All things Shell Dwellers

Right man. Actually have a big convoluted fish deal in Rainier Beach Sunday. 1030-1200...if you can make it work I'll bring em. Text me

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Aaron

TheFishPimp wrote:I have a group of 7 I'd let go of for $70 with 10 shells from their tank. Can't be certain w/o liftin skirts but at a glance I'd say 3m/4f.

TFP

  - Thanks Aaron!

I want to thank everyone for their input on this thread. TFP is working with me to pick up his already established colony with shells next week.

definitely gonna need more shells, multies like piles not individual shells. males typically will inhabit a shell at or near the top and entice females to move into the lower lvls. as i understand it the rule of thumb is 3 per fish minimum. i know your getting more already im just telling you this as you may see some temporary aggression issues when they finally settle in.

Anthraxx wrote:definitely gonna need more shells, multies like piles not individual shells. males typically will inhabit a shell at or near the top and entice females to move into the lower lvls. as i understand it the rule of thumb is 3 per fish minimum. i know your getting more already im just telling you this as you may see some temporary aggression issues when they finally settle in.

Thanks for the heads up. I appreciate any and all input. I've never house these type fish before. I was planing on getting enough shells to cover the entire substrate, even behind the stones. There is about 2 1/2 inches of sand so I am ready for some digging and the possibility of having to prop up the stones so they don't fall over.

I wasn't thinking about needing to get more shells right away but now that you mention it I'll keep on searching diligently.

Congrats on the new occupants for your tank!! From all accounts, they're pretty fun to watch, and I'm hoping to start a Tang tank in the near future, so I'm looking forward to seeing how your colony does. Sounds like you're off on the right track. I'd second Anthraxx's info on 3-4 shells per fish, if not more, and for covering the substrate with shells, based on reading/research.

hose91 wrote:Congrats on the new occupants for your tank!!  From all accounts, they're pretty fun to watch, and I'm hoping to start a Tang tank in the near future, so I'm looking forward to seeing how your colony does.  Sounds like you're off on the right track.  I'd second Anthraxx's info on 3-4 shells per fish, if not more, and for covering the substrate with shells, based on reading/research.  

I am with you guys. Sounds like I'll be getting 10 shells and 7 fish in the deal. There should be room for 5-6 more shells. It'll be next week for the pick up. This  weekend I'll make some calls in the Whole Food Market and search around a bit for shells.

I'll keep everyone updated on my African cichlid adventure on the Evolution of a 9.5 Gallon thread.  

I just found this thread and could have hooked you up. The lot of 6 Multi's @ the June auction were from our colony. As of last week it numbered in the mid 60's, but as of lastnight I was watching the tank and discovered another 10-15 so if anyone is ever in the need for very healthy N. Multifaciatus, give me a shout.

When it comes to shells, if you happen to be military, then your commissary will have a gourmet snail can that includes a dozen shells for around $4.00. Our's also love to tunnel under rocks as much as they like shells. So definitely use sand as a substrate and put some rocks in place for them to use as well.

We got our start from a GSAS auction late last year and they have reproduced rather easily.

Heather & Dennis

Wi_fishguy PM sent

Here's a photo of our Multies and the escargo shells they call home:

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Heather & Dennis

id be glad to take some of those little guys off your hands. already sent u a PM inquiring about them

Glad you found some and we always keep these guys in our fishroom - a great little fish!

Would a spec v be to small for a trio of these guys?

multies will never stay as a trio, id suggest looking at brevis if a single pair is what your after.

kuhaku89 wrote:Would a spec v be to small for a trio of these guys?

Anthraxx wrote:multies will never stay as a trio, id suggest looking at brevis if a single pair is what your after.

I think this means that they will breed so they wont stay a trio but technically you can house 3 in a 5 gallon? Or do you think a 5 gallon is to small for a community of multies?

eventually they will outgrow it, if it were me id just get 4 brevis and let a pair form. then rehome the extras and call it good. multies just wont enjoy the lack of legroom once they breed. if your willing to pull a bunch of babies regularly then youll be okay with multies. but honestly its going to require an extra tank for them to grow up in.

Anthraxx where did you get your brevis from ?

So a pair would be ok in a spec v but fry rearing would have to be separate tank?

Not into raising babies just like to enjoy the fish figured it be a challenge for me.I have 2 spec v tanks ones a Betta tank other was a salt water tank, just tore down befor summer, thought a shell tank would be a cool setup for this size tank

Any input on type of substrate to use thought someone said use play sand in an earlier post.

Any other information or where I should go to research further would be great:-)

they will eventually have babies, in my experience the brevis fry are pretty much left alone by the parents (once they get large enough) at this point its really easy to toss em into a 10g for a cpl months and then move em on to somebody else. i got my brevis from APFP a long time ago, but cory at the co-op has had them on his list for a cpl weeks now so id look into going that route (fish quality is WAY up there) definitely gonna wanna go with a sand substrate, again the co-op has a really nice variety of brownish sand. looks really good, also is the only place ive found with sand worthwhile to use. definitely look at cichlid-forum.com for some of the articles in their library. they have a lot of stuff on shell dwellers that is full of good information.

side note: if your not into raising the babies why get cichlids? the entire appeal of them comes from their parental instincts. (or at least for me)

Anthraxx wrote:they will eventually have babies, in my experience the brevis fry are pretty much left alone by the parents (once they get large enough) at this point its really easy to toss em into a 10g for a cpl months and then move em on to somebody else. i got my brevis from APFP a long time ago, but cory at the co-op has had them on his list for a cpl weeks now so id look into going that route (fish quality is WAY up there) definitely gonna wanna go with a sand substrate, again the co-op has a really nice variety of brownish sand. looks really good, also is the only place ive found with sand worthwhile to use. definitely look at cichlid-forum.com for some of the articles in their library. they have a lot of stuff on shell dwellers that is full of good information.

