Guide to Shell Dwellers - The Best African Cichlid for Small Aquariums
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Күн бұрынShell dwellers are wonderful, small fish that have a lot of personality and are great to keep, especially for smaller aquariums. They are the perfect nano African Cichlids.
If you liked this video, you may enjoy this Malawi Cichlid care guide video: • Guide to African Cichl...
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Shell Dweller article on website: www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aq...
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:25 - Into The AM
2:12 - Shell Dwellers - What are they and where they from?
3:55 - Where to get shell dwellers
4:40 - Why they are good fish to keep
8:39 - Challenges in keeping these fish
10:10 - Setting up a shell dweller tank
16:30 - Breeding shell dwellers
19:20 - Final thoughts
#aquariumfish #tropicalfish #fishtank
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Disclaimer: This video and description may contain affiliate links. I am also employed by Aquarium Co-Op, LLC. Some video content may be sponsored by Aquarium Co-Op.
@TazawaTanks 2 жыл бұрын
If you liked this video, you may enjoy this Malawi Cichlid care guide video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a8-YndOGmL_Fh4k.html INTO THE AM t-shirts discount link: intotheam.com/tazawa (this is not an affiliate link, only a discount link) Sand City Cichlids is out of business. Shell Dweller article on website: www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/shell-dwellers
@KrigareAvHallarna 2 күн бұрын
I'm a preschool teacher and I'm planning on setting up a shellie tank. Thanks so much for all the info!
@PROMOERECTUS 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Z!!! I've been waiting for this one.
@jessieworsham 2 жыл бұрын
The gold ocellatus are my favorite. Their mean little faces are so adorable!
@Davey333 Ай бұрын
Great video, thanks
@cichlid_kings 2 жыл бұрын
Awesome recommendations. Much appreciated Zenzo 😎
@drewsta005 2 жыл бұрын
Awesome vid! Wish I had the space, these guys are so cool!!
@michaelhaines3451 2 жыл бұрын
Great tip using the PVC elbows!
@apss5736 2 жыл бұрын
shelldwellers are awesome. watched some videos of lake tanganyika and the amount of fish found there is amazing
@marypaigeflynn4512 2 жыл бұрын
These are absolutely some of the coolest fish ever!! Prime Time Aquatics really got me to fall in love with them!! Zenzo I always love your videos and all the information and joy you bring to the hobby!! Thank you so much for this and I hope you're having a wonderful and blessed day 🙏🌿🐟🌿♥️
@patriciarawles554 2 жыл бұрын
Great video, this would be one of the first cichlids I would choose as a beginner!!!
@TheVoyagers. 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks as always!
@adamjungkuntz1357 2 жыл бұрын
I love your videos please keep making more.
@allendeufriend6930 2 жыл бұрын
Love your videos brother, I have a 75 gal. That’s been running for two years with only a handful of small algae eaters currently calling it home but have been looking for small colorful fish to add, thank you for all the great ideas.
@shesellsfish 2 жыл бұрын
Love shellies, they're on my bucket list. The shirts are awesome. 👍❤👍
@julianaquascaped 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this guide! Thanks to you and some recent research I did into cichlid speciation, I’ve suddenly become pretty interested in cichlids for the first time (usually more of a nano fish and shrimp guy). I think I’ll end up with a tank of shell-dwellers eventually :)
@amymandeville8342 2 жыл бұрын
I started a setup for multies and am excited to get mine from Sand City Cichlids!
@AaronLewisOfficial 2 жыл бұрын
Great video Zenzo! Ive been trying to get my hands on some of these for ages, but they are so hard to come by in Australia.......
@Bogrin 2 жыл бұрын
So now I guess I need a new 20g aquarium! Thanks for the helpful info!!
@stevesteve7272 2 жыл бұрын
I’m so glad I watched this video! I’ve been trying to find Multies locally and the only place that has them wants 27$ each!! Just ordered 12 from sand city cichlids and even with the cost of shipping I saved a bunch of money. Thank you! Great video 👍
@alisonnicholson 2 жыл бұрын
Wow! These are stunning looking little fish. Love the gold colour species especially. Thank you Zenzo 👍 gave me some food for thought there. I'll do a bit more research before I make a choice
@b1oh1 2 жыл бұрын
Similis are the best IMHO. Easy to breed and look great on a black or white substrate. Multies look like English bulldogs with their massive underbite. Brevis is pretty stunning as well. They're all relatively easy to keep but they have so much personality
@BamaHama914 2 жыл бұрын
Darn! Just got an order from Sand City yesterday and didn’t see this video until now. I got 5 of the coolest and biggest Similis I have ever ordered. Sand City has made my short list of suppliers
@JerseyBoy5110 2 жыл бұрын
Very cool
@peteriverson3145 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the informative video and article! I am a high school biology teacher, and I am setting up a 23 gallon (88 L) tank for multies with my students this semester. First time trying African cichlids, but I keep and breed different livebearers and medaka ricefish. We hope to add 6-7 fish soon, but we are still doing some water changes to clear up the dusty/cloudy aftermath from seachem's "Pearl Beach" aragonite sand (which we mixed with just regular sand to get deeper sand for the fish to interact with). Water here is super hard already (hence my livebearer success), but figured the aragonite sand wouldn't hurt.
