So recently I bought three shell dwelling cichlids and put them in my ten gallon tank. I thought these were just regular fish until I researched a little and found out that they need shells and prefer sand in their tank. I also heard that they need hard water, which I don't know much about. I can get shells and sand, but I also wanted to put some other fish in there and now I'm afraid that I won't be able to since they are supposed to be territorial and don't generally mix well with others. Are there any other fish I can mix them with?
Parachromis2010-01-09T13:27:01Z
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Nothing too common... and you really don't want anything else in there. Shelldwellers like water with a pH over 8.0 and HARD .... they are from Lake Tanganyika. 3 is only a good number if two are female .... two males will get along on terms as long as one stays out of sight (what's the point of having it?). You can buffer up the pH by mixing crushed coral or limestone into the sand .... and they like LOTS of shells so they can pick their choice (and they do change their minds on choices). Here's a site dedicated to them http://www.shelldwellers.com/ You definitely need to stay on top of water quality with them as any ammonia will be more toxic in higher alkalinity .... a tank should be thoroughly cycled before introducing them.
If you want a "mixed community" tank you'll either need a bigger tank and different Shellie species,or just return them and start over.
i've got finished a splash examine on those adult adult males so i will answer what i will. a million. i think of you will possibly desire to commence with a somewhat super style for the reason that they do like being in communities, even with the actuality that they do no longer college at the same time. 2. 10 min, yet pass larger in case you may. 3. undecided 4. Escargot shells on ebay. undecided approximately the different kinds, yet perchance aquabid might desire to have some shells for shellies. 5. undecided approximately agression, yet i think of they do greater perfect in a species tank. hth