Looking for a good shell dweller tank? What exactly makes a good shell dweller tank?
Great shell dweller tanks
shellies
New fish, which shells will they choose?
In 2020, I posted about a research article that discussed shell selection among Neoamprologus multifasciatus (multis) in Lake Tanganyika. So what shells do aquarium housed shell dwellers prefer?
New fish on the way!
I have some exciting news (well, it’s exciting for me). After acquiring new tanks, as well as considerable planning and rearranging, I have some new fish coming soon. What am I getting?
So many species and too few tanks
If you have truly been bitten by the cichlid keeping bug, then you’re probably experiencing the “need more tanks” syndrome. I have been there. In fact, after two decades of fish keeping, I am still there. This post is a bit of a follow-up from the previous post.
No substrate, no problem
If you’re not keeping shellies and want to save yourself some time and effort, ditch the sand. In fact, unless you’re keeping species that genuinely make use of the substrate, such as eartheaters or shellies, or you’re keeping plants that need it, go bare bottom. Why?
Reconciling lots of cover with cleaning
Unlike most tropical, freshwater fish, many species of cichlids prefer adequate cover for hiding and spawning. This is especially true for mbuna, pikes, and many lamprologines. Such cover can consist of rocks, caves, wood, etc. In fact, it’s often beneficial to have a substantial amount of cover if your tank contains multiple species, especially breeding pairs.
More shell discussion for shell dwellers
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.
Interested in shellies? Stay shallow
If you’re new to shellies (typically short for shell dwelling cichlids), give serious consideration to the size tank you choose. Sure, shellies will work in both small and large tanks. However, if you don’t already have a tank, consider one that is lower profile.