I have started to toy with the idea of putting together tank with multis or some other small shell dweller. This would be brand new for me, I have only ever kept new world fish but I think this would be a cool addition and their behavior is so unique. I'm thinking a 20g but would love folks thoughts. I have 33g but it has 2 decent sized chips in a corner and I'm nervous about that.
Thinking of putting together a shellie species specfic tank - what's people's experience?
- Thread starter rvaducks
- Start date
Leffler817
CCA Members
20high or 20long?
Definitely worth trying. Shellies are FUN!!! There are several people in the club who have different varieties. It’s shocking to experience getting nipped on the arm while you’re cleaning or rearranging the tank! Wondering where the assailant came from and how the heck a 1” fish would think to take a run at something 4000 times its size would make sense!!!
Definitely worth trying. Shellies are FUN!!! There are several people in the club who have different varieties. It’s shocking to experience getting nipped on the arm while you’re cleaning or rearranging the tank! Wondering where the assailant came from and how the heck a 1” fish would think to take a run at something 4000 times its size would make sense!!!
CichlidDan
Members
If you want a good size group of the shellies I’d go with at least 33 or 40 gallon.
Personally I'd fill the 33 with water and let it sit for a week or two and as long as nothing leaks I'd run with it. I have a few tanks with chips and no issues. As far as multis go I have 3 tanks with them, absolutely love them. 20G, 50 lowboy and a 55 gallon. I am considering combining into a 125 or larger. They are awesome fish, one of my favorites to sit back and watch. If you decide to start a tank send me a PM once you have it cycled with shells.
Thanks for the offer. I'm more and more settled on building put a tank. I'm leaning toward either picking up a 40g breeder or using a 55 standard. which I already have. Seems like a no brainer to go with the tank I have already but the down side is the extra height takes away focus from the bottom of the tank where the shellies will be. The other worry I have is over breeding. I don't really have any fish to feed culls to and while I can cull with clove oil, it not something I prefer.
Pretty sure your LFS will happily take your excess, there's also the fish club auctions and forums to give them away/sell. Don't feed small foods and keep the temp on the lower end of their range and you won't get as many fry.
Just picked up a 60g breeder and will be building a stand this weekend. Next step, filtration. Do you reccomend a canister filter? Maybe an FX4? I know a sponge filter would be safer for fry but I'm not neccesarily keeping for the intent of breeding.
Also, with a 60g, should I keep it a species only tank? I want the focus on the shellies but is there a single fish or two that could be added to provide something else cool to look at?
CichlidDan
Members
If you put rocks in the tank a pair of calvus or julidochromis.
dogofwar
CCA Members
More surface area is definitely what you want for shellies. And, of course, shells (or 1/2" PVC pieces) for them to hide and breed.
What are the dimensions of a 60 breeder? If it's a tall 55g, I'd add some fish for the upper reaches of the tank because the shellies will stay at the bottom and the tank will seem empty. I've not tried it but Cyprichromis could be a choice also from Lake Tang. Something I have done is kept them with goodeid livebearers and/or schooling fish like giant danios.
What are the dimensions of a 60 breeder? If it's a tall 55g, I'd add some fish for the upper reaches of the tank because the shellies will stay at the bottom and the tank will seem empty. I've not tried it but Cyprichromis could be a choice also from Lake Tang. Something I have done is kept them with goodeid livebearers and/or schooling fish like giant danios.
It's more of a short 75g. 48l x 18w x 16t
dogofwar
CCA Members
Even better.
Hey! I'm also setting up a shellie tank, it's currently 2 weeks into cycling with a couple more to go but otherwise it's all set up. I'm new here and couldn't figure out how to PM you 😬 but would love to talk with you when you have a chance!
You just have to make a few more posts to PM or my email is my screen name at gmail
dogofwar
CCA Members
"Cycling" shouldn't take weeks. Just get some filter fluff, a sponge filter or something with existing bacteria from another healthy tank and you're good to go. Instantly.
Well, I did use media and a used cartridge filter from a previous tank to help get it started, and I've definitely heard of folks starting up their tanks sooner But I've been testing every two days and it's still in a nitrite/nitrate spike that's a little less than ideal. It might be ok but I'd rather give a little bit more time and have it be a little more stable
dogofwar
CCA Members
What's the source of nitrite (or nitrate) with no fish in there?
You need an existing tank. If you have a tank running, you can use dune media from that. If you don't then you have to do it the long way.
this is exactly what i did!
jonclark96
Past CCA President
Matt's question is about what is creating the nitrate/nitrite. The only way you have nitrite in a tank is if it is present in your tap water or some organism is creating ammonia that is converted to nitrite.
Oh good point. I lost track of who was asking what.
