How rare are shell dwellers (LFS)

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BYOB Kenobi

Small Fish
#1
Nov 7, 2006
16
0
0
#1
I have been to 3 LFSs and they all look at me like I'm asking for a white bengal tiger when I say I'm looking for multis. In fact, it's so hard to get them here in northern NJ that the dude who runs the awesome aquarium store in town told me if I can breed multis he'd love to have some in the store.

WTF?

I could have sworn that shell dwellers were pretty popular (but then again I lived about a mile from That Fish Place where they had everything). I don't have the cash to really fire up a tank right now, but I'm trying to get a line on some multis (or other tiny shell dwellers) and to research all I can so I know wtf I'm doing for when I DO have the money a month or two from now.

So far, no luck. Anyone else see this sort of shortage in their area?
 

B

BYOB Kenobi

Small Fish
#3
Nov 7, 2006
16
0
0
#3
I was not really... shocked, but it was interesting to hear the dude at the LFS tell me WHY he doesn't cary any neolamprologus (sp?):

"This is the American hobby. People want big, colorful, easy to take care of, non agressive fish."

He's in his 40s and has been doing this since he was 7 (took over his father's store). He loves what he does and gets lists of available fish from all over the world just about every week and he says he hasn't seen any shell dwellers on any lists for years. Also said I'm probably the first person to ask for a shell dweller in aprox 7 years.

He told me to look for breeders in the former Kosovo. I thought that was interesting.

So, how do I go about finding a source of shell dwellers here in Jersey? Just google it or is there some sort of registry like they have for specific dog breeds and such?
 

Orion

Orion

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#5
Feb 10, 2003
5,803
3
38
Kentucky
www.thefishcave.net
#5
That's a good place and check Aquabid.com as well under Tanganyikan fish.

You shouldn't have any big trouble finding some from a local club or breeder. I do find it odd that your LFS can't even get them though.

My LFS doesn't have them, but that's not saying much about shellies. They don't have much color, but they more than make up for it by personality. It is a shame that more people don't keep these fish as many people think that 10 gallons is more than enough room to keep 'fish' and these are few fish that can actualy live quite well in such small tanks.
 

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