Pretty much everything but the tank in my new shellie tank is from Aquarium co-op . Cory is a wealth of knowledge as well. The sand, rocks, the small canister for this 9.5, lighting, and the Anubias nana petite - Aquarium co-op.

I found a nice deal on fish though. 7 multies, 20 shells. One package deal from a member had to go for it.

I was concerned about over breeding in my 9.5 as well. There is just so much space. I do have a breeder box to start little ones in but I had to find an outlet or it wasn't going to work. So I may raise some up , post to sell cheap. If they don't get adopted out my Angel fish, dwarf pike, and dwarf acara will initiate them in the 140...

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Nice setup!!!

Thank you. Have you seen the new shellies in my thread? Just got them 2 days ago.

I should lol look at your thread

Need inspiration :-)

And the wife approval factor lol

Don't know how to search for forum threads for specific people... lol

lol fishnabowl.. like youll be able to catch them.. theyre like elusive grains of rice, protected by these little tiny fish that have no qualms at all about attempting to bite ur finger off (they can do enough to cause bleeding) heres some pics of my past shellie tanks so u can get inspired.
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What ? Seriously?! Oh gezz...

Anthraxx do you have any brevis for sale?

This thread inspired me. I decided It had been too long without a multi tank. So I went to my old stomping grounds [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] for some ideas. Turns out it was for sale because the admin gave up the hobby. So now I own it

As a result I'll be bringing in some shells and have some shelldwellers in the store again like when I first opened

This ranks up there with some of the best news ever!! Way to go Cory! Can't wait to see what you stock. I'm off to register on shelldweller.com!

Let me know when you get shells and brevis I'm looking for a pair !!!

Will do. It'll take a bit to get stocked. Ordering shells today. Need to re arrange some fish at the shop etc before ordering.

Aquarium Co-Op wrote:Will do. It'll take a bit to get stocked. Ordering shells today. Need to re arrange some fish at the shop etc before ordering.

I could use another 5-10 and have no issue supporting my LFS

Do you have any instock at this time or there a few weeks out

They are a few weeks out at this point.

Gives me time to cycle a new tank :-)

i wanna know when u get them in cuz i want some too.

I found and bought some Neo. Brevis. Saw some other shellies at A place for pets in Burien.

SiRWesDragon wrote:I found and bought some Neo. Brevis. Saw some other shellies at A place for pets in Burien.

You just changed the set up in your profile picture , hu? If I remember correctly it was something different a month or so ago? I went to the gallery too and you changed the photo?!?!

You shellie freaks got me inspired to do a shellie tank.

SiRWesDragon wrote:You shellie freaks got me inspired to do a shellie tank.

Well I really like your set up Wes and gave it a fiver in the gallery  

Can't wait for Cory to get brevis in :-)

Any tips on set up?

any tips i can provide are going to depend on species, Wes glad we got you hooked . just be aware shellie tanks have been known to reproduce all on their own

Brevis

brevis tend to prefer less shells then multies for sure. as always plan for sand substrate so they can dig and rearrange the way they choose. try to get at least 4 so u have a good chance at getting a pair. once they establish themselves remove the extras and rehome them. i personally only have like 4-5 shells in with my brevis. all in a nice little pile. they seem to prefer the larger opening shells like escargot, whereas ocellatus species like smaller openings so they can make sure nobody else can fit inside. another major issue id have is making sure you have the location for the species you buy. its a big issue with tang cichlids as theres lots of different color morphs depending on where they are from. PM me if you have any further questions, be glad to help you out.

Kuhaku89. I found some brevis at APFP in Burien, if you're ready or in rush to get some paired adults. They are maybe a couple more paired brevis. Mine share the same shell.

fishNAbowl wrote:Well I really like your set up Wes and gave it a fiver in the gallery  

Well, Chad. Appreciate the compliment. It's you guys that inspire other people to do other things besides the norm by showing/sharing your experiences and pictures of the inspirational setups.  

Multifasciatus are in stock at the shop now.

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Any shells available???

Has anyone kept Neolamprologus caudopunctatus? I saw them at APFP and really liked them. It just so happens that we have a spare 20gal hanging around   

caudopunc's are more of a small rock dweller. they have a great upper dorsal stripping and stay pretty small but they can be a bit rambunctious amongst each other. a 20g would be a great start for them just give them ample rockery to claim. they breed within the rocks and will adamantly defend the nest site, so be prepared to rehome / relocate and extras you may have. theyre a great little tang to pick up just aim for 1-2 pairs. so 4-6 fish at least. the larger the footprint the better so id suggest a 20g long. these little guys wont do too much redecorating so plants will do fine as well. maybe even a high ph dither.

I have split a WTB thread up and put the shell dweller discussion part of that thread here so that the conversation regarding this fish can continue once the WTB thread dies and then falls off the page.


Continue with the Shellie Conversation that was happening on FishnaBowl's WTB thread:

Thanks for doing this! There's a lot of useful info on here for people like myself who are intrigued by the shell dwellers, but haven't actually given them a chance! 

Now for the rest of you, keep on with this good stuff and don't forget to add some pics!  Even you , Cory! Show us what you have in stock.