Shell dwellers
- Thread starter tadpole
- Start date
Yes - it should be sand. They like to almost bury their shells, so considering the size of them, fine sand is perfect.
Playsand from your local DIY superstore is the simplest way to go - but wash it first or you'll be in dirty water. Half fill a bucket with sand and top it up with water - swish it about a bit, then pour off the murky water. Repeat that 3 times per batch and then dump it into your tank - you'll be clear at the first fill.
Playsand from your local DIY superstore is the simplest way to go - but wash it first or you'll be in dirty water. Half fill a bucket with sand and top it up with water - swish it about a bit, then pour off the murky water. Repeat that 3 times per batch and then dump it into your tank - you'll be clear at the first fill.
yep, typical sand you can buy for $2.99 at home depot or lowes works just fine. i usually go for a silica based sand.
IMO, you really almost NEED to use sand with shell dwellers.
if not kept on sand, you would really be missing out on a lot of natural shellie behavior.....though they wouldnt die from "gravel-poisoning" or anything like that
IMO, you really almost NEED to use sand with shell dwellers.
if not kept on sand, you would really be missing out on a lot of natural shellie behavior.....though they wouldnt die from "gravel-poisoning" or anything like that
The best person to speak to about shell dwellers that I know is Taffyfish, he has some already and has been really good with them, yes sand like the others have said and snail shells from what I have been told though I am about to set up a shell dweller tank myself and would prefer to use something a bit more fancy as the shells.... will that work ? I dont know.
MrsPurple - you're too nice!
Hi Tadpole. You've already had some good advice here, playsand is widely available and cheap, no need for any expensive marine sand from the lfs.
I've previously tried silica sand and found that ocellatus shred their fins on it, it's too sharp. Also tried a mix of silica sand, crushed coral and aquarium gravel - multis couldn't dig in it and only large ocellatus could move the gravel. I've found that playsand alone or a mix of black aquarium sand and playsand gives the shellies just what they want - the ability to dig, bury their shells, dig them out again, move them around, rebury them, unbury them...etc you get the idea?
It shouldn't really need saying that you need shells too, these are often more difficult to come by but just about any type of shell should do so long as the fish can get in and out (some marine shells are not smooth inside and the fish can get caught.) With all shellies, you need more shells than fish. They breed readily so be prepared to add more as the population expands!
You need to do some research on your shellies - if you go for multis or similis you need to place the shells in groups, if you go for ocellatus or meleagris you need to spread them around something like 3-4" apart. Multies, the male in the main, will dig to the bottom of the tank and build ramparts around his territory. Ocellatus will dug under their chosen shell to bury it leaving only the opening exposed. Males and females will cover unused shells in their territory.
With multis I would recommend that you put some flat stone or slate on the bottom of the tank and the sand substrate over. This way when the multies dig to the bottom they won't reveal the glass on the bottom.
Hi Tadpole. You've already had some good advice here, playsand is widely available and cheap, no need for any expensive marine sand from the lfs.
I've previously tried silica sand and found that ocellatus shred their fins on it, it's too sharp. Also tried a mix of silica sand, crushed coral and aquarium gravel - multis couldn't dig in it and only large ocellatus could move the gravel. I've found that playsand alone or a mix of black aquarium sand and playsand gives the shellies just what they want - the ability to dig, bury their shells, dig them out again, move them around, rebury them, unbury them...etc you get the idea?
It shouldn't really need saying that you need shells too, these are often more difficult to come by but just about any type of shell should do so long as the fish can get in and out (some marine shells are not smooth inside and the fish can get caught.) With all shellies, you need more shells than fish. They breed readily so be prepared to add more as the population expands!
You need to do some research on your shellies - if you go for multis or similis you need to place the shells in groups, if you go for ocellatus or meleagris you need to spread them around something like 3-4" apart. Multies, the male in the main, will dig to the bottom of the tank and build ramparts around his territory. Ocellatus will dug under their chosen shell to bury it leaving only the opening exposed. Males and females will cover unused shells in their territory.
With multis I would recommend that you put some flat stone or slate on the bottom of the tank and the sand substrate over. This way when the multies dig to the bottom they won't reveal the glass on the bottom.
tadpole, your spelling was spot on mate, no worries there - maybe just call them multis like many of us do, it's easier on the brain and keyboard! ;-)
Like Starbury03 says, they dig - I would strongly recommend that you add some flat rock, like slate, to the bottom of the tank, then add about 2" of sand, then a bunch of shells. The adults will dig the sand under and around the shells until they hit rock bottom (literally) and will pile up the sand to build ramparts. If you're starting with a pair make a group of 5 or 6 shells rather than spread them around the tank. If you go for 1m and 2f you'll need one group of shells per female.
I have a 20g multi tank at work, placed on a filing cabinet at arm's reach, it's brilliant. My pair have 18 young so I've got a real community going now. There's a pair of juvie syno petricola for added interest and they never get close to the fry - the smell of eggs and fry must drive them crazy at times but the male multi is very vigilent. Best wishes for your set up.
Like Starbury03 says, they dig - I would strongly recommend that you add some flat rock, like slate, to the bottom of the tank, then add about 2" of sand, then a bunch of shells. The adults will dig the sand under and around the shells until they hit rock bottom (literally) and will pile up the sand to build ramparts. If you're starting with a pair make a group of 5 or 6 shells rather than spread them around the tank. If you go for 1m and 2f you'll need one group of shells per female.
I have a 20g multi tank at work, placed on a filing cabinet at arm's reach, it's brilliant. My pair have 18 young so I've got a real community going now. There's a pair of juvie syno petricola for added interest and they never get close to the fry - the smell of eggs and fry must drive them crazy at times but the male multi is very vigilent. Best wishes for your set up.
With the right conditions they will breed readily and frequently, you'll have a community in no time. So start small, a pair or 1m and 2f is all you need.
Males are larger than females, like twice the size when fully grown, females also tend to go a darker, ruddy brown colour when in breeding condition. I would have no idea how to vent such small fish! :-S
When you go to the lfs, hopefully they will keep them in a tank with shells. Look for a pair that are interacting around a particular shell, if you're really lucky they will dive into the same shell when the attendant sticks his hands or net in the water. A good store will let you keep the shells too.
Males are larger than females, like twice the size when fully grown, females also tend to go a darker, ruddy brown colour when in breeding condition. I would have no idea how to vent such small fish! :-S
When you go to the lfs, hopefully they will keep them in a tank with shells. Look for a pair that are interacting around a particular shell, if you're really lucky they will dive into the same shell when the attendant sticks his hands or net in the water. A good store will let you keep the shells too.
Hiya Taffy
Over the next few days I intend to start setting up the tank for the shellys in probably the dining room cos then I can watch them a lot.
I will let you know when this is done and then if ya fancy a visit your be more than welcome *grins*
I hope you and your delightful wife are well
Red... looking out for the fish ... is that with or with out chips Sir LOL
Over the next few days I intend to start setting up the tank for the shellys in probably the dining room cos then I can watch them a lot.
I will let you know when this is done and then if ya fancy a visit your be more than welcome *grins*
I hope you and your delightful wife are well
Red... looking out for the fish ... is that with or with out chips Sir LOL