my experience with shell dwellers

[zeniko]

I'm really looking forward to setting up my new shell dweller tank, my first foray into African Cichlids. I've done some research, but I still have a few questions and I'm hoping someone can offer some advice.

My tank dimensions are 36 inches wide, 12 inches deep, and 18 inches high, which works out to 127 liters or 34 US gallons, give or take a bit once I add the substrate. I've already got sand substrate, 15 Escargot shells, and some rocks for decoration.

I'm thinking of adding some moss balls as my only plants - I've read that shell dwellers like to move things around, so maybe they'll enjoy rolling the moss balls around and nibbling on them. I'm not planning on adding any other plants, since they'll probably just get uprooted.

So, I've got a few questions. Should I stick to one species, or can I mix and match? I'm considering multis, brevis, and smilils - which one is the best, and if I can have more than one, which two would work well together? How many fish should I start with, given that they'll likely breed?

Do I have enough shells, or should I order another batch of 15? I got them at a good price on eBay.

Are there any other decorations I can add to the upper level of the tank? I've come across corass juliis and rainbows - are they a possibility?

That's all my questions for now. I'm starting the cycle process this week, so I've still got some time to plan things out - any thoughts from more experienced members would be really appreciated.

[zeniko]

I'd love to get some thoughts on my tank setup and stocking.

[zeniko]

I think I need to try a different approach here. How about I offer some virtual cookies and a cup of coffee to the first person who can help me out with my shell dweller tank questions

[mizonix]

I think sticking to one species of shellie would be the way to go, but having 2 or 3 pairs would be a good idea. The rocks you've got will be useful for breaking up the sight lines and reducing aggression between the males. As for the number of shells, it really depends on the type of fish you decide on - if you go for multis, you can't have too many shells, but brevis are happy with one shell per fish and then just one per pair once they've paired up, with a few spares for hiding places.

I've found that brevis can be quite particular about their shells, and will even bury any spare shells they're not using under the sand to stop other fish moving in. It's quite amusing to watch, to be honest. As for the type of shellie to get, it's really down to what you can find - they all have their own unique characteristics, and it's hard to go wrong with any of them. If you're looking for a specific type, you might want to try Wharf aquatics - they had a good selection of shellies when I was there last.

If you're looking to add some other fish to the tank, a small group of julies could work well - transcriptus or ornatus are good options, as they don't get too big. A shell bed at one end of the tank and a rock pile at the other could create a nice environment for them. Moss balls should be fine in the tank, and java fern and vallis also do well in hard water conditions.

Now, about that coffee...

[zephyr8]

Completely agree with mizonix's advice, makes total sense. And yeah, zeniko's definitely earned that coffee, plus the cookies, after sharing all those details about his tank.

[zeniko]

Thanks so much for breaking the silence here.

First off, here's your well-deserved coffee and cookies – I hope they're to your liking.

I think I'll take your advice and stick to one species of shellie, now I just need to decide which one to go with. I'll do some more research on the different species and hopefully make a decision soon. If I do end up going with multis, I'll make sure to get more shells.

I'm glad you mentioned julies – I like the idea of having them in the tank too. You suggested a small group, so I'm thinking maybe three would work well?

Thanks also for the plant suggestions – I'll definitely look into adding some java fern and vallis to the tank.

As for getting my shellies, Wharf aquatics is a bit too far for me, so I'll try my local fish store first. They're really helpful and can order whatever I need, so fingers crossed they'll be able to get me what I'm looking for. If not, I'll make the trip to Wharf aquatics – it's about 50 miles, but I'm willing to go the extra mile to get this right.

I'm getting really excited about the tank – I set it up last night and had the idea to use one of my mature filters as a backup, just in case. This should speed up the cycling process, so I'm hoping to be ready for my shellies sooner rather than later.

Thanks again for your help – it's really given me a clearer idea of what I need to do. I want to make sure I get this right, as it's my first time venturing into African Cichlids.

Zephyr8, help yourself to a coffee too – you're welcome to join in.

[mizonix]

You should also consider Occelatus and Ornatipinnis, they're pretty interesting species. I've always been fascinated by the Gold Occelatus, their lower pectoral fins are rounded which gives them this unique appearance, like they're wearing boxing gloves. I almost set up a new tank just for them recently, they're that cool. The Altolamprologus compressiceps, also known as the "sumbu shell" are another great choice, they're amazing little fish, if you can find them.

[zeniko]

Thanks for all the suggestions, mizonix. I'll be doing some more research on those to see what would work best for my tank.

I just got back from the local garden centre, they have a huge fish section and I had a chat with the manager about my plans. He's given me loads of rock, so I'll be stacking that up and drilling some holes into it later today. I'll add some pics later so you can see how it's looking. They had some julis and brevis in stock, but the manager said they can order anything else I want. I'm really excited now, can't wait to get everything set up and ready for my shellies.

[mizonix]

I've got a soft spot for brevis, they're really underappreciated in my opinion. People often get them and think they're super shy because they dash back into their shells the moment you approach, but that's just not true. Mine have become incredibly bold over time - they're like little characters, coming up to the glass to say hello and even trying to stare me out. The males can get quite feisty, nipping at my hands or the cleaning pipe if I get too close to their shells. The mating and territorial displays are just fantastic - they puff out their fins, tilt their heads and change colour to a stunning black with tan stripes, it's really something to see. Even the females aren't afraid to stand up for themselves, chasing away julies that are twice their size.

You could easily keep two pairs in a tank of your size, but I'd recommend getting two males and four females - just be prepared to remove the extra females if they're not chosen. Having two males means you'll get to see some really interesting interactions and territorial disputes, it's definitely worth it.

[zeniko]

I'm really taken by the brevis now, mainly because they don't need as many shells, so I can fit in some moss balls and plenty of rocks for the other fish. If I go with two males and two females, do you think they'll definitely pair up, or is it better to have more females so the males have a choice?

Regarding the other fish you mentioned, would they be compatible with brevis? I'm guessing the ones you suggested for the upper levels aren't shell dwellers, but I haven't looked into them yet.

Edit: Wait, aren't they shell dwellers too? I really need to get familiar with all these different species... there's just so much to learn!