@TheFarmLadyAquatics 2 жыл бұрын
I'm glad to be here❤😊
@jonas2431 2 жыл бұрын
Loving the shirt
@naegwut 2 жыл бұрын
I went to aquarium fish depot today. I've never seen so many cichlids before!
@sarahwoodring5587 2 жыл бұрын
I call that "burping" the shells 😂
@daveylarson2060 2 жыл бұрын
Bought my Similis from Sandy City great place to deal with !!!!!!!
@ndbyers23 2 жыл бұрын
Hi Zenzo! Great video! Of all the cichlids the shell dwellers sound the most interesting. I’m not into really aggressive fish. And although I like planted tanks, it’s nice to have a variety. I do have a question about another fish in the cichlid family, the pearl gourami. I have a 75 gallon tank that mostly has nano fish like chili rasboras and green neon tetras. And a bunch of corys. Would it work to add a few pearl gouramis to this tank and not have the chili rasboras get eaten? Thanks so much! I love your channel! @tazawa tanks
@suenosdeltanganyika 2 жыл бұрын
Good info. This fish is very funny!
@dcphifer4307 Жыл бұрын
Thanks Zenzo for a great review. I haven't had Cichlids before. I did have few different Dwarf Gourami Species about 17 years ago... from 1978 to 2005. But, I have been thinking about these larger fish to give lil dog some friends to watch. Except for my Betta, the Clean-up Crew are invisible sorta at that distance. I have been reading about the Blue Arcara and, just saw a video on the Zebra Acara when they are adults and are much more vibrant. I currently have a 37G Tall and a 55G. Meanwhile, I have my Betta and a few Clean-up Crew doing well in the10G. Just pondering.
@bwtjma183 Жыл бұрын
Can you use old hermit crab shells? Thanks for the content!
@jensmith8404 Жыл бұрын
hi can you tell me what light brand you use on the multi/shelly tanks?
@jensmith8404 Жыл бұрын
hi again, as you know im getting a 20 H tank ready for multi's, i have a aquaclear 70 on the tank, low flow setting.. i have a coarse pad at bottom, blue bonded pad and a fair amount of polyfill.. the small bag of chemi blue, topped off with 250ML of matrix.. my question is, i have a wave maker in the tank, i don't see shellie tanks with them, should i remove and put air stone in or maybe a sponge filter to agitate the water on top?
@kerrypitt9789 2 жыл бұрын
Zenzo I love the "Bob the Builder," reference!😂 But then I got thinking that they could easily use Shell Dwellers to make either a kids cartoon or a real life show, like the old Hammy the Hamster.
@audrameyer9558 2 жыл бұрын
Hi Zenzo. Excellent info! My multis just recently started spawning and my goodness, I can't even explain the joy seeing those fry brought me!! Teenie tiny versions of their parents...beautiful blue eyes and all 🥰 One of my favorite fish for sure.
@m...9160 2 жыл бұрын
Same! I love watching them dart in and out if the shells, and the parents herding them all together. What are you feeding yours? I've found that mine react best to Hikari first bites
@audrameyer9558 2 жыл бұрын
@m... they are so fun! I feed a variety of foods. First Bites are on the list. I use Infusoria, frozen cyclops, rotifers, baby brine....you name it. They are not picky at all 😊
@m...9160 2 жыл бұрын
@@audrameyer9558 I never knew some of those foods were options! The more you know... thank you for the knowledge
@audrameyer9558 2 жыл бұрын
@@m...9160 You are so very welcome!
@djneoda1535 2 жыл бұрын
GREAT VIDEO I want to keep these in a 20 long. 2 questions Aquaclear 30, Coarse sponge filter or dual sponge filter? What do you think about using black sand? I thought it would look very cool instead of the normal sand. But I haven't seen anyone using it. Peace ✌️
@bradleyviljoen7740 Жыл бұрын
Hi there, I have sodium in my tap water 230mg/L. Would this be an issue for them? I do have an RO system out would like to mix the 2 together and then buffer from there. But the idea is that I save on having to buffer all the water and waste less since the tank is quite large.
@jensmith8404 Жыл бұрын
hi again, what is that floating plan in the mufti tank, may i have the name so i can get sone for my tnk? *s
@XCaliKev 2 жыл бұрын
👍😎 Perfect timing. Going to move in couple months. Going to make my 125 a Shellies, Rock Dweller’s tank. Will definitely check out that article. How bout a video like this on rock dwellers? Thanks Zenzo 🖖
@AquaSox13 2 жыл бұрын
Bought a 55g with 9 Similis and 35 cyprichromis from someone who was moving. I moved them into my new 150g and added 6 Julies. Everyone has their space and have been breeding like crazy. Probably around 30 Similis, 120 cyprichromis, and 40 Julies at various stages of maturity. So much activity and unique behaviors
@dustinmendell5620 Жыл бұрын
Is caribsea aragonite ok to use or should I use caribsea African cichlid mix?
