe 2.5 to 3 inches) and I have planted some Amazon Swords, Vallis and Twisted Vallis. There's a single lava rock in there too, with some Java Moss growing over it. Most people don't bother with plants, as Multi's just aquascape tanks however they want, and I've basically had to plant wherever they choose not to dig.

Originally we bought 3 Multis. 1 larger fella (considered to be the male) and 2 smaller, darker females. In the store we got them from they all hid in their shells, so we more or less bought 3 shells, however, we got a stowaway as 2 fish hid in a single shell! That brought us up to 2 males and 2 females.

The tank itself is easy to clean, with a small bioload. It's been running since september, and we saw our first fry a fortnight ago. Sadly however, the large male passed on, from what I can only assume was old age as he was a giant in Multi terms! He was quite spectacular.

The shells we use are escargot ones. They're not too small, not too big, and don't look horrific. Some of them have a touch of algae on and it looks great! If you do a search for them, you can find them for sale in the catering trade to french restaurants.

With the multis, it's worth noting that they rarely, if ever, go within about 5 inches of the surface, even during feeding. That means it can feel a bit like a wasted tank, but as long as you have plenty going on near the bottom, they're still fascinating fish. Their behaviour is unique, hiding in shells, turning the shells round, collapsing piles of shells etc. Their constant displaying and personalities is great as well, the fish look near identical, but we can tell who is who from their personalities.

Multis are said to breed like mad, but like I say, we've only just started getting fry. The eggs are laid in the shells, and the fry live in them until they're brave enough to venture out. I feed them on liquifry number 2, but I'm quite sure they'd be able to manage without it, and it's a "just in case" scenario.

Tank mates are virtually non-existent to be honest. Some people have luck with fish like zebra danios etc swimming near the surface, and hatchet fish and that kind of thing, but I purchased a rubberlipped pleco (after hearing great stuff about other peoples experiences with them) and he didn't last a night sadly. He was pestered to death in the tank by the brooding fish and didn't make it sadly, which was a shame to say the least. Had the tank been bigger however, I'm sure he would have had a better chance.

All in all they're fantastic fish, and I really recommend them! After xmas I'm planning on a tank upgrade for these guys, for a bigger footprint, and then adding a few more cichlid species. They're lovely.


Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Here's a picture of the large male who has since moved on.

 

[mamafish68]

http/www.finsout.com./words/shell4.html

I'm sorry but I just think thats way too small. One pair would be more suitable then two.
FINSOUT.COM is an excellent site to Educate yourself with. Enjoy

I have 4 of these guys in a 48 breeder and there are still major tussles!

 

[freddyk]

Brevis and Multifasciatus are two different types of shelldwellers. It sounds like Multis are the one for you.

Brevis are pairing cichlids from areas that are sparse in shells. They need few, and a pair will often even share one. In this case a coulple of pairs is right on. Don't expect them to be sexed correctly, it's better to get a group and let them pair off themselves.

Multis are colony breeders, living in areas that are thick with thousands of collected shells, in huge groups. You can't have too many shells. Start with a group of 6 and there is a good chance the fish will work out it out and you'll be able to keep them all, unless you run into some real bad luck and end up with 5 males or something.

 

[ncjharris]

Thanks for your replies so far.

The tank is almost cycled, and we've been looking at what the LFS have and asking some questions there too.

Another shellie suggested to us was neolamprologus brichardi; another tanganyikan cichlid. These too look impressive, and from what I have read are another alternative to the multis or the brevis.
Just wondered if you guys had any thoughts on these, or experience.

As I understand they are easier to breed, and pair off for life, establishing 'hareems' of several females to a male.
Although breeding isn't the reason for establishing this tank, we wouldn't mind if they did, and espcially want a set up where everyone gets on!

 

[freddyk]

Brichardi is a cave dweller that reaches about 5" long. Nice fish, but a 15 gallon is just too small for them.

 

[mamafish68]

My experience with Brichardi was similiar to my convict days.
in short, brichardi are the breeding rats of the Tanganyikans. with in a year I had hundreds.
now to see them in a HUGE tank....WOW!!!!!!

 

[ncjharris]

Thanks for all your help and comments.

Today we bought four multis - looks like we have 1 male and 3 females, but if it turns out the females are smaller juvenile males then we've arranged to return them.

They have spent the best part of this afternoon exploring their new habitat; investigating the shells and generally starting to feel at home (we hope!).

I am looking forward to keeping these guys!

 

[Fella]

Thanks for all your help and comments.

Today we bought four multis - looks like we have 1 male and 3 females, but if it turns out the females are smaller juvenile males then we've arranged to return them.

They have spent the best part of this afternoon exploring their new habitat; investigating the shells and generally starting to feel at home (we hope!).

I am looking forward to keeping these guys!

That's great news! Keep us updated with pics and the like.

What shells did you go for in the end?

 

[ncjharris]

Well - we wanted to go with something similar to their natural habitat - but were a bit stuck for supplies.

So we opted for a bit of a mix-match. We have 4-5 barnacle clusters, a couple of cowie shells and some conches.
As it happened we visited France the day after we obtained the shells, and there were more escargot than you could shake a stick at!
Despite the 'random' nature of the habitat, they have all taken to them well, and the male has also staked the pile of rocks in the middle as his own.