Lake Tanganyika Species

by **reddhawkk** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:51 pm

How big are the shells used by shelldwellers? I was told escargot shells on ebay but there seems to be several sizes. I was curious as to how big the shells you all use are and how big are the openings.

by **reddhawkk** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:54 pm

Will apple snail shells work or are they too big?

by **vince0** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:02 pm

I've dropped in applesnail shells of various sizes and my fish have used them.

by **FinalJenemba** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:54 pm

Just get these: http://www.amazon.com/Chantifrais-Escar ... 620&sr=8-1

They are cheap and there's no reason to use anything else. I used two boxes for my 29g and the fish love them.

by **starplayer** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 4:49 pm

I have occies and they prefer escargot shells. I also have land snail shells which are 3-4 inch in diameter which my caudopunks prefer. They are facultative shellies though.

by **Deeda** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:51 pm

Shell size will depend on the particular species of fish you are planning on keeping.

I've tried the Muffin snail shells (land snail) with my Caudopunctatus and they aren't interested in them for spawning. They seem to prefer the rocks instead.

My Similis will use Escargot & large Whale eye shells, the Occies like large Whale eye & Muffin snail shells, and the Ornatipinnis like Muffin snail shells also.

What shellies were you considering?

by **reddhawkk** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 7:32 pm

It is no longer considering. I was given a really good deal on 10 caudopunctatus and 7 compressiceps sumbu dwarf. I now have two tanks of shellies!

by **reddhawkk** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 7:34 pm

What would be a good companions for the caudopunctatus?

by **Ptyochromis** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 8:03 pm

Apple snail eggs are great as are escargot eggs. Stay away from marine shells (or shells that are heavy/thick) as many shell dwellers will move them around.

I keep shellies, it's almost a religion

. I use these http://www.amazon.com/Chantifrais-Escargot-Shells-36-Count-Box/dp/B000FAIR5U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333670543&sr=8-1 I swear by them, and they are wonderfully cheap and come very clean.

Edit: I used 1 whole box for a 4' 55gal with ornatipinnis and another box for a 10g tank of multis.

by **Ptyochromis** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 8:07 pm

reddhawkk wrote:It is no longer considering. I was given a really good deal on 10 caudopunctatus and 7 compressiceps sumbu dwarf. I now have two tanks of shellies!

Eeeek! I would recommend a 5' tank or 2 tanks (with sand)

. I never mix species of shell dweller, too much competition for shells and territory. Never kept sumbu, but if they are anything like other Altolamprologus they are notorious fry/egg eaters. Be warned.

by **24Tropheus** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 9:22 pm

Ptyochromis wrote:
reddhawkk wrote:It is no longer considering. I was given a really good deal on 10 caudopunctatus and 7 compressiceps sumbu dwarf. I now have two tanks of shellies!

Eeeek! I would recommend a 5' tank or 2 tanks (with sand) . I never mix species of shell dweller, too much competition for shells and territory. Never kept sumbu, but if they are anything like other Altolamprologus they are notorious fry/egg eaters. Be warned.

Erm I dissagree. I have up to three species of shellys in my tanks. punks and sumbu work well together down to about big three foot tanks or better 4 foot, 5 is overkill.

Sure sumbu will get some young (just as te caudos will get some sumbu young if you are lucky enough to get those to breed (far harder)) but if the caudos work as a teem they should be able to raise young. Its the sumbu that may lose too many for it to be a good mix.

But a breeding tank contains just one species. Of caurse.

All the best James

by **reddhawkk** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 11:55 pm

They are still small and both have their own tank

Lake Tanganyika Species • Shells

Shells

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