**POST SHELL DWELLER TANKS HERE**

[onlikedonkeykong17]

please post pics of your shell dwellers
ill start off...

[onlikedonkeykong17]

some more

[African Freak]

15 Gal brevis/comp tank

[frnchjeep]

I don't know much about africans. Could you tell me what a shell dweller is? I clicked on the thread expecting to see some claws and legs. Instead, I see empty shells and fish.:confused:

[FrozenMonkey]

Shell dwellers are just that. Fish that live in shells. ;) Awesome little fish...I just got 12 baby Lamprologus meleagris (pearlies). Gotta go get some shells tomorrow so they can live happily.


http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr347/Trans_Am99/IMG_7841.jpg

[Pittbull]

Here is a few of my Shellies..


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296018

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[onlikedonkeykong17]

beautiful fry! These tanks are looking great

[MalawiTango]

Here's my 50G (36x18) 9 gold Occelatus, 5 Julidochromis Dickfeldi, 5 Paracyp. Breini, there are Calvus' in the pics but they are in another tank now.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn166/F8LBITEva/Aquarium/shellie40B005.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn166/F8LBITEva/Aquarium/shellie40B004.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn166/F8LBITEva/Aquarium/shellie40B002.jpg

Full tank shot Rainbows are gone
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn166/F8LBITEva/Aquarium/shellie40B010.jpg

Video: Feeding time!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uNgdrGpUT0&feature=channel_page

[frnchjeep]

Shell dwellers are just that. Fish that live in shells. ;) Awesome little fish...I just got 12 baby Lamprologus meleagris (pearlies). Gotta go get some shells tomorrow so they can live happily.



Ah. Thank you. Thats an interesting characteristic in a fish, isn't it? How big do they get? Do they kill snails or anything like that to get their shell? Or do they just take over already empty ones?

[Pittbull]

sweet setups for sure

[onlikedonkeykong17]

they all are looking very nice! keep em coming

[Shaina]

296017

One of the better-looking shellie tanks I've seen ~ nice job :)

[Pittbull]

Shaina wrote: One of the better-looking shellie tanks I've seen ~ nice job :)

Thank you for the kind words take care and have a Merry Christmas..

[onlikedonkeykong17]

One of the better-looking shellie tanks I've seen ~ nice job :)


I agree, very nice

[woofy]

i might MIGHT maayyyeee let cichlaholics take over one of my smaller tanks to make his shelly tank. ....maybe if i see enugh nice shots here ;) no pressure

[hammerhead2]

here is mine.

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq251/samgrejsamantha/Fish/P1010061.jpg

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq251/samgrejsamantha/Fish/P1010059.jpg

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq251/samgrejsamantha/Fish/P1010095.jpg

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq251/samgrejsamantha/Fish/P1010096.jpg

[hammerhead2]

some more.

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq251/samgrejsamantha/Fish/P1010158.jpg

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq251/samgrejsamantha/Fish/P1010157.jpg

[onlikedonkeykong17]

very nice... i would try to scrape off some of that algae

[hammerhead2]

very nice... i would try to scrape off some of that algae


aside from it does not look good, you think there are bad side effects?

[Dynamite]

I want some, they are cute!
where could i find info on them online? and Maybe a place to purchase some, but info is more important xD

[onlikedonkeykong17]

uhh algae i dont think is harmful.. just doesnt look great
and google shelldwellers... i picked mine up at my LFS
i dont think places like petco/petsmart have them
but stores that focus only on fish im sure do

[straitjacketstar]

Some of the shellies and set-ups my husband and I used to keep.
Right now the only true shellies we have are Lamprologus callipterus. We still have some Lamp. leloupi & Lamp. caudopunctatus.

29 gallon with a pair of Neolamprologus gracilis & pair of Telmatochromis vittatus.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Tanks/29%20Tang/3-8-06082-29Tang.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Tanganyika/Telmatochromis%20vittatus/2-26-06068-TelmatochromisvittatusM.jpg

10 gallon with pair of Lamp. brevis.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/miles44/bevis015.jpg

10 gallon with group of Lamprologus brevis
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Tanks/10gl%20Shelly/Brevis/DSC01733-10glShelly.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Tanganyika/Lamprologus%20brevis%20Sunspot/DSC02131-L.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Tanganyika/Lamprologus%20brevis%20Sunspot/DSC02049-L.jpg

40 gallon with young Neolamp. pulcher Daffodil, Alto. comp Goldface growouts and Lamp. multifasciatus colony.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Tanks/40gl%20Tang/DSC02451-40glTang.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Tanganyika/Lamprologus%20multifasciatus/9-21-05005-YoungMaleMulti.jpg

40 gallon tank with a pair of Telmatochromis vitattus.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/miles44/4-14-07082.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/miles44/4-14-07077.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Tanganyika/Telmatochromis%20vittatus/5-1-07040-T.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Tanganyika/Telmatochromis%20vittatus/5-1-07037-T.jpg

