Shellies??

[FroggyFox]

Hey I need some assistance. I've talked to a few of you that I know have cichlids...now I'm lookin for some more help.

I've heard shell dwellers reccomended by some of you several times...but um...what are those?? Does anyone have some good sites?

Someone mentioned that I could probably find them at a good lfs...but I've been wandering around them quite a bit lately particularly looking at the cichlids and I haven't seen any of them that live in shells. Would they have shells with them in the store? What kind of shells?

OK main reason I'd like to know some more about them is because I have this cute little 5G that I'd like to do something different with. Obviously I'll move the guppies out of it. But I'd like to try a cichlid...and from what I'm hearing no one thinks that keeping a cichlid in a 5G (except maybe a shellie) would work well. I was thinking of maybe keeping a demasoni in there (yes by itself)...but someone said they need a lot more than that even though they only get to like 4 inches. -=sigh=- ANYWAY some input would be nice.

BTW If one person flips out on me for wanting to put a fish in a 5G or suggests getting a Betta I'm going to kick them. NO I dont have room for another bigger tank, tryin to make the best of the space I have!

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[greendragon]

I think a pair of Neolamprologus multifasciatus,would do alright in a 5 gallon as they are a more relatively calm species,but i wouldn't try Neolamprologus brevis as I've heard thier quite a bit more aggressive.As far as shells go thier called Neothauma Shells.I have no idea where to get them locally, but you can get them here and he also has shelldwellers as well.

http://www.exotic-cichlids.com/

I've been using large hermit crab shells myself and my multies seem to like them,you should be able to get them at any lps that sells hermit crabs.
You could go to your nearest aquarium society meeting or auction and someone there is bound to have what you are looking for,if you can't find it at the stores around you or you can get shellies from here:

http://www.ohiexchange.com/armke/

http://www.cichlidlovers.com/

I'm sure someone will come by with more info for you.

 

[FroggyFox]

thanks greendragon! I will check those sites you said out...(as well as the ones that others of you have PMed me with.)

If anyone has other sites I can check out...or if you have a shell dweller tank right now and could give me some pointers please let me know

 

[wayne at home]

The obvious site for this is www.cichlidrecipe.com - desktop cichlid setp is all for shellies. A 5 long might be ok, but I'd have thought a 5 is a bit tight, or you could try a pair of apistos, but if they decide to breed that might become a single (female kills male). The cichlidrecipe also has stock plans for larger tanks, but a lot of people think they're overstocked, and they would be high maintenance
I would never try to keep a larger active cichlid like a deamsoni in a 5 - it'll stay aliive, but it simple isn't humane.

 

[SoulFish]

I find the setups that cichlid recipe says are usually way over stocked and in tanks too small

 

[FroggyFox]

The tank that they would be going into is the tank in this thread http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11996 (obviously I'll be removing the guppies to another tank hehe)

Soulfish...that opinion is ok...but then can you let me know what your take would be of putting a pair of shell dwellers in a 5G? I believe the "recipe" I read last night suggested 6 in a 10G...so I would think a pair in a 5 sounds just as reasonable.

I did read on cichlidrecipe last night...and its a good site...but still there were only a couple pictures of these guys...and not much info. Real good for someone who hasn't ever had a tank and needs to know how to care for fish in general...

The reason I was thinking a single fish was because I dont want to run into a breeding situation really...just something interesting for this tank thats sitting on my coffee table Plus my water is perfect for cichlids. I think demasoni isn't one of the "larger" cichlids...they get up to 4 inches tops. Not like those "cool purple ones" I saw that get up to like 8-11 inches.

 

[Flex26]

Originally posted by SoulFish
I find the setups that cichlid recipe says are usually way over stocked and in tanks too small

Soulfish, what do you think of the cookie cutters on www.cichlid-forum.com ? Same as the cichlid recipe?

Foggyfox, if you haven't already, check out cichlid-forum's Shelldweller Corner. They have some good information on shellies. Plus, look for the cookie cutter section of that site. They have some suggestions for a 10g. You might be able to derive a good plan for your 5g.

 

[Managuense]

i dont see a problem with your idea in the least. most people find that multies are pretty sedentary, and dont move much more than a few inches from their chosen shell.
M

 

[moricollins]

multis would work in that tank, but nothing larger than that, shells are a must obviously, you could add some rocks and stuff too to make it more natural looking.

and some of the cichlid-forum cookie cutters are over stocked too, you need to do your own research... i wouldn't trust theirs... but that said, i did copy one of their recipes, but in a larger tank.

 

[TaffyFish]

I would agree that a pair of multies COULD eek out an existence in a 5 gallon tank, but a pair of males would fight to the death and a pair of females would be very boring.......a male and female would breed of course....so you'd have a few more in no time. If you want to keep a single fish in a 5 gallon get a betta.

The main problem I see with a 5 gallon is that it's so damned unstable, it's such a small amount of water to try to keep under control.

Part of the fun in observing shellies is to see how they maintain their territories - where's the reward if the territory is restricted by the walls of the tank?

 

[FroggyFox]

-=kicks Taffyfish as promised=- but thanks for your help with the subject at hand.

The 5G is doing well. I've had it up and cycled for several months, the temperature is steady as it is in a very protected part of the house. I would agree that smaller tanks are hardER to control...but so far so good, and its not like this is my first tank.

 

[Flex26]

Originally posted by moricollins
and some of the cichlid-forum cookie cutters are over stocked too, you need to do your own research... i wouldn't trust theirs... but that said, i did copy one of their recipes, but in a larger tank.

i think i did my own research....i found a couple websites that discussed shell dwellers. the websites provided some stocking suggestions that seem contrary to this forum's opinion. so i asked soulfish's (or anyone else's) opinion on the cookie cutter.

i apologize for popping off like this. but i felt i did my research. i just wanted to hear the reasoning of someone's opinion for future reference.

btw which recipe did you copy? and what size tank?

 

[SoulFish]

yea i find the same about cichlid-forums cookie cutters, as said above, multies would really be the only ones that could go in there they are small and peaceful, others like occelatus are a bit too spunky and a tank that size wouldnt give others room to flee, but it is still really small, id get a betta and go get a 10gal, that will allow you to get 6 or so and have a nice setup, they will thank you for it

 

[FroggyFox]

-=kicks Soulfish=- refraining from cussing at him...

 

[Lotus]

I found a general interest article on shelldwellers here: http://www.fishprofiles.com/articles/freshwater/shelldwellers/ It's very basic, but nice and simple

 

[FroggyFox]

That is a great article Lotus thank you!!