Looking for information on lamprologus melagris

[Pearl]

I've decide that my next tank will be devoted to shell cichlids. When I mentioned this to the woman who runs the freshwater department in my favorite lfs, she offered to buy the juveniles if I raised lamprologus melagris or lamprologus speciosus. So is there anyone who has experience with these shellies? And if so, would you be so kind as to tell me what conditions they require for ultimum health? Thank you.

[jpappy789]

My understanding is that both are similar to L. ocellatus in terms of care...they can be conspecific aggressive, so you'll have to keep an eye out for any nasty individuals. Since you have a home for fry that may not become a problem.

I'd go with at least a 15-20 gallon tank, lined with basically shells. With more colonial species I would recommend starting off with at least a trio, but not exactly sure how that may work out with the more territorial species.

[toddnbecka]

I wouldn't keep more than one pair in anything smaller than a 55. Sorting is the same as any pair-bonding substrate spawner, start with a group of juvies and swap off the extras after you have an established pair. Keep a close eye on them, and be prepared to move any individuals that need to be.
Tank setup requires hard, alkaline water, so crushed coral is helpful (as substrate or in a filter) for buffering. They do like sand, and a number of shells scattered around the tank to choose from. They don't care for their fry past the free-swimming stage; at that point they're on their own, and liable to be eaten soon after. If you use sand for a substrate a coarse grade like pool filter sand is better. If you use hob filters in a tank with sand make sure the intakes are either covered ot high enough that the fish won't "spit" sand close enough for it to reach the impellers.

[jpappy789]

I wouldn't keep more than one pair in anything smaller than a 55. Sorting is the same as any pair-bonding substrate spawner, start with a group of juvies and swap off the extras after you have an established pair. Keep a close eye on them, and be prepared to move any individuals that need to be.
Tank setup requires hard, alkaline water, so crushed coral is helpful (as substrate or in a filter) for buffering. They do like sand, and a number of shells scattered around the tank to choose from. They don't care for their fry past the free-swimming stage; at that point they're on their own, and liable to be eaten soon after. If you use sand for a substrate a coarse grade like pool filter sand is better. If you use hob filters in a tank with sand make sure the intakes are either covered ot high enough that the fish won't "spit" sand close enough for it to reach the impellers.
That makes more sense.

[Pearl]

Hello JP and Todd,

Thanks for the input. This gives me a few things to consider. Originally, I thought some multis in a 20 or 30 gallon tank would be nice, but then the woman at the lfs steered me towards the l. melagris. They are stunning little fishes. If I was to do a 55 gallon tank and get multiple pairs, what other species could I keep with them? Or maybe I should set up a couple of 20 gallon tanks and get two pair? Mmm...

Also, Todd, my chanchitos are doing fine. They haven't spawned yet but the female now follows the male around like a teen-age girl with a bad crush, so maybe they'll get around to it eventually, huh?

[jpappy789]

You could possibly get two pairs in the 55 with some rockwork to visually and physically split up each territory. If you're aiming for maximum fry production I'd steer away from other tangs, but these shellies could definitely hold their own against julidochromis, calvus, leleupi, etc. Maybe ask the lady at the LFS if there is another species she's interested in buying. I used to have multies and j. transcriptus popping up at the same time in my 55 gallon.

[toddnbecka]

J. transcriptus are a safe bet to mix with shellies in a 55, particularly if you make a rockpile in the middle for a sight break. The Julies will hang around the rocks, and the shellies will occupy the ends of the tank. Calvus or comp's will pick off fry once they're free-swimming. Transcriptus are the least aggressive of the Julie complex, but will protect their own fry well enough from the shellies. Other Lamprologus species wouldn't be a good mix for a breeding tank, and any of the brichardi complex species would soon take over the whole tank.
A couple of 20 longs would be helpful for growing out fry. Or you could use the 20 longs as breeding tanks for a couple of pairs and grow out the fry in the 55. The ideal setup would be a 55 with dividers. As the shelly fry come along simply place a divider in to separate them from the parents. You could raise 2-3 spawns (depending on numbers) in the same tank that way with minimal disturbance to the parents or the fry.

[Pearl]

Okay, JP and Todd. You've both given me a few options I hadn't considered. This is definitely going to require some more thought. Mucho gracias!