Hi I'm in the process of setting up a small shell dweller tank and in reasearching for them I've become slightly obsessed with Tanganyikans generally and trying to get my head around them. I've kept South and Central Americans for 10-15 years but for the first time being lured to the old world.
In the next 12 or so months I want to set up a large tank as part of a fish room and these are in the number 1 spot and I want to understand what my options are. The tank will be a minimum of 4x2x2 but tempted by making it 30 inches wide and tall as it feels like it will give me more options? I'll be using RO water so able to adjust the ph and hardness to what ever I need to do for them. I know with a 4 foot length that would rule out the giants of the lake like Frontosa etc but I'm ok with that.
I've been really interested in learning about the different groups, rock dwellers, open water, sand sifters etc and how they can interact with each other. I have always really admired Tropheus but know next to nothing about them, a lot of tanks I've seen seem to only keep them as a species only tank - is this the general rule with them or are there any combinations that can work?
If I wanted to keep a mixed community are there any species that I should 100% avoid? And equally are there families that make for good combinations? After years of admiring the subtle beauty (comparatively to some old worlds) of Americans, I want to go for a lot of colour.
Many thanks in advance of any help
Wills
In the next 12 or so months I want to set up a large tank as part of a fish room and these are in the number 1 spot and I want to understand what my options are. The tank will be a minimum of 4x2x2 but tempted by making it 30 inches wide and tall as it feels like it will give me more options? I'll be using RO water so able to adjust the ph and hardness to what ever I need to do for them. I know with a 4 foot length that would rule out the giants of the lake like Frontosa etc but I'm ok with that.
I've been really interested in learning about the different groups, rock dwellers, open water, sand sifters etc and how they can interact with each other. I have always really admired Tropheus but know next to nothing about them, a lot of tanks I've seen seem to only keep them as a species only tank - is this the general rule with them or are there any combinations that can work?
If I wanted to keep a mixed community are there any species that I should 100% avoid? And equally are there families that make for good combinations? After years of admiring the subtle beauty (comparatively to some old worlds) of Americans, I want to go for a lot of colour.
Many thanks in advance of any help
Wills