Stocking suggestions for 30g Tanganyika tank

[le0p]

Just got a JBJ RL 30 set up for my first african cichlid tank, I've kept SA cichlids in the past. I've had a couple multi shell dwellers in a 5 gallon for about 6 months and decided to upgrade and give them some more room. I currently have just 2 multis (had 3 but the other jumped out the first night) but I'm planning on getting another 3-4. I believe the 2 I have now are males as they both dug out large territory in the 5 gallon and after a couple days in the new tank, they've got large piles of sand moved all over.

I'm looking for some advice on what else to put in with the shellies. From my research so far, seems like good candidates might be:

Paracyprichromis nigripinnis
Julidochromis ornatus
Synodontis Petricola (Lucipinnis)

I'd like to get the Synodontis to help clean up/keep algae at bay, can I keep just one of these?

I am definitely not looking to overstock too much so I'm open to any suggestions, even those outside the Tang community.

edit: Wanted to say, I've got a good amount of shells (with more on the way) and a rock outcrop set up. I'll post a picture tonight when I get out of work.
Thanks!

 

[Hendre]

I'd like to get the Synodontis to help clean up/keep algae at bay, can I keep just one of these?

Hi, I have found that a good sand stir alongside a toothbrush for algae is much better than a syno. Lazy things, well in a cleaning sense.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Hello;
Your ideas would work for tankmates. Most of the smaller-mid size tanganyikans can live alongside shelldwellers with no problems.

N. Caudopunctatus is another idea, they are pseudo-shelldwellers themselves. Very pretty.
A. Compressiceps can be kept with shellies as well. Though, if your goal is to have them breed and fry survive, the comp's will probably eat the fry. This is true of most other fish too, however.

The synodontis won't do much for controlling algae, they are scavengers and don't have the right type of mouth for really scraping surfaces. As Hendre suggests, removing algae by hand is probably best. Though I might suggest something a little bigger than a toothbrush

 

[Hendre]

Though I might suggest something a little bigger than a toothbrush

I use a sponge and toothbrush. Brush gets the stubborn algae off of the glass and hardscape

 

[le0p]

Hello;
N. Caudopunctatus is another idea, they are pseudo-shelldwellers themselves. Very pretty.
A. Compressiceps can be kept with shellies as well. Though, if your goal is to have them breed and fry survive, the comp's will probably eat the fry. This is true of most other fish too, however.

The synodontis won't do much for controlling algae, they are scavengers and don't have the right type of mouth for really scraping surfaces. As Hendre suggests, removing algae by hand is probably best. Though I might suggest something a little bigger than a toothbrush

Thanks! I'll check those out as well, both look very cool.

Good to know on the Synodontis, I had just read a description from an online retailer claiming the Lucipinnis would eat algae but I'm still in the market for a scavenger so I'll probably still pick one up.

The toothbrush is my primary algae tool! I've run more than a few planted tanks in the past and that's easiest way to get into rock and wood crevices.

 

[le0p]

Pictures as promised, light looks really blue here but it's not as much in person.. more shells coming Friday

 

[Thomas18]

If you want to keep Julidochromis in there i would increase the size of that rock pile, i would make it cover close too 1/3 of the tank, maybe a little less.

 

[Wharf]

Julidichromis Regani "Kipili" have always been one of my favorite julies. They do get 5" eventually, but they have really nice color...There are some nice transcriptus and they are around 3 inches like ornatus. I love Paracyps and they might work with a Julie in a small tank; however, the Julie might own that little rock pile. I really like the idea of N. Caudopunctatus...they are feisty for their size and they will not disappoint. I had some "multies," but I personally found them boring. If you don't go for the caudopunks... I have always liked the personality of Brevis & Ocellatus too.

It's hard to find a good fish for the top of the tank in a 30 gallon...most of your fish will be hovering around the rock work and bottom. If you ever get a a bigger tank get some Cyps then you can get the whole water column covered and they look amazing...pricey...but amazing

I wouldn't do comps or calvus in a 30, but the shell dweller Altolamprologus "sumbu dwarf" is a mini comp that only gets 3 inches and a really cool fish...just a little on the shy side.

You could always just get a pair of Neolamps like Brichardi or Pulcher and watch them proliferate like single-celled organisms. Your tank will fill with fry in no time, but no other fish will be compatable. Avoid Trets they are nasty little buggers....but man do they have crazy spawns.

Get caudopunks!

 

[le0p]

If you want to keep Julidochromis in there i would increase the size of that rock pile, i would make it cover close too 1/3 of the tank, maybe a little less.

Thanks, I can add bit more if I decide to get julies. I've been wondering if it was enough after seeing some other tanks on here.

Julidichromis Regani "Kipili" have always been one of my favorite julies. They do get 5" eventually, but they have really nice color...There are some nice transcriptus and they are around 3 inches like ornatus. I love Paracyps and they might work with a Julie in a small tank; however, the Julie might own that little rock pile. I really like the idea of N. Caudopunctatus...they are feisty for their size and they will not disappoint. I had some "multies," but I personally found them boring. If you don't go for the caudopunks... I have always liked the personality of Brevis & Ocellatus too.

It's hard to find a good fish for the top of the tank in a 30 gallon...most of your fish will be hovering around the rock work and bottom. If you ever get a a bigger tank get some Cyps then you can get the whole water column covered and they look amazing...pricey...but amazing

I wouldn't do comps or calvus in a 30, but the shell dweller Altolamprologus "sumbu dwarf" is a mini comp that only gets 3 inches and a really cool fish...just a little on the shy side.

You could always just get a pair of Neolamps like Brichardi or Pulcher and watch them proliferate like single-celled organisms. Your tank will fill with fry in no time, but no other fish will be compatable. Avoid Trets they are nasty little buggers....but man do they have crazy spawns.

Get caudopunks!

Awesome info, thanks! Even for a 30g there's so many choices... I like the caudopunks, and that Sumbu Dwarf is really cool, well all of them are cool actually.

Just want to be sure I get what you're saying, would the caudopunks and brichardi/pulcher be compatibale with shell dwellers or are they a species only type of fish in this small of setup?

Heading to the fish store this weekend to pick up the new inhabitants so trying to get as much info as I can before going in.. Probably going to make the final decision there after checking them all out.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Caudopunctatus can be kept with the multis, I would increase the rock pile though. The caudopuncts are opportunistic shell dwellers, they prefer rocky caves but if not available or not enough, they will live in shells. Which is where you might run into problems, if they end up fighting the multis over shells. But you can avoid this by giving them plenty of rock caves, which the multis will ignore.
The brichardi are a little too aggressive for the multi's in my experience. Not too sure about pulcher.