Shelldweller Selection?

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#1
Feb 7, 2006
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#1
I've read over the species profiles and articles on the cichlid-forum.com site for a variety of Tang shelldwellers, and the following are the ones that most caught my attention:

Lamprologus stappersii ("meleagris")
Lamprologus speciosus ("black ocellatus")
Lamprologus ocellatus ("gold ocellatus")
Lamprologus brevis-M'toto ("M'toto zebra")

I've run it by two LFS's here...one of which outright says they can't get any of them, the other says they'd get back to me and "let me know" (yeah...sure...).

Can anyone point me to where I might go about obtaining any of these and/or tell me a bit about them if you've had experience with them? If they seem too "off the wall," could you suggest anything similar that might be more readily available?

Thanks.
BV
 

C

Cichlid-Man

MFT Staff
#2
Jul 9, 2003
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#2
ocellatus and brevis are going to be the easiest to get a hold of i do believe.

Reserve Stock Cichlids :: Lake Tanganyika :: Shell Dwellers has a few types of the kind you listed. I've never personally ordered from them but from what i hear they are reliable.

Have you checked aquabid? Or the cichlid-forum retailer review sections (lots of choices here)?

Check here too. Trading
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#3
Feb 7, 2006
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#3
That's perfect, Matt.
I checked out the reservestockcichlids.com page you provided the link to and, like you said, there are some there that I would definitely be interested in. I took a brief glance over at the trading link too, but nothing stood out right away...I'll have to check it out more closely later.

Leaning toward L. melegrise, but I think the L. ocellatus Gold are really cute. L. speciosus and L. brevis Zebra are also ones that I would be willing to go for out of the ones listed on the reservestockcichlids page you gave me the link to.

I'm thinking if I can't get something locally, I'll go with reservestockcichlids and/or places listed in the cichlid-forum retailer review section (which I still need to look at).

Definitely gives me a good start.

Thanks again.
BV
 

Orion

Orion

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#4
Feb 10, 2003
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#4
I would go for the ocellatus. I had a trio of brevis a couple of years back, and they were a nice fish to look at, for the most part they were rather inactive and just kind of sat around. The occies on the other hand will have no problems redecorating the tank as they see fit.

I miss my shellies.
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#5
Feb 7, 2006
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#5
Orion said:
I would go for the ocellatus...will have no problems redecorating the tank as they see fit.
I miss my shellies.
Click to expand...
Somehow I thought this thread might catch your attention, Orion.
Whatever happened with your shellies? Did you have gold ocellatus? I remember that you used to have brichardi (not technically 'shelldwellers') too, right?

Sorry...can't remember...
I think you were posting about those back when I avoided the Cichlid section of the forum like the plague. Either that or I wasn't even a member here yet. Not sure why I avoided this section though, because it's one of my favorite spots now! ;)

Actually, the brichardi I saw at a place here locally really caught my attention, as did the marlieri, along with some multies. That's when I decided to research the ones that were true shelldwellers out of the bunch, and the list I generated reflects these.

What I'm thinking is that my convicts, while entertaining at the moment, may likely end up becoming a tad overwhelming in their little 10 gallon setup. They've already spawned, so I'll let them raise a good chunk of this current brood, and then move on to shellies.

I'll probably get the gold ocellatus---simply because it sounds like they're more widely available than some of those other types I mentioned. Plus, I think they're the cutest of the bunch.

Oh...and your recommendation helps a lot too. Thanks! :)

I can always try my hand at the occies and then move onto something a little more 'exotic' later on down the road, if I so choose.

BV
 

Orion

Orion

Ultimate Fish
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#7
Feb 10, 2003
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#7
No I never kept the ocellatus, though always wanted too. Never really had a chance to get some. My L. brevis I ended up giving away localy, as well as some of my multies, but the majority of my multies went to Pure. lol, when I first started I avoided this forum like the plauge as well. :)

The brichardi and julie get to big for a 10 gallon. Each would need a min. 20 long as a species tank, and that would be pushing it IMHO. But, each is a very intersting species and quite worthy of a species only tank.

I'm always here to help in any way that I can. TANGANYIKA REPRESENT!
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#8
Feb 7, 2006
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#8
C-Man...thanks for the tips.

About the shells...
I've got a storage bin with shells in it that I had collected ages ago (20 years...OMG I'm old! :eek: ) from a family trip down to Sanibel Island, Florida.

I'll bust em' out later and post some pics.

I definitely want to use whatever I can from those, so I'm willing to do whatever steps you think might be necessary for disinfecting purposes, etc.

Orion said:
when I first started I avoided this forum like the plauge as well. :)
Click to expand...
Hehe...it's probably fairly common, I suppose.
I'm discovering that cichlids aren't really all that difficult or particularly sensitive or anything like that (the few that I've kept, anyhow :rolleyes: ), but I will say that they seem to be a lot 'trickier' than those of the non-cichlid FW world.

