Since I started the blog nearly a decade ago, I haven’t posted much about Neothauma tanganyicense, the snail found throughout Lake Tanganyika. However, there is plenty of information about them available.
More shell discussion for shell dwellers
Neothauma tanganyicense
Shell beds and shellie fry survivability
If you’re a fan of Tanganyikan shell dwellers and you want to maximize fry survivability, consider the density of your shell bed and other factors. Actual shell beds in Lake Tanganyika are typically very dense. In fact, they’re so dense that they’re often feet thick. Also, water in the lake is highly alkaline and the shells are comprised of calcium carbonate. As a result, the shells break down in the water over time. Combine this with the shell bed density and the shells fuse together, creating giant, solid mounds of shells. The advantage of such a biotope is the cover created for shell dwelling species, their offspring, and even other dwarf species.
What shell characteristics do Neolamprologus multifasciatus prefer?
In the wild, creatures of all sorts have a plethora of options for shelter, breeding, nesting, etc. Some build their own, and others simply take advantage of what’s around them. Fish are no different.
However, your tank is not “the wild.” What is available to your cichlids is what you provide. They can’t move off to another area in search of something different or better. You force them to choose from what you give them. So if provided multiple options, what would your cichlids choose and/or use?
Shells for dwelling, breeding, and hiding
Many cichlid keepers new to the hobby often want to know what the best shell is for their particular Tanganyikan shell dweller(s). The answer to that question isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. For one, most cichlids in the hobby are captive bred, and thus shells must be introduced to their aquarium. Secondly, providing a variety of shells doesn’t guarantee that your shell dwellers will select those that are endemic to the lake.
It’s widely accepted that the shell of the Neothauma tanganyicense snail (pictured below), the largest gastropod in the lake, is preferred by most of the resident shell dwelling cichlids. It makes sense that these shells, which aren’t very large at their maximum size, would be the shell of choice. They’re large enough and abundant. However, for domestically bred cichlids that aren’t naturally exposed to Neothauma shells, it means other options are widely available. Furthermore, the shell selection process of the shellies is more a product of individual preference, and there are many variables that affect that choice, especially when breeding – ability to move the shell, the size of the female relative to the shell, etc.
Shell of the Neothauma tanganyicense snail. Photo from http://www.conchology.be/.
I have kept two shell dwelling species of Tanganyikans – Telmatochromis vittatus and ‘Lamprolgus’ ocellatus. However, I experienced other dwarf cichlids that will seek shelter in shells, specifically Altolamprologus calvus. I bred ocellatus and, while a bit selective, they didn’t always choose a single shell species when presented with multiple options. Below are some of the shells I’ve made available to my shellies in the past.
Various shells for shell dwellers (aperture side down). Photo courtesy of the author.
Various shells for shell dwellers (aperture side up). Photo courtesy of the author.
With my N. ocellatus, I’ve had the most success using a Babylonia japonica, which is the shell at the six o’clock position above. Lots of shellie keepers advocate for Apple snail shells, but for some reason, my ocellatus just didn’t find them attractive. A couple of the shells above are turbo species, which I thought might also be appealing but weren’t. My juvenile A. calvus would seek shelter in the Apple snail shells (the large, dark shell at the ten o’clock position above) but abandoned them once they grew too large to fit.
Needless to say, your shell dwellers may readily take to any of the shells you provide. They might also be picky and not like their choices. Shells aren’t very expensive, so you might give them at least a few options and see what works for you.