10 gallon with Lamprologus similis
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/5-19-05003.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Dannys%20Fish%20N%20Stuff/Lamprologus%20similis/adj1-9.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Dannys%20Fish%20N%20Stuff/Lamprologus%20similis/DSC01923-Lamprologussimilismale.jpg

10 gallon with pair of Lamprologus leloupi
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/9-21-05001.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Dannys%20Fish%20N%20Stuff/Lamp%20leloupi/9-21-05162-LamprologusleloupiMale.jpg

20 gallon long with Lamprologus ocellatus Gold and young Lamrologus caudopunctatus
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/tank3019.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Dannys%20Fish%20N%20Stuff/Lamprologus%20ocellatus/DSC01864-LamprologusoccelatusGold.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Dannys%20Fish%20N%20Stuff/Lamp%20caudopunctatus/DSC00582-Neolamp.jpg

20 gallon long with breeding pair of Lepidiolamprologus boulengeri
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/7-18-05010.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/8-12-05024.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Dannys%20Fish%20N%20Stuff/Lepidiolamprologus%20boulengeri/DSC00647-Lepidiolamprologusboulenge.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y277/straitjacketstar/Dannys%20Fish%20N%20Stuff/Lepidiolamprologus%20boulengeri/6-10-05014-Lep.jpg

Breeding set-up:
20 standard with pair of Lamprologus signatus
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/miles44/4-28-07007.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/miles44/4-14-07072.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/miles44/6-11-07032.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/miles44/6-11-07017.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/miles44/6-11-07006.jpg

[nuggets]

not very good camera

[onlikedonkeykong17]

straitjacketstar:
your pictures are very nice! all of those tanks also look beautiful! The way the rocks are set up are very nice

[mahemaheman85]

heres some pics of my oc pearls and orange belly brevis

[onlikedonkeykong17]

awesome pics everybody! keep em commin

[junglej]

Very nice! I'll be posting pics of brevis,multies,and occies as soon as i can upload them.

[junglej]

a few picshttp://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1166&pictureid=11584http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1166&pictureid=11585http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1166&pictureid=11542http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1166&pictureid=11580

[junglej]

more pics to follow

[loach43]

Few pics of my multis

[Junttis]

Some of my multies
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298655
298654
298656

[JamesRiggs]

Some of the shellies and set-ups my husband and I used to keep.
Right now the only true shellies we have are Lamprologus callipterus. We still have some Lamp. leloupi & Lamp. caudopunctatus.
07006.jpg[/IMG]

I want some shots of the Lamprologus callipterus, I really want to pick up some of these!

[junglej]

lamprologus brevis kavala 10ghttp://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1166&pictureid=11675http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1166&pictureid=11671http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1166&pictureid=11674

[Pittbull]

sweet brevis..

[onlikedonkeykong17]

AWESOME

[juice604]

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/juicedogg604/PA190881.jpg


http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/juicedogg604/PA190882.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/juicedogg604/PA190884.jpg

[sncboom]

Wow, these are AMAZING everyone. I know what my new research topic will be. I have a 20 gallon that needs some tenants.

[juice604]

yup they are sure fun to watch !@@!

[marinebiologist]

All the fish are going to leave and im going to put a pair of L. meleagris in it.
I dont know if it is a good setup or not.:confused:I will get more shells

[Pittbull]

Hey marinebiologist..

Just an opinion i would add sand and a lot more shells buddy, i am currently switching over to aragonite sand in all of my shellie setups..

[FrozenMonkey]

I don't think its possible to have too many shells for a shellie tank. For just a pair though at least 5 shells IMO. Let them choose which one they want to live in because the seem to never live in the ones you want them to. ;) And like Pittbull said, sand is the way to go!

[onlikedonkeykong17]

yes... i agree
i have black sand in my shellie tank as you can see in my pictures
always have an ample amount of shells

[juice604]

ya i like to keep way more shells than need in bunches all throughout the tank , gives more choices and lets any males start up new colonies , instead of fighting !@!

[Pittbull]

yep agreed my 55gal shellie setup has over 70 shells in all they have several choices..

[onlikedonkeykong17]

my 8 gallon shellie tank has about 10 shells

[onlikedonkeykong17]

yep agreed my 55gal shellie setup has over 70 shells in all they have several choices..

would love to see pics :)

[Pittbull]

Hey onlikedonkeykong go to page 1 post #6 that first photo is my 55gal shellie setup a more current photo is that i have added texas holey rock on both sides of the large center piece with 20 or so more shells added..

Here is the progress..


1. What my 55gal shellie tank looked like for a few years..

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2. 55gal with all the creek rock out with a large center piece shell fields on both sides..

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3. Finished look with texas holey rock on each side of center piece shells are still in place..

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[juice604]

Hey onlikedonkeykong go to page 1 post #6 that first photo is my 55gal shellie setup a more current photo is that i have added texas holey rock on both sides of the large center piece with 20 or so more shells added..

Here is the progress..


1. What my 55gal shellie tank looked like for a few years..

302431

2. 55gal with all the creek rock out with a large center piece shell fields on both sides..

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3. Finished look with texas holey rock on each side of center piece shells are still in place..

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wow looks good!@! nice tank :D

[Pittbull]

juice604 (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/member.php?u=47863) wrote: wow looks good!@! nice tank :D


thanks buddy..

[junglej]

very nice! makes me wanna tear down my 55g angel tank and put my brevis and multies in there, my wife would kill me though as it is her first tank

[onlikedonkeykong17]

pittbull@MFK,
Your tank is very nice!
sorry for not seeing it on the first page
My internet has been slow lately and it takes a long time for the pictures to load
very nice though =]

[Pittbull]

thanks buddy i appreciate the thoughts take care..

[Pittbull]

junglej (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/member.php?u=29282) wrote: very nice! makes me wanna tear down my 55g angel tank and put my brevis and multies in there, my wife would kill me though as it is her first tank

hehehe know the feeling aye..

[onlikedonkeykong17]

thanks buddy i appreciate the thoughts take care..

you too man, happy new year to everybody as well

[onlikedonkeykong17]

i redid my shellie tank and added some coral i found on the beach that i boiled to help raise the ph
ill post pics tomorrow

[Pittbull]

yep do so i bet it would look pretty cool, i have been thinking about doing another shellie tank (wow like i need another one) using that caribsea black and white sand and a tank full of those sea barnacle clusters and thats it..

later my friend..

[onlikedonkeykong17]

yep do so i bet it would look pretty cool, i have been thinking about doing another shellie tank (wow like i need another one) using that caribsea black and white sand and a tank full of those sea barnacle clusters and thats it..

later my friend..

Thats an awesome idea :nilly:
im sure it will look outstanding

[tezr]

Lepidiolamprologus meeli I miss this set up and may redo a shellie tank...


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/hotblooded/Critters/Fish/cichlids/N%20Meeli/IMG_2656fin.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/hotblooded/Critters/Fish/cichlids/N%20Meeli/IMG_2654fin.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/hotblooded/Critters/Fish/cichlids/N%20Meeli/IMG_2652fin.jpg

the male had his own shell at the far end LOL

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/hotblooded/Critters/Fish/cichlids/N%20Meeli/IMG_2659fin.jpg

[Pittbull]

Hey tezr sweet thats another shellie i need now hehehe..


Hey onlikedonkeykong yeah i have been checking eBay and they have some nice clusters for sell, it would be sweet..

[juice604]

Hey tezr sweet thats another shellie i need now hehehe..


Hey onlikedonkeykong yeah i have been checking eBay and they have some nice clusters for sell, it would be sweet..

hey ive got 3 meelis ill get some pics up qwick fast , my guys are super mean too ;)

[Pittbull]

sweet i am going to be picking up some meleagris here soon so i may need to set up another one for the meeli..

[juice604]

here are a few qwick ones
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/juicedogg604/P1050177.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/juicedogg604/P1050180.jpg
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/juicedogg604/P1050177-1.jpg


im telling you tho meelis are mean little buggers lol , the other dudes are lamp -ornatipinnis

[onlikedonkeykong17]

jucie604: your tank looks very nice
tezr: you should redo a shellie tank
ill be getting my pics up later today

[onlikedonkeykong17]

I redid my tank =]
added some coral and stuff
looks better in person, sorry for the crappy pics

[Pittbull]

i like it, looks good buddy..

[juice604]

I redid my tank =]
added some coral and stuff
looks better in person, sorry for the crappy pics


i like the look , but i cant see the fish ?? lol..:nilly:

[onlikedonkeykong17]

i like it, looks good buddy..

thanks man

[onlikedonkeykong17]

i like the look , but i cant see the fish ?? lol..:nilly:

haha i know, when i went to take pictures they all hid =[

[mike dunagan]

That's shellies for you

[Pittbull]

Here is more photos of my shellie setups and fish..

Photos are of multi's, brevis, ocellatus and some juvie julido's..


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[onlikedonkeykong17]

the planted one looks very cool pittbull

[Pittbull]

yeah thats my occe setup it has anubias nana narrowleaf and some java ferns in the back and a wendti bronze up front..

but i am leaning towards switching it up to sand still teeter totting a bit on the ideal..

[onlikedonkeykong17]

yeah thats my occe setup it has anubias nana narrowleaf and some java ferns in the back and a wendti bronze up front..

but i am leaning towards switching it up to sand still teeter totting a bit on the ideal..

sounds awesome

[Pittbull]

Thanks buddy..

[loach43]

Pitbull you got it going on with the shellies. Makes me want to dedicate more space.

[Pittbull]

Thanks loach yeah i am in the works on getting me some Meleagris and maybe another form of shellie as well, i am a shellie nut hehehe.. thanks buddy take care..

[loach43]

Few more shots of my multis, only with a tad more action :nilly:

[onlikedonkeykong17]

i rly like that second pic loach

[Pittbull]

me too nice mouth shot..

[loach43]

Shellies mug out alot! I must have a hundred yawning pics of these by now.

[onlikedonkeykong17]

BUMP... i know more there are more shellie people out there!

[Pittbull]

Yep that mug out shot is cool i still need to get a shot of mine doing it never quick enough thou, hehehehe..

