Question on shellies.

[rufioman]

I have 3 Neolamprologus boulengeri (2" each) in a 20g regular and was wondering if I could either up that number or add some other species of fish. Not much room in the tank as it's only a 20g, but it's got plenty of shells and a giant rock wall taking up the entire backside for hiding. Filtration is an Aquaclear 30. Any help appreciated.

 

[Pittbull]

Two different shellies in a small setup will be problematic for you i would stick with what you have if you feel like you don't have a pair yet than you can try to add 2 more.

 

[rufioman]

I've seen two of the three locking jaws and hanging out away from the third fish. I'll just wait and see what happens and add one or two..these three seem to enjoy the exclusivity of the tank though. Thanks, man I appreciate it.

 

[Pittbull]

No problem

 

[rufioman]

I was looking at multies today and wondering if I got a 40g breeder or 55 I could add 3 or so of them in with the N. boulengeri, or raise the boulengeri number to 6. Would the increased thank size and overstocking of shells help?

 

[efors]

Sorry my friend, but I really don't know who the N. boulengeri is.

 

[rufioman]

They're northern Tanganyika shellies. Territorial and aggressive but they're doing fine in the 20g they're in.

 

[jpappy789]

From a quick reading they are similar to hecqui and meeli...possibly a hybridization including one of those as well. :huh:

Anyways, a 55 might give you enough space but I would make sure to place something like a rockpile in the center of the tank to physically break up the two shell pits.

 

[rufioman]

LFS guy said he'd never seen or heard of them before haha. Ah man, gotta love people who have no idea what they're doing at fish stores.

Either way I should have mentioned I was going to divide the tank if it didnt' work haha, my bad. If separating the tank naturally with rocks 1/2 way up doesn't work, I'm going to divide the 55 into two 27.5g tanks. One will be multie's and the other side my 3 happy boule's. I just want them to be happy and give me some frye.

 

[Pittbull]

It may work a visible barrier like the middle rock pile will play a role..