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New Shell Dwelling Cichlids! (Also some questions)

5K views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  rockarolla70 
#1 ·
So last weekend I drove 2 hours to the closest Aquarium Society Meeting and they had an auction for several things and lucky for me, there were 2 bags of Neolamprologus multifasciatus, Shell dwelling cichlids which I have been looking for off and on for several months. The only place I could find them sold them for 12$ a fish, waaaay too pricy for me.

So I won the auction for 10 of them and 20 shells for 18$! :-D


I've fed them some large carnivore pellets that I crushed up but can anyone recommend a good stable flake/pellet food? The carnivore pellets are expensive and messy. The ones I have seem young so something that would help them grow would be appreciated. I'm debating on whether to try live food or not, still a bit squeamish e.e

Also, does anyone know where I can get more shells for pretty cheap?
I have 25 in there now, would definitely like some more.

I have them in a 10 gallon for now, looking for a 15 gallon for sale as which should house them better.
The tank looks pretty barren though so I was also wondering about some possible tankmates?


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I also needed to share my dog who hilariously went through the garbage.
Dog Mammal Vertebrate Dog breed Canidae

She apparently supports Arbys.
 
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#2 ·
Hilarious.
:rofl:
The dog, I mean.

Once one of my cats got its head stuck in a Kleenex Box. It wasn't as good, though, because I couldn't see its facial expression. My other cats were impressed, though, as it went blindly thumping down the hall with a box on its head.

Poor Filbert!

The Shell Dwellers are cute as buttons.

They won't eat much, so small (very small) pelleted cichlid food (spectrum) would work as a staple. I know the initial cost of a container of Spectrum is somewhat daunting, but so worth it.

Shell dwellers live in pretty barren area of the lake, hence the need to hole up in shells. I won't recommend tankmates since I have not kept these, but some vallisneria might soften up the look of the tank.

What a great deal! Enjoy these beautiful little fish!
 
#3 ·
Sounds amusing X3


Thank you, I'll look into spectrum. Do you know if they make a sinking pellet for cichlids?



I wasnt dead set on tankmates so thats fine. I'd put valls in my tank but they grow incredibly fast in my water, I have some in my 20g long that are easily over three feet.

Though I suppose they would appreciate some cover from the valls growing over the top of the tank, I'll throw some in and see how it goes, thanks!
 
#4 ·
I have three in a ten with chiclid sand substrate. Watching them dig is cool.
Flake and live brine shrimp.
They've not spawned,darn it.
I bought shells online. Try Googling. My bookmarks are at home, I'll post the URL if I remember this evening.

I'm envious!

Wayne
 
#5 ·
Thank you!
I actually pulled up some escargot shells that seem to work perfectly, the reviews are all from people who used them for their cichlids.

Thats awesome they eat brine shrimp, i was tempted to buy some since they look so neat but I didnt have a reason to until now XD
 
#9 ·
They are very interesting fish from what I've seen so far, I look forward to seeing how they act when I get them in a bigger tank!
 
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