[blkg35]

Sweet setup everyone. Here's a couple pics of my breeding pair of gold occies. The 1st batch of frys is swimming with the parents. Theres a 2nd batch of frys inside the shells that the female is guarding.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn234/blkg35/occies.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn234/blkg35/occies1.jpg

[onlikedonkeykong17]

awesome! i have always wanted to breed them, i suck at it.. haha

[sascythe]

ok these arent the greatest shots ever but i had to show my love for shellies.

setup: 29g
-4 pearly occel.
-1 leopard frog pleco
-1 pitbull pleco

1st and 2nd pic are when i just got them
2nd and 3rd pic are what the tank looks like now
still not completely finished but i cant wait till i get fry and by the way i know this thread is for pics but how long does it take for the shellies to pair up and spawn.

[Pittbull]

cool photos buddy..

[sascythe]

thanks wish i knew how to use a camera

[onlikedonkeykong17]

thanks wish i knew how to use a camera
the pics came out nicely

[juice604]

like them , try for some night shots !@!

[onlikedonkeykong17]

like them , try for some night shots !@!

agreed :)

[Pittbull]

Yep turn out surrounding room light and just use the tank light for your source switch off your flash and get close to the tank be real steady even a tremble will cause the photo to come out distorted..

Also you may want to experiment with your settings to see what is best for you..

Good luck..

[sascythe]

cool appreciate the advice

[Eläköön]

hey good looking guys, ive kept these in the past. i had a 80gal tang set up.
just curious coudl u keep 2 of these in a nano? if so i've got a spare one

[onlikedonkeykong17]

hey good looking guys, ive kept these in the past. i had a 80gal tang set up.
just curious coudl u keep 2 of these in a nano? if so i've got a spare one

do you have pics of the 80?

[Pittbull]

What size nano ?

[Eläköön]

no i have no pics of the 80 sorry. i had lots of fish, i remember neolamprologus Brichardi.
starteed with 2. they paired up and kept breeding, the older babies began to help protect their siblings and ended up with about 40 of them. great fish.

the nano is very small. it was sold as a marine one, it has lights and filter heater etc all build into a system on the back.

[Pittbull]

You should be ok with maybe 3 Neolamp Multi's to start with depending on size of nano tank..

[sharkbait08]

Awesome pics everyone!!! I'm setting up a shellie tank right now... and ya'll have given me some great tips/ideas. Thanks!

[Pittbull]

cool deal sharkbait post some photos when your done buddy..

[onlikedonkeykong17]

Awesome pics everyone!!! I'm setting up a shellie tank right now... and ya'll have given me some great tips/ideas. Thanks!

be sure to share your photos

[Eläköön]

oh sorry i havent replyed, i just got the tank out and cleaned up. it is 10gallons. and il be giving the tank good regular waterchanges. is this ok for any tangynikans particularly shelldwellers, as i would like to breed them.

and just a quick question,
if i breed them and i cant move the young on as quickly, can they survive in a 55g comunity tank with other small fish providing i give them shells? my water here is hard and alkaline so perfect for keeping them.
and sorry i hijack il post pics when i get it set up!

[Pittbull]

10gal will be good for Neolamprologus Multifasciatus start out with maybe 3 of them 1/M and 2/F and they will fill up the tank with babies as long as you take care of their water requirements in all..

Multi's reach the 2" mark so if the 55gal doesn't have anything bigger than a 3 inch fish and are not predators they should be fine..

[Pittbull]

Just received these tonight 4 Lamprologus Caudopuntatus..


308583

308584

308585

308586

308587

308588

308589

308590


I know there not shell dwellers by nature but in captivity they tend to breed in shells and are colonial breeders forming a nice colony..

[onlikedonkeykong17]

very nice!

[Pittbull]

thanks

[Eoibio]

Hmm would shellies be ok in a community?I like them =]]

[sharkbait08]

Me likes the Lamprologus caudopunctatus!!!

I just got a Juli and three green barbs for my 20 gal yesterday. The Juli is actually really comical. The barbs are kind of hiding right now... I figure they are slightly freaked out do to the move. I'll be getting some shell dwellers hopefully some time this weekend... as soon as I get ahold of a camera, I'll put some pics up too!

[Pittbull]

sharkbait08 (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/member.php?u=48543) wrote: I just got a Juli and three green barbs for my 20 gal yesterday.

Keep an eye on those Barbs they may be too nippy for the Tangs..

What type Julido did you get.. cool make sure you get some photos my friend take care.. yeah this is my first time ever owning the caudopunct's and i have only had them for a couple of days so far so good..


Eoibio (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/member.php?u=47310) wrote: Hmm would shellies be ok in a community?I like them =]]

It depends what are you thinking fish wise with them..

[sharkbait08]

[quote=Pittbull@MFK;2671027;]sharkbait08 (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/member.php?u=48543) wrote:

Keep an eye on those Barbs they may be too nippy for the Tangs..




Thanks for the advice... but so far the barbs are only picking on each other... The Juli actually seems to snip more at the barbs than they do at it.