Once you set up proper territories, get the right numbers and balance of males/females, it seems pretty easy though.

Anyway...I'm going off on a tangent...

I appreciate the help, and I'll post some pics of those shells in the near future so you guys can give me some more feedback on whether or not you think they'll work.

BV
 

Dr.Gonzo

Dr.Gonzo

Large Fish
#9
May 21, 2006
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#9
Hey vine, if they end up breeding let me know. I've been looking for shellies for a while. I think the guy at Charlie's Angels said that he can order them so you might want to try there if you haven't. Also the guys at Aquapets and Paradise Cove are cool so you might want to try there too.
 

cinlnk

cinlnk

Large Fish
#10
Sep 10, 2005
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Who said anything about living? I merely EXIST!!!
#10
Pssst Sean..... We have a new LFS here in Lincoln... and guess what? She sells Shellies!!!!! She is specializing in hard to find Cichlids... and not your run of the mill bread and butter Cichlids... I picked up a little Brevis Sunday.. He sure is a Cutie.... Guards his shell like it was Fort Knox!!!!! The name of the Store is Jungle Exotics and Aquatics located at 33rd and Cornhusker Highway. She has been open about 3 months and I just found out about it. Her prices are really great also. Plus, if you want it, she will do her damnedest to find it for you!!!! Great little Store!!!!
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#12
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
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#12
Perfect! Thanks Cindy. :)
I googled it and couldn't find info., so if you could post it for me and Doc Gonzo, that would be great.

Doc Gonzo...I've been to all of those places except for Paradise Cove---where is that place located? Thanks.

BV
 

C

Cichlid-Man

MFT Staff
#14
Jul 9, 2003
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#14
Orion said:
I'm always here to help in any way that I can. TANGANYIKA REPRESENT!
Click to expand...
lol.

Big Vine said:
C-Man...thanks for the tips.

About the shells...
I've got a storage bin with shells in it that I had collected ages ago (20 years...OMG I'm old! :eek: ) from a family trip down to Sanibel Island, Florida.

I'll bust em' out later and post some pics.

I definitely want to use whatever I can from those, so I'm willing to do whatever steps you think might be necessary for disinfecting purposes, etc.
Click to expand...
Sounds good to me!

I avoid the Brakish section, Betta section, and livebearer section because they all have the plague. ;)
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#15
Feb 7, 2006
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#15
Cichlid-Man said:
I avoid the Brakish section, Betta section, and livebearer section because they all have the plague. ;)
Click to expand...
Hehe...I agree...except for maybe that last one.
Then again, many of my platies will be destined for the mouths of hungry cichlids, so it's all good. :p

BV
 

Dr.Gonzo

Dr.Gonzo

Large Fish
#16
May 21, 2006
287
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#16
I 411ed Jungle Exotics and Aquatics the number is 402-325-0387. The address is 3320 cornhusker highway. They have one shellie in right now so you better hurry because I'm heading there on Saturday to check everything out and pick it up if it is there. The chick there is pretty cool and said she can order just about any Tang and will have more shellies next week.
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#17
Feb 7, 2006
3,895
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#17
Thanks for the warning...I'll just go there first thing tomorrow morning then. You can save yourself the trip since I'll be getting that last shellie.

BV

P.S. Kidding...I'm not driving down in this cold just for one little shellie that I don't even know what species it is. :rolleyes:
 

Big Vine

Big Vine

Elite Fish
#18
Feb 7, 2006
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#18
Shells...lots of them! (pics)

The plan is to use most of these---unless you think some aren't suitable---with my (soon to be) gold ocellatas 10 gallon setup. Sand substrate.

Keep in mind that I don't want anything that is going to completely detract from the little fishies either, so I may leave out some of the more colorful stuff---unless you guys recommend otherwise. ;)

Thought these would work well for directly on the sand...especially if some get partially covered-up, which I won't mind terribly much since many of them are quite similar, and so there's plenty to go around.
(note the 3 coral-type rocks on the left in the first pic)




Here are my favorites, most of which I envision being used by the fish for refuge/breeding/territory purposes. Think they'd be suitable?




Next is a bunch of scallop shells. Think they're worth throwing in there, or would they detract too much (aside from a few of the plainer ones) from the fish? I really like the barnacle one on the right.


Finally, some miscellaneous items that I think might add some uniqueness to the aquascaping. What do you think?


Any suggestions on the type/color of sand to use?

BV
 

C

Cichlid-Man

MFT Staff
#19
Jul 9, 2003
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#19
Those should be good. Hope you don't mind me drawing on one of your pics...just picked out some that should be very good for them.



Also the ones that are small with the gold lip/inside. I've found that at least for Multis they tend to like smaller entrances/shells rather then the long entrances like on a conch or whelk (like a lightning whelk). No doubt the others can be used...just not sure how much actual use bigger shells will get.

I'm partial to white sand...but i've seen some nice black sand or black/white sand mixes.
 

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