@weeb-keys Жыл бұрын
Woah! What was that white fish with the puffer.
@prestigeworldwide5538 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for providing great content, knowledge, experience and energy! Do you happen to have a recommendation for an algae eater in a shell dweller set up? Is it even a possibility?
@TazawaTanks Жыл бұрын
I like nerite snails in my shell dweller tank.
@prestigeworldwide5538 Жыл бұрын
@Tazawa Tanks Thank you much! Had not thought about that! Awesome!
@jensmith8404 10 ай бұрын
hi do Neolamprologus multifasciatus not like brighter light? your tanks aren't very bright..
@cristaf833 Жыл бұрын
Do you have any recommendations now that Sand City has closed?
@BobBombadil 2 жыл бұрын
My wife and I love your videos, and your tanks. Is it possible to come see your fish room for people in the SF area? Or is it more of a youtube only setup? Cheers!
@TazawaTanks 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! No, I don't really like people from the public coming over. Because this is my home and not a business, I discourage people from visiting or even meeting me here to purchase fish.
@juliac3933 2 жыл бұрын
What cool little fish. Do they breed enough “overpopulation” can be an issue?
@edwardjennings6021 Жыл бұрын
Hehe off to buy some sumbu comps from my lfs!
@PULAG Жыл бұрын
Can you drop some guppies endless mollies platys corys razzies skirties or cherrybarbers in with someShelley's? ofthe Shells?
@cbalmos 2 жыл бұрын
I had been debating shell dwellers for a while, well debating getting another tank for them really. Loved seeing this and it helped push me over the edge! Got 6 multies to start a colony in a 20L this week. Love watching them from my work desk. As expected, it was a good choice!
@Dj-xv2ei 9 ай бұрын
How many would you recommend for a 15 gallon
@jensmith8404 Жыл бұрын
hi i'm writing for some advice, i absolutely adore your 'multi' shell dweller tanks and the fish, and i want to do a multi tank.. here's the thing, 2 months ago i changed out the dark gravel to light gravel(small - only 10 lbs in the tank), can i just leave the gravel or should i cover with this, add on to of gravel . i think gravel would be okay since they live where there's large rocks and shells, not sand.. what do you think? does arragonite cloud the water if i put the whole bag under water to pour over the gravel.. i plan on getting this to started feeding them and any fry.. baby brine shimp what else would you suggest? thank asap
@TazawaTanks Жыл бұрын
Hi Jen. I answered the aragonite/gravel question on the other video comment. Regarding feeding, I feed mine crushed up Krill Flake and Xtreme Nano.
@glenncharnogursk6647 2 жыл бұрын
Interesting video. And food for thought, and I have a question. How complicated is it to vacuum the substrate with all the shells, and possibly knowing there might be fry in the shells. Thanks keep them coming.
@TazawaTanks 2 жыл бұрын
I don't vacuum my shell dweller tanks often. Because they are always digging and moving the substrate, I can just clean the filters (which catch most of the debris over time). If I do any vacuuming, it would only be in the spots with no shells.
@glenncharnogursk6647 2 жыл бұрын
@@TazawaTanks thanks
@tjautocross 2 жыл бұрын
Love my Multies! Thanks Zenzo!
@markhamilton2329 2 жыл бұрын
Hey Zenso. they German Shnell Dwellers?
@thewalters694 2 жыл бұрын
How did you know that I'm currently trying to set up a shell dweller tank😂
@omarsanchez2399 Жыл бұрын
Is it possible to get away with a set up in a 5 gallon aquarium?
@sanjayks9553 2 жыл бұрын
is any way to getting it in india
@lukeeluciano Жыл бұрын
The sandcity site does not work, any other sites that sells sand dwellers?
@EGlasofer 2 жыл бұрын
Great info Zenzo! For a 20g long, how many can be kept together? 40g breeder? 5-6? Can shell dweller species be mixed? Recommended tank mates?
@TazawaTanks 2 жыл бұрын
I would start with 5-6 in a 20 long. For a 40 breeder, maybe 6-8. I wouldn't mix them unless the tank were larger, and there were separation structures (like a pile of rocks) between the colonies. Tank mates - many hard water fish that are small/medium small. I would only do tank mates in larger tanks (29 and above). The article has some suggestion. Link is above.
@iamikejones 2 жыл бұрын
What is the tank behind your left arm in this video. Those fish have a lot of good action and I am curious. Guppies? And thank you.
@TazawaTanks 2 жыл бұрын
In the bow front? guppies.
@isaiahfurrow7414