I got a Julidochromis transcriptus. Its been really fun watching the Juli (who btw is named Rocky). I got the barbs because I was told they would help bring the africans out of their shyness. But it seems the other way around... the barbs are more shy than Rocky!!

[straitjacketstar]

[quote=Pittbull@MFK;2671027;]sharkbait08 (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/member.php?u=48543) wrote:

Keep an eye on those Barbs they may be too nippy for the Tangs..




Thanks for the advice... but so far the barbs are only picking on each other... The Juli actually seems to snip more at the barbs than they do at it.

I got a Julidochromis transcriptus. Its been really fun watching the Juli (who btw is named Rocky). I got the barbs because I was told they would help bring the africans out of their shyness. But it seems the other way around... the barbs are more shy than Rocky!!

Is the J. trans a true transcripus or a dwarf marlieri? Trans are spunky but marlieri (both regular and dwarf forms) are considerably more aggressive in comparison.

[Pittbull]

I don't know who you are talking about (rocky) sorry i cant help you on that..

As for the T-Barbs they tend to be nippy when there not enough of each other but if they are tormenting each other they should be fine just if you lose one replace with 3 more..

Here are some of my Julidochromis shots..

Yeah i wouldn't think a Julido would take any crap from a Barb, hehehe..

J. Transcriptus
310187

J. Ornatus
310188

J. Dickfieldi
310189

J. Ornatus
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[straitjacketstar]

J. Transcriptus
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This fish is J. marlieri. ;)

[sharkbait08]

[quote=sharkbait08;2674947;]

Is the J. trans a true transcripus or a dwarf marlieri? Trans are spunky but marlieri (both regular and dwarf forms) are considerably more aggressive in comparison.

I got it at the LPS and was told its a transcriptus. I'm not 100% sure though... is there an easy way to tell the difference?

[sharkbait08]

Yeah i wouldn't think a Julido would take any crap from a Barb, hehehe..



yeah... I think my Juli is gonna be the king of the tank!! LOL

[straitjacketstar]

[quote=straitjacketstar;2676310;]

I got it at the LPS and was told its a transcriptus. I'm not 100% sure though... is there an easy way to tell the difference?

J. marlieri have markings on the cheek under the bar that runs through the eye.
Normal J. marlieri
http://www.fishpost.com/images/tang/julmarlieri.jpg

Dwarf form, J. marlieri "Gombe"/ "Gombi" (often sold as J. transcriptus)
http://www.isabi.de/Julidochromis%20transcriptus%20gombe%20WF%20.jpg

http://www.ohiexchange.com/armke/images/juli_transcriptus_gombi.JPG

http://www.cichlidlovers.com/j-transc-gombi1.jpg

True transcriptus do not have markings under the bar that runs through the eye.
http://www.aqua-fish.net/imgs/fish/masked-julie-profile.jpg

http://www.aqua-pets.com.tw/aquapets/images/aq-pic/e-26/260602.jpg

http://www.ciklidi.org/gallery2/d/25576-3/Julidochromis_transcriptus_Kalemie.jpg

http://www.bigskycichlids.com/images/Jtranscriptus_gombi3.jpg

This is also how some very similar looking forms of J. regani and J. ornatus are told apart, as J. ornatus also lack markings on the lower gillplate, whereas J. regani do have them.

[mike dunagan]

under the eye line is the way to go on ID with those bad boys!

[Pittbull]

Hey i bought this Julidochromis and they sold it to me as J. Transcriptus


Here is a photo that i thought and told was a J. Marlieri
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Here is the photo of my Transcriptus sold to me as is
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Clearly they look alike but with the Marlieri its caudel and dorsal fins has spotted specklings in it and the Transcriptus doesn't.. I mean correct me if i am wrong but i thought i had the two species correct..

[Pittbull]

straitjacketstar (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/member.php?u=1825) wrote: This fish is J. marlieri. ;) respectfully submitted, but in my photo in the fins areas my fish does not have the specks in them but your photo of the Marlieri does have the specks are you sure because i don't want to tell folks i have a different fish that i thought was a Transcript..


They all look alike hehehe..

[straitjacketstar]

straitjacketstar (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/member.php?u=1825) wrote: respectfully submitted, but in my photo in the fins areas my fish does not have the specks in them but your photo of the Marlieri does have the specks are you sure because i don't want to tell folks i have a different fish that i thought was a Transcript..


They all look alike hehehe..

As far as I'm aware, fin markings don't account for much. It's the facial markings that tell them apart and your fish's markings tell it's marlieri.
Do read Tanganyikan Cichlids In Their Natural Habitat by Ad Konings.

[Pittbull]

straitjacketstar (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/member.php?u=1825) wrote: As far as I'm aware, fin markings don't account for much. It's the facial markings that tell them apart and your fish's markings tell it's marlieri.
Do read Tanganyikan Cichlids In Their Natural Habitat by Ad Konings.

Cool well thanks at any rate i will try to do just that.. later..

