Just set up my old cichlid fry tank and it's now home to some Neolamprologus multifasciatus - been searching for these guys for a year. Found them, but man, they weren't cheap - 15 bucks a piece for 5 of them, so 75 bucks for about 4 inches of fish. Fingers crossed they'll all make it and start breeding soon.
Had to get some sand today since I wasn't sure I'd find the multis, so I replaced the pea gravel while they were getting acclimated. Went with play sand - it's a lifesaver, 4 bucks a bag compared to the pet store's 20 plus for a smaller bag. The 12 shells have been collecting dust, but I'll be adding to the collection soon. Got a new dumbo female betta in quarantine with the multis, and about 30 OB peacock fry swimming with the shellies - they seem more confident with the fry around.
creating a thriving shell-dweller colony in a 29-gallon aquarium
Re: creating a thriving shell-dweller colony in a 29-gallon aquarium
Hey another shell dweller tank. I've been keeping 6 of these Neolamprologus multifasciatus in a 10 gallon, and it's been a blast watching them thrive. One thing I've learned is that they need a lot of shells - I'd recommend at least 4 or 5 per fish. They really utilize them, and it's amazing to see.
I like your setup, especially the fact that you didn't overdo it with the plants. Their native habitat is pretty barren, just shells and sand, so you're on the right track. What I've noticed with my group is that they don't use the entire tank - at least, not yet. Once the fry grow up, that might change, but for now, they're happy with about 2/3 of the tank.
I'm curious, do you plan on making this 29 gallon a dedicated shell dweller tank in the long run? Or are you going to keep the peacocks in there as they mature? Obviously, the betta is just a temporary guest, but I'm interested in your plans. As long as you keep the multis well-fed and provide enough shells, they'll breed like crazy. They're incredibly prolific, and it's amazing to watch.
I like your setup, especially the fact that you didn't overdo it with the plants. Their native habitat is pretty barren, just shells and sand, so you're on the right track. What I've noticed with my group is that they don't use the entire tank - at least, not yet. Once the fry grow up, that might change, but for now, they're happy with about 2/3 of the tank.
I'm curious, do you plan on making this 29 gallon a dedicated shell dweller tank in the long run? Or are you going to keep the peacocks in there as they mature? Obviously, the betta is just a temporary guest, but I'm interested in your plans. As long as you keep the multis well-fed and provide enough shells, they'll breed like crazy. They're incredibly prolific, and it's amazing to watch.
Re: creating a thriving shell-dweller colony in a 29-gallon aquarium
@pawsome, do you recall how much your shellies set you back? I've decided this tank will be dedicated to shell dwellers, the peacock fry are just temporary residents until they outgrow their current home or get rehomed to another tank. I briefly considered adding some top-dwelling species but couldn't think of any that'd thrive in a relatively barren environment without posing a threat to future fry. I might add a few anubias here and there, but that's about it. More shells will definitely be on the agenda.
They seem to be sticking close to their shells for now, and I'm curious to see how they'll rearrange their surroundings. Flake foods are being devoured without issue, but when I introduced canned cyclops, they weren't having it - they just kept spitting it back out. The fry weren't interested either. Next up, I'll be trying brine shrimp; it's usually a hit.
They seem to be sticking close to their shells for now, and I'm curious to see how they'll rearrange their surroundings. Flake foods are being devoured without issue, but when I introduced canned cyclops, they weren't having it - they just kept spitting it back out. The fry weren't interested either. Next up, I'll be trying brine shrimp; it's usually a hit.
Re: creating a thriving shell-dweller colony in a 29-gallon aquarium
I paid around $17 a piece for my shellies, give or take a few bucks. I remember they weren't cheap, but totally worth it.
If you're looking to get some action going in the top of the water column, I'd suggest adding some vertical hardscapes. You know, like tall porous rocks. These guys love their shells, but they'll also retreat behind rocks or into the pores of really porous ones. Just make sure to put some hiding places up top if you want them to hang out there - they don't stray far from cover. I've seen a YouTuber, Tazawa's Tanks, use a 3D background in his shell dweller community tank, and the fish really utilize it and occupy the entire water column.
It took my multies about seven weeks to really get comfortable in their tank. Even now, they're still super skittish - they'll retreat and hide if I even glance at the tank, let alone approach it.
If you're looking to get some action going in the top of the water column, I'd suggest adding some vertical hardscapes. You know, like tall porous rocks. These guys love their shells, but they'll also retreat behind rocks or into the pores of really porous ones. Just make sure to put some hiding places up top if you want them to hang out there - they don't stray far from cover. I've seen a YouTuber, Tazawa's Tanks, use a 3D background in his shell dweller community tank, and the fish really utilize it and occupy the entire water column.
It took my multies about seven weeks to really get comfortable in their tank. Even now, they're still super skittish - they'll retreat and hide if I even glance at the tank, let alone approach it.
Re: creating a thriving shell-dweller colony in a 29-gallon aquarium
I think I'd need to get some taller rocks for that to work, not sure I'll be able to find suitable ones locally, might have to look around.
