View Full Version : Breeding shell dwellers
Andy16
03-28-2003, 11:05 PM
I am getting rid of my mbuna and making my 20 gallon tank a shell dweller breeding tank. I am hoping to sell the fry since i need a job and am not old enough to get one. For filtration i have a penguin 170 and an AC mini. I have taihitain moon sand and slate. I will buy shells for them when i get rid of my other fish. And i am trading them into my lfs for store credit. I am not giving them to a friendor killing them. I was asked how i was geting rid of them on another site so i decided to mention it here right away. I want to breed moderatly hard shell dwellers. I was thinking about trying some lamprologus ocellatusm, neolamprologus caudopuntatus, and neolamprologus multifacsiatus. I will probably just get what ever is at my lfs. I really like the ocellatus. I was thinking 1 male and 3 females of like 4 different species of fish. Im pretty sure that with my filtration and the fishes adust size,they will do fine. I have read they only have a 5 inch territory during breeding time. So not all of my fish will be breeding at the same time which will mean it wont be as tight. Maybe only 2 pairs at a time. Otherwise im sure they will all get along. At least this is what i have read. The breeding thing is my own theory though. Some otehr species that i really like are lamprologus ornatipinnis and lamprologus signatus. there is also lamprologus calliurus and lamprologus pleuromaculatus. What are some good suggestions and ideas for this tank? And what type of species would you recommend? and last, if i am sucessful enough, who would i be able to sell my fish to?
Andy16
03-29-2003, 9:21 PM
also what type of shells should i get?
Nyasa
03-29-2003, 10:23 PM
Hi Andy,
Shelldwellers would be a perfect choice for your 20 gallon tank. However if you are considering breeding them for resale I would recommend against keeping more than one species in any given tank. These fish are very likely to crossbreed. And nobody will want to buy these fish. Your filtration sounds good. I bought some shells to start my tank from www.shellsaplenty.com . I bought the gold mouth turbo shells. I haven't yet purchased the fish as I have a few fish still growing out in my 20. Soon though. I am thinking of going with Neolamprologous multifasciatus. Still trying to find suitable tankmates. I've heard julies are alright if the tank is larger and has rocks. Some people have kept rainbowfish with their shelldwellers as well. Best of luck. HTH.
David.
ChilDawg
03-30-2003, 6:31 AM
http://www.cichlidae.com/tanks/t016.html
ChilDawg
03-30-2003, 6:32 AM
http://www.aquariacentral.com/articles/shelldwellers.shtml
ChilDawg
03-30-2003, 6:33 AM
http://www.tanganyikan-cichlids.co.uk/Articles.htm
ChilDawg
03-30-2003, 6:34 AM
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/shelldweller_corner.php
ChilDawg
03-30-2003, 6:36 AM
For Tanganyikans, you should use which type of snail shells?
I would go with those from snails from the genus Neothauma, which would be the most natural ones for your shellies, but, failing that, any snail shell into which they would fit would be fine. (Apple snails would be among my first choices, as they have pretty large shells.)
Andy16
03-30-2003, 8:24 AM
thanks for the replys. So if i wanted to sell them what would be the best choice that would be able to have me make more money rather then lose more money? i have never bred fish before but i have been keeping fish since i was like 7 or 8(im 13). Im sure i can do it.
ChilDawg
03-30-2003, 9:20 AM
It depends on if you can get a large enough market for the rarer ones. If that is possible, you could go with those, but, if it is not, it will be hard to make money on the more common ones. Ask rarecichlids because he knows a lot about selling cichlids.
Andy16
03-30-2003, 9:51 AM
How big should hte shells be?
Andy16
03-30-2003, 10:11 PM
now im getting new rocks if i can make a profit off my fish. im getting too involved. also thinking about getting an actual stand. at least my mom would like it:p
I wouldn't get into breeding fish for the money aspect. If you think breeding fish is lucrative on a small scale you are dead wrong.
I would get fish that you like, that are compatible with one another, and try to recreate their original environment as best you can.
If they happen to breed, then excellent. The money you make may be just enough to pay for their food. :) :)
Joker
Andy16
04-01-2003, 4:04 PM
When i get the money i am going to breed rare expensive shellies. They will be wildly caught to. Im not expecting to get a lot of money anyways. And what might be a small amount of money to you is probably a large amount for me. Like ill get the EXACT amount of money i need to get something and not get more then needed.