shellis and?

[bbortko]

I have a 20g tall with a female Nic that I feel I'm going to loose so I'm starting to think about what to try next. One option I've been tossing around is a group of shellies, don't know which ones, and I haven't seen much info on what to keep them with. I would want a mid to top water fish or small school, is there fish that would work?

 

[joe jaskot]

I have kept many different types of shell dwellers and find them to be among the most interesting fish to keep. Their behavior is comical. They constantly move sand and shells around the tank. Their spawning behavior and parental rearing is also very interesting. I have always kept shell dwellers in species only tanks. It seems to work out better that way. However, it is possible to mix them with other fish. Your problem is that your tank is not very large to start off with, but it probably could be done. A lot of it would be trial and error. Here is a quick read on shellies to get you started. The article does list potential tankmates.

http://www.shelldwellers.com/shelldwellerbasics.php

 

[bbortko]

Thanks, that pink helped a lot. If I had a 20 long, I'd go species only but with mine being a 20 tall I think I'll get a couple of mollies or platties to add some action and color up top.