Shell Dwellers

[Deborah]

I just set up a 20 gallon tank for theTanganyikan shell dwellers Neolamprologus multifaciatis and I'm going to attempt to attach a photo (don't know if that's going to work.)

The fish are camera shy so as soon as I tried to take a photo all the sand moving stopped. However I think you can see in the photos that there is a lot of topography in the sand. When I put the four 1" long fish in the tank last Friday the sand was pretty much flat, with shells sitting on top of the sand. Since they are so small they can only move about 20 grains of sand in each mouthful which means they have done a lot of work!

Deborah

[tabwyo]

They will definetly get bigger. Then the tanks in trouble. Cichlids have a whole bob-the-builder complex goin on. If you plan on haveing rock work then I'd sugest setting up the rocks then adding the sand. That way the rock rest on the tank floor and not on sand. thus avoiding a colapse and possible tank breakage just cuz your fish decide to play Indiana Jones and go excavatin under your rock work.

[Deborah]

Hi Tabwyo:
Well, they won't get much bigger. Multies are tied with another shell dweller speicies for smallest cichlid in the world. Males max out at 1.75 - 2 inches, females at .75 - 1 inch. I don't plan on rock work as this is to be a species tank for the multies and they just like shells and sand. They reportedly breed easily and will establish a community even in tanks as small as 10 gallons.

Deborah

[tabwyo]

They do breed easily. But I have kept Multies that get up to 3 inches. If you want them to get jiggy the provide alot of shells for them to choose from. I breed them for a local store. I have been a cichlid nut for years.

[Stang69]

Out of all the African Cichlids I have had I must admit the shellies are the most fun and do breed like rabbits.

I have seen Males fight over a female and a shell till finally one male will run the fem in the shell grab the whole shell and move it to his side of the tank ROFL!
Sometimes this happens a cpl times befor a pecking order is established for a cpl days. Goold luck with your shellies hope they do well for you.


Jeff

Sorry I am so behind on my posts been doin long hours at work and I am just veat when I get home

[Deborah]

"I am just veat when I get home"
Wow! I've been tired after work sometimes but I've never been "veat"! That sounds intense.

I love your story about the males hauling the females AND their shells around the tank. I need to get some escargot shells that are a little lighter than the ones I have currently so they can move them around.

Deborah