Shell Dweller "Nano" Setup

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I

inssane

Gambusia
MFK Member
May 27, 2010
439
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16
Chicago
I found this:
Shell-Dwellers Materials List

I am itching for a small biotope tank and this being a 10 gallon is right up my alley.

Is this a legit setup though? Article doesn't mention how many can go in there comfortably.

Any input would be appreciated as I would want the best for the fish and don't need to just get one to get one. Shellies are pretty cool and look like fun to watch.
Thx
Nick
 
Yeah, it's legit. I have 3 pairs (6fish) lamprologus brevis happily living/breeding in a 20g high which doesn't have much more space than a 10g. you could keep brevis, multie's, etc.. any of the smaller shell dwellers in a 10
 
Do you figure about 4 fish should be fine? Not sure if a Pleco would be appropriate since they are big for these fish and tank IMO.

Thanks for your input
 
If your getting adult shelldwellers that are already paired I would get 2 pairs. If your getting sub-adults, get a few extras so you can be sure to wind up wit two good pairs. I got lucky I bought 7, got 3 pairs and had to remove 1 fish (extra male was getting bullied) That info applies to pretty much all shellies EXCEPT multies and similis, These are colony fish that usually tolerate each other as opposed to pairing off, so you can just buy a small group and they will start building their colony
 
That's great info.
I would love to see them breed, but I would rather just build a colony.
Kind of exciting, the prospect of a new community in my house.
 
Yeah if you want to build up a colony or something just buy a bunch of fry or small shellies and grow them out allow them to build colonys and they will pair up. I would suggest adding a nice bed of sand and tonssssssssss of shells that they can swim in and out of. They are awesome little fish to watch.
 
I did the same thing with a 10 gallon and multis. Started with 7 and now have three pairs with tons of babies. Only thing I would do differently is start with less sand. I did a sand bed about 2" thick of mixed crushed coral and the fine grade black 3M Colourquartz. They move a lot of sand and shell were constantly getting buried in mini landslides.

I've since removed about half of the sand and they seem much happier with additional shells available.

Gonna have to start pulling babies soon as there's going to be way too many fish in there pretty soon.

For algae control, I use a single mid-size olive nerite snail instead of ABN plecos that I have in just about every one of my other African tanks.
 
That sounds great. So I may start with 6-8 (that sounds like the optimal number) - although I really don't want to have to pull fish (that aren't fry) if I don't need to.

Any pics of your tanks?
N
 
You're eventually going to have to pull fry - if you're not too keen on pulling fish, then start with a 20 gallon long. They're like rabbits. Once they start going, a 10 gallon tank will fill up very quickly.

Also, if you're set on a 10 gallon, stick with multifaciiatus and not one of the larger shellies.
 
I will definitely limit the size of the shellies I choose.
I don't mind pulling fry, but I would rather not stock 7 and have to pull 1 or more subs or adults.
It sounds terrible but if I can't get rid of fry here or at LFS, they would just be food for my Sev. Circle of life and not going to waste.
 
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