[Pittbull]

Bump

[junglej]

Nice punks, here is a couple pics of mine, not in this tank anymore though.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1253&pictureid=14079http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1253&pictureid=14078http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1253&pictureid=14077

[straitjacketstar]

Nice punks, here is a couple pics of mine, not in this tank anymore though.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1253&pictureid=14077

SWEET pulcher/olivacious! I've been wanting to get my hands on them for a long time!

[junglej]

Thanks, i actually just traded a group for some v. moori

[junglej]

There is a local breeder here that has some amazing specimens. This is where i got mine from. I'll probably end up picking more up at the gbas spring auction.

[Pittbull]

Nice fins my friend they look awesome.. mine are still pretty small..

[junglej]

thanx. I like em too

[Pittbull]

Yes indeed me as well, i like your calvus as well buddy..

[junglej]

thanx again, black calvus are my favorites and i'm trying to get some red or dwarf comps, but the majority of my tanks are for shellies.

[Pittbull]

Here is a few of my Comp's and Calvus


http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78052&thumb=1&d=1232759363 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78052&d=1232759363)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78053&thumb=1&d=1232759363 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78053&d=1232759363)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78054&thumb=1&d=1232759363 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78054&d=1232759363)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78055&thumb=1&d=1232759363 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78055&d=1232759363)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78056&thumb=1&d=1232759363 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78056&d=1232759363)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78057&thumb=1&d=1232759363 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78057&d=1232759363)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78058&thumb=1&d=1232759363 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78058&d=1232759363)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78059&thumb=1&d=1232759363 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78059&d=1232759363)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78060&thumb=1&d=1232759363 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78060&d=1232759363)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78061&thumb=1&d=1232759363 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78061&d=1232759363)

(http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78052&thumb=1&d=1232759363)

[Pittbull]

Bump

[loach43]

Another recent shot. Sorry, multis are the only shellies I own.

[skateatburners]

nice fish all... till today i never even knew there were such a fish :) thax [v]FK

[junglej]

Pittbull-those are some real nice fish.

[Pittbull]

Thanks junglej yeah i try to give em the best in all, later buddy..

[sharkbait08]

Another recent shot. Sorry, multis are the only shellies I own.

Nice multi... I'm going to be getting some baby multies soon...
I can't wait :D They will be the only shellies in my tank too.

[Pittbull]

A recent shot..



Multi exploring a holey rock..
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One of my first baby Brevis..
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[sharkbait08]

Is the J. trans a true transcripus or a dwarf marlieri? Trans are spunky but marlieri (both regular and dwarf forms) are considerably more aggressive in comparison.

So I don't have the multis yet... but since I got a hold of a camera, I thought I'd put a pic of my Juli up and get your opinions. I think it is a marlieri, not a transcriptus, based on the posts. Am I right? (Sorry the pic isn't great... I had to use the flash to get a clear pic.)

[Pittbull]

i would say yes by straightjackets answer

[straitjacketstar]

So I don't have the multis yet... but since I got a hold of a camera, I thought I'd put a pic of my Juli up and get your opinions. I think it is a marlieri, not a transcriptus, based on the posts. Am I right? (Sorry the pic isn't great... I had to use the flash to get a clear pic.)

Yes, Marlieri. The pic's pretty clear and that's one solid looking little Juli. :)

[Pittbull]

cool how many variations of marlerei are there..

[straitjacketstar]

cool how many variations of marlerei are there..

Seems like many since there are not only standard and dwarf forms but each locale seems to vary in pattern as well - giving way to a number of geographical variants unlike a species such as Neolamprologus furcifer of which there are only two geographical variants (a northern race and a southern) or Benthochromis tricoti who have a lakewide distribution and no geographical variation.

[Pittbull]

cool deal on the info..

[Pittbull]

:headbang2 20gal long for future Neolamprologus Meleagris shell dweller.. :headbang2


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[Matt724]

For shell dwellers, is brakish water required or preffered???

[straitjacketstar]

For shell dwellers, is brakish water required or preffered???

African Rift Lake cichlids are strictly FW. Many people confuse their naturally hard water for brackish water.

[Pittbull]

I agree a lot of folk mix up the water requirements because of the hardness most rift cichlids will do fine with a hardness of 200 to 400ppm GH and a PH of 7.6 up to 9.0 Tanganyika's being at the higher range

[Matt724]

Cool, now how rare are they? Will my local lfs have them probably? If not, where should I get them? And if they are in my lfs "supposedly" if there are no shells, then how will I know it is what they say it is and not just some other look alike cichlid or something?

[junglej]

If your seriously interested in shellies, do your research before buying as this will also help you recognize the fish you are interested in. As for the fish, some are rarer than others,just as they're aggresion levels are different. You may be able to find them at a lfs, but probably not at any chain stores. Check out the internet and buy fish from reputable dealers. Anyone in these forums can help you out with that. But,please, do your research and set your aquarium up to their needs before you buy your fish.

[Matt724]

Yeah I will, but right now I'm deciding between refitting my entire tank for shellies or dwarf cichlids. Its only a 15 so it wouldn't be much of a problem, maybe a day or two of work and a chunk load out of my savings, so I wan't to know as much as I can.

Plus i'm probably the most indecisive person in the world when it comes to choosing things about fish :nilly:

[junglej]

Well there are quite a few sp. to chose from when going w/shellies in a 15.Multies,Occies Brevis, meleagris,Similis (just a few for you to look up). Not sure how many dwarf sp. you could comfortably go w/in a 15 though???

[junglej]

And if you find some mfk ers in your area, you can probably pick em up pretty cheap.

[Matt724]

Cool, I'll try to ask around for some mfk people around me.

[Pittbull]

sound advice junglej :headbang2

[straitjacketstar]

Cool, I'll try to ask around for some mfk people around me.

Dude, you're in Socal! Hit up Myles from hotcichlids.com.

[Matt724]

Dude, you're in Socal! Hit up Myles from hotcichlids.com.

Thanks for the link. I think I'm gonna get rid of all my fish in my tank (not killing them) currently cause I hate the whole thing pretty much. It's not really a good site to see and the whole setup just sucks (IMO).

Then I think I'm gonna go with maybe some multies or other shelldwellers.

Now I don't know much but do they have any interesting tank mates?

[straitjacketstar]

If you insist on tankmates I would go for a small mid-surface dwelling dither type. Hardy tetras, small barbs, rasboras or white cloud mountain minnows although to be honest they're not necessary and will be more of a nuisance if your goal is to get fry. In smaller tanks you really just want a pair or trio of adult fish anyhow. Two pairs at most, depending on the species.

[Matt724]

Yeah, maybe I should try to just keep a few first. I just thought that if they stayed in their shells all day, it might end up looking too empty.

[mike dunagan]

They will not hide all day. Only when scared. They will defend the shell.

[junglej]

Multies would be a good one to start with IMO. And i'd leave out tankmates. If you start out with just one pair, you will have a colony in no time. They will be pretty fun to watch, especially w/o tankmates.

[Matt724]

Okay, multies, but I've seen pictures of them, they don't seem too colorful. Or am I wrong? And I've heard different things. What should the pH be? What should the aquascaping be? plants? lighting? Sand or crushed coral? And what type of shells. I want to know these things before I start. And I'm not sure if this is important, but what is dH?

[mike dunagan]

Shells, you want larger snail shells.
Sand is best with shellies.
Ph should be stable, do not worry about messing with it.
You want shells, and sand other aquascaping is up to what you like to look at.

[Matt724]

How about large saltwater shells? And by stable, do you mean a pH around 7? Will plants bother them?

[mike dunagan]

stable is unchanging. Plants will not bother them at all. saltwater shells are fine, but rinse with hot water first

[onlikedonkeykong17]

sorry i havnt responded in this thread for a while.. glad its active!
my shellie tank has black sand with an ample amount of shells. The female tends to hide more than the male.. the male is always out unless you messing with the tank

[junglej]

If you want colorful shellies, check out the occies. gold occies are beautiful, as well as blacks and pearls. Multies may not be colorful, but are attractive in ther own right.
and for what they lack in color, they more than make up for in personality and ease of care/breeding.

[Matt724]

Hmm. Ill look more into both species, while I look for another cheap 15 gallon tank. Anyone know where I can get one real cheap in socal valley? And no one has told me what dH means and its importance.

[Pittbull]

Do you mean GH - general hardness

[Matt724]

Do you mean GH - general hardness

No, here's the example, http://www.gcca.net/fom/Neolamprologus_multifasciatus.htm

its says dH under the habitat section.

[straitjacketstar]

Basic tank set-ups would consist of sand and shells. They don't need much more than that but you could add rockwork if you'd like.
If you want something with color or at least attractively patterned I would look into the ocellatus group shellies (Lamp. ocellatus, stappersi/meleagris, speciosus), Lamp. similis (the more attractive cousin of Lamp. multi), or Lamp. causopunctatus (even though they are not a true shellie, with rockwork and shells prvided they may decide to use shells).

[Matt724]

Thanks for the info you guys, I plan to start working on this tank sometime within the month.

[Matt724]

Umm, not urgent yet but how do you tell the sex of some of these fish. I don't want to end up getting more than 1 male and 4 females.

[straitjacketstar]

Umm, not urgent yet but how do you tell the sex of some of these fish. I don't want to end up getting more than 1 male and 4 females.

If you're buying adult fish it's possible to buy sexed adults. If you're buying young fish you won't be able to sex them easily or at all.
Some species such as Lamp. caudopunctatus are difficult to sex even as adults. My husband uses a jewelers loop to vent his Lamp. caudopunctatus and L. leloupi, as their genitals are difficult to see and note differences without magnification.

[Matt724]

what's a jeweler's loop?

[Pittbull]

Its a magnifying glass that you hold up to your eye.. i have one in my fish arsenal hehehe.. but it will let you see clearly and closer so you can vent your fish to determine sex..

[Matt724]

a magnifying glass can do zoom in that much?

[Pittbull]

It will let you see the vents very clearly is what it will do something like this -

oo male
Oo female

In larger fish you will be able to see this clearer but with small fish you will need to use the magnifying glass to view the vent area..

[Pittbull]

Just arrived a week ago and are doing nicely..

Lamprologus Ornatipinnis

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[ihavegills]

Sweet set up Pittbull! Fish and Tank looks awesome :headbang2 Hope you don't mind but i think i'm gonna steal your ideas for aquascaping for the Brevis Sunspots I got from you, he he! Ahh i'm excited again I have another project!

Looks great:clap

[Pittbull]

ihavegills (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/member.php?u=47112) wrote: Hope you don't mind but i think i'm gonna steal your ideas for aquascaping for the Brevis Sunspots I got from you


Cool deal man go for it, hey just to say i got some free holey rock today now thats sweet i was stoked, how are those brevis doing for you so far..

[Pittbull]

Current reconfigures of shellie setups..

The two 10gal setups will be upgraded to 20gal longs soon..

1. 20gal Lamprologus Ornatipinnis Shellie..
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2. Ornatipinnis shellie..
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3. 10gal Neolamprologus Ocellatus Shellie..
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4. Occies..
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5. 20gal long Neolamprologus Multifasciatus Shellie..
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6. Multi's..
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7. Steatocranus Casuarius(NO NOT A SHELLIE) Buffalo heads..
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8. Buffalo heads..
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9. Buffalo heads..
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10. Buffalo heads, Multi's, Ocellatus..
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[Matt724]

I found that these guys are from the same lake as Synodontis, Afromastacembelus eels, and Tanganyika Rainbowfish. And any ideas on plants or no plants? What kind of rocks?

[Pittbull]

Anubias and java ferns are a hit with me in some of my setups and well i like the Texas holey rock my second would be the lace rock..

[Matt724]

Does java fern and anubias look natural. I'm trying to go for a completely natural setup. Have you heard the other fish? or seen them at lfs?

[Pittbull]

I like the look of the anubias the most but if your going to go all natural i would stick to Vals, sorry i havent heard of those fish or being in stock, sounds like they would be a specialty or oddity fish..

[Pittbull]

Let me know if you find those African rainbowfish thou..

[Matt724]

Yeah I will, I plan to get the tank this weekend, buy the sand, the filter, the heater, the rock, and the plants (if all goes well with my dad). So I won't really be looking for fish until after a few weeks. But I'll get back to you on this thread.

[straitjacketstar]

Tanganyikan killifish, Lamprichthys tanganicus.
http://www.melinameissner.com/pictures/lamprichthys.jpg
Get to about 6", very active, spawn in rock crevices. Said to be quite delicate.
They don't ship well for starters and they're flighty and easily stressed. One guy I wanted to buy some from didn't want to sell me any unless it was really worth it, like if I was going to buy 10+ fish. He said, "it's not worth it for me. They practically drop dead soon as the net hits the water so if I'm gonna be in there chasing them around catching and stressing them it better be worth it". I don't know how true that was about them being that sensitive but he sure talked me out of getting them.
I see sales for eggs on AquaBid from time to time. I've always wanted to try my hand and hatching and raising them myself.

[Pittbull]

Sounds good Matt thanks buddy..

Appreciate the info straightjacket hmm may not want them then i would rather go with praecox rainbows then as top water action in my 120gal..

[Pittbull]

OK i went with preacox for topwater action in my 120gal and they look good they actually school with the Caudopunctatus..

[russll_13]

these are my shell dwelling baby crayfish i grew from babies this one is the biggest of the bunch. Before these guys i had about 50 baby yellow haps and 30 blue haps in there all living in shells and caves. Man... i should have take pics of those.

[Pittbull]

Cool crayfish aye..

[ownbigfish]

:WHOA:This is my brothers 20 gallon long shell dweller tank setup. He just finished setting it up today. It looks very nice.:headbang2
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2752/215/62/1222244915/n1222244915_391099_3567340.jpg
The 20 gallon long with no fish yet. He is going to put in his four baby fry Lamprologus ocellatus golds.:drool:


Shell Locations;)
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2752/215/62/1222244915/n1222244915_391098_1785326.jpg
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2752/215/62/1222244915/n1222244915_391094_7193589.jpg
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2752/215/62/1222244915/n1222244915_391095_1995782.jpg
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2752/215/62/1222244915/n1222244915_391121_2789480.jpg
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2752/215/62/1222244915/n1222244915_391122_8237350.jpg
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2752/215/62/1222244915/n1222244915_391123_3719200.jpg
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2752/215/62/1222244915/n1222244915_391124_1583692.jpg

One question, could you have four GOLD with 4 Multi or 4 Brevis in the same tank with 4 white calvus n some surface fish? Is this too much fish in the 20? :confused::confused::confused:

and what would be the best surface fish?:screwy:

right now they are all small, so when they get biger might take some out.:grinno::naughty:

thanks for reading and looking at the pictures.....:popcorn::popcorn:

[Pittbull]

I would just stick with the Golds in a 20gal as a species setup they will kill each other as for small territorial differences.. cool tank BTW..