My shellies aren't skittish at all, in fact the peacock fry seem to have a calming effect on them, they all come up to the glass when I approach, just like my adult Africans.
My shellies aren't skittish at all, in fact the peacock fry seem to have a calming effect on them, they all come up to the glass when I approach, just like my adult Africans.
Re: creating a thriving shell-dweller colony in a 29-gallon aquarium
Just got back from my Grandparent's house with a bunch of shells I collected. Their lake is always washing up these huge snail shells on the shore, so I grabbed a bunch - about 20 or so. Cleaning them was a real chore, but I figured it was worth it. Had to scrub, shake, and blast water through all of them to get the gunk out, then soaked them in some salty water just in case.
The multies are having a blast rearranging their homes. I think I've got 3 males and 2 females, but one of the males is definitely the troublemaker. He's the smallest, and his tail got a little nipped, but he's still lip locking and starting fights. Adding more shells seems to have calmed things down a bit, though. And those peacock fry - I'm starting to think they might not be OB after all, their stripes are really uniform - they're catching up in size to the shellies.
The multies are having a blast rearranging their homes. I think I've got 3 males and 2 females, but one of the males is definitely the troublemaker. He's the smallest, and his tail got a little nipped, but he's still lip locking and starting fights. Adding more shells seems to have calmed things down a bit, though. And those peacock fry - I'm starting to think they might not be OB after all, their stripes are really uniform - they're catching up in size to the shellies.
Re: creating a thriving shell-dweller colony in a 29-gallon aquarium
Glad you got more shells, they'll definitely be put to good use. These shellies are a feisty bunch, especially the males - they're the dominant ones and can get pretty aggressive. Lip locking and fighting's not uncommon among them, and if things escalate, you might need to separate one of the males to prevent any serious harm. Ideally, you want more females than males, but like I said, if they start breeding, the dynamics will change once the fry grow up. For now, it's all about territory and the right to breed, so expect some squabbles.
Re: creating a thriving shell-dweller colony in a 29-gallon aquarium
The area around the shells is where I notice most of the activity happening with my multies, they seem to be constantly on the move, darting in and out, and interacting with each other.
Re: creating a thriving shell-dweller colony in a 29-gallon aquarium
Still no spawning action from my multis, but the good news is the males have calmed down and stopped fighting. I created a little section with a piece of wood and some shells, and that's where the lesser male seems to be living. The second in command has taken over the top shell and even dug a little pit around it.
They're eating pretty much everything I offer, from micro worms to brine shrimp, and even algae wafers for the BN fry. The peacock fry are happy to clean up whatever the multis don't want. I'm still waiting for some babies, but I think it'll take a bit longer. The females aren't looking too plump yet.
I was at work the other day and checked on the Neolamprologus brichardi tank. There were only two fish left, but they'd paired up and spawned, so I slapped a "Not for sale" sticker on the tank. I decided to rescue some of the fry and bring them home. I've got 9 or 10 of them, and they just had their first meal - micro worms and baby brine shrimp.
If these little guys do well, I might release them into this tank and let them grow up with the multis. Since they're from the same lake, I think they could work together. I'd just need to add some rockwork for the brichardi and keep the shell area for the multis. We'll see how it goes - if not, I can always set up another tank.
They're eating pretty much everything I offer, from micro worms to brine shrimp, and even algae wafers for the BN fry. The peacock fry are happy to clean up whatever the multis don't want. I'm still waiting for some babies, but I think it'll take a bit longer. The females aren't looking too plump yet.
I was at work the other day and checked on the Neolamprologus brichardi tank. There were only two fish left, but they'd paired up and spawned, so I slapped a "Not for sale" sticker on the tank. I decided to rescue some of the fry and bring them home. I've got 9 or 10 of them, and they just had their first meal - micro worms and baby brine shrimp.
If these little guys do well, I might release them into this tank and let them grow up with the multis. Since they're from the same lake, I think they could work together. I'd just need to add some rockwork for the brichardi and keep the shell area for the multis. We'll see how it goes - if not, I can always set up another tank.
Re: creating a thriving shell-dweller colony in a 29-gallon aquarium
I just got a new light for the dresser holding my tanks - a 4ft LED shop light. It's still waiting to be hung up, I'll probably get my dad to help me with that. The dresser and tanks will likely be moved across the room soon anyway, so I'm not in a rush.
The shellies still haven't bred, but the two females seem to have grown a bit. I thinned out the OB peacock fry, culling some of the weaker ones to feed to my other Africans. I also picked up a new OB juvenile from the same pet store where I got the shellies. At first, the multis bullied it, but now it's gaining confidence. The colors on this little guy are amazing - I'll add it to the main tank when it's big enough.
The shellies still haven't bred, but the two females seem to have grown a bit. I thinned out the OB peacock fry, culling some of the weaker ones to feed to my other Africans. I also picked up a new OB juvenile from the same pet store where I got the shellies. At first, the multis bullied it, but now it's gaining confidence. The colors on this little guy are amazing - I'll add it to the main tank when it's big enough.