New Neo. Multi. Shelldweller

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
S

swervo513

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
May 10, 2010
482
5
33
Brooklyn Ny
Just picked up three neolamprologus multifasciatus. I put them in my livebearer tank with 2 female guppy, 2 red platy male/female, and 1 male betta. Checked the pH at 8.0. But, I have some bark in there that is covered with java moss. There is also a chunk of texas limestone in the tank that is buffering the water to a higher pH. There are about 5 different unidentified species of plants. However, 1 is java moss and the other is javafern.

Any advice on how to treat them is appreciated. I can always look up their general care but if there are any sidenotes I should keep in mind about them I would like to know. Sorry for the crappy quality on the pics. View attachment 705191

21287ad8.jpg

8f280272.jpg
 
little lost... are you asking about care for the tangs or for the plants?
 
I was just asking for comments/advice on keeping multis ... i could see why you thought that sorry.
 
ha ha ha... no problem... I've never kept them personally, way too small... they dont get any bigger than some of my fry, but they are like the Chiuahua of the cichlids... the smallest and can be pretty mean when spawning and defending their eggs... if that happens................. well R.I.P. Guppies. as their name suggests, they live hide and spawn in shells. They need sand because they are diggers as well, they may stress stress out if they arent allowed to, and will re arrange the shells you give them..."if they can" the way they want them... cant remember right off if they are scavengers or herbivors, but for feeding I suggest a really good balanced flake food
 
Thanks for the advice. That is the only thing I set my tank up to be planted and it has flourite gravel. Its relatively small for gravel but nonetheless is gravel. Hope it doesnt stress them too much. They seem happy and have adapted to their shells and the tank.
 
+1 on what Dave said about aggression. I have kept them in tanks with comps before and they will dominate anything that is in the tank with them. The comps fared pretty well because of their armored scales, but I would worry about any other fish in with them once they start to pair off. If you have the extra tank space, I'd consider setting up a 10 or 20 for these guys alone. They may be fine for now, but will certainly off the other inhabitants sooner or later.

Sorry for the bad news. They are great fish, though.
 
I am not that worried about the other fish. They were meant to be breeders for my larger tank. Didnt work out so well. I actually fed my guppies to the arowana today. Only fish I am worried about is my betta and he seems to be picking on the multis right now so i have time to remove him. I can always throw the betta into a bowl.
 
I looked over the pictures again, the substrate may be ok... they are stronger than they look and can pick up small pebbles and move them if needed... the substrate you have should be ok... the reason they dig is to bury their shells. some other shell dwellers will simply cover their shells the multis actually burrow under them and lower them into the ground
 
ahh ok. They have not started digging yet but they are making their shells home. Very interesting creatures
 
Ok, well there is an update. They have started getting aggressive. They are chasing everything around and nipping at fins. Also, they moved most of the large gravel out of the way and kind of smoothed out the ground around the shells. They look more at home now too. Seems they are getting ready to breed. Will they kill my betta? Half its tail is nipped. What can I keep with these guys? How do I tell the difference between male and female. All three seem to be getting along well. Once, again any feedback is helpful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom