I want Shell Dweller Cichlids!! and i have an empty 20 gallon! HELP!

[LEVI_L]

I have recently developed an interest in little Shell dwelling cichlids . But i dont know of any place that sells them or any one around me who has them. I have an empty regular 20 gal tank and i really want to use it for a colony of shelldwellers! Please help! suggestion of what breed with pictures! since i havent seen very many, and advice on care and any info would be awsome!! I dont want a real common one and i will pay a little extra for gooood looks! and if any one is selling let me know! Thanks in advance everyone!!

 

[KLee79]

try cichlids.net and also aquabid. I'll have neolamprologus mutifaciatus babies here shortly..

 

[LEVI_L]

Thanks for the sites! im not to the buying portion yet! ide like to see some pics of the ones you have! im not sure what kind i want yet. is a 20 gal a good sized aquarium for the smaller shelldwellers? will i be able to raise multipe generations in it? and how big do the mature males get?

 

[KLee79]

Multies are my favorite. They form harem's. Where there is usually one dominant male to several breeding females. Each fish should have its own shell. 20g is just fine. I have mine in a 24g L shape. Males will get no bigger than 1.25-1.5". I can get pics..Might take a few

 

[joe jaskot]

Here is a link where you can read up on all shell dwellers: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/category.php?cat=14

 

[KLee79]

 

[studd muffin]

My lfs has tons of them!

 

[LEVI_L]

Thanks for the pics! the Haram sounds like a good situation but can there be other breeding pairs in the tank and will fry grow to adult hood without being removed from the parents? or the original tank?

 

[KLee79]

yep fry will grow up and take shells for themselves. and yes there can be other breeding pairs. just provide enough shells..

 

[LEVI_L]

Awsome! is there any other type that you like that stay within that size range? thanks for the link Joe! and can any one ID these guys?
http://www.africanfish.info/fisch_tan058.html