New to shellies

[LunarFlame]

Hey!
I am pretty new to shellies and I had a question or 2.

I plan on converting my 10g tank to a shellie tank one I set my 29 gallon up. What kind of substrate should I use? How many shellies would you reccommend in a 10g? Do they like plants? Any tankmates possible?


thanks!

[LittleMousling]

Hi LunarFlame!

The ideal species for a 10 gallon is Neolamprologus brevis, which is also one of the easiest-to-find species.
They like fine sand to dig and bury shells in.
I'd get six juveniles and let them pair off; at that point a pair would be great but two pairs might be able to fit, with a visual boundary (rocks, plants) down the center of the tank.
Plants are fine but they need to take up a minimum of floorspace. In my experience the best plants for sand are grassy types - vals, sag, harigrass, and so on.
I wouldn't recommend any tankmates in a 10.

Other options for a shellie species would be multifasciatus and similis, both of which like a thick layer of shells (as many as possible, really), I'd still suggest starting with six juveniles, and tankmates are definitely not a good idea.

[sman91wing]

Hey lunarflame.  For a 10g I would also say go with Brevis.  You may also be able to have a trio form from unsexed juvies, and that would be fine for 10 gallons, I currently have that exact setup.  Go with the sand, and don't be scared off by the high prices at your lfs, you can use play sand or pool filter sand from Lowe's or whatever home improvement store is in your area.  

[LunarFlame]

Thanks for the tips everyone I have been reading some of the other info on this site and it is very helpful!

I am not positive if i can get shellies yet, as i have to travel to the city to find out if they have some, but wish me luck!

[Mattf]

Good luck. You'll need it.

How are those fellas doing, Sman?

I'm a pool filter sand user. It's nine bucks for fifty pounds here, coarser than most sand, and pretty. The larger grains make it sink faster and it doesn't get sucked up into the filter as easily. they can dig just the same. I've ranted about it many a time.

I would recommend a breeding group of multies, a male and a handful of females. Naturally, you'll want to start out with a few juvies and dump extra males later. No tankmates, and my trio is more than happy in my ten. Just bred this morning.

They don't NEED shells on top of shells, but I'm sure it would help. And don't do much more than an inch and a half to two of sand if you go with these guys. You'll want upwards of two shells a female.

[belmont0182]

if you cant find any shellies at your lfs go to the trading post of cichlid forum and post a wanted for shellies in your area...come to think of it id do that before i went to all my lfs's...ive found that private breeders have much lower prices than petstores.

[Miles44]

I have a ten gallon tank with Multies.  They seem to do good.  But you will need to do something with the fry when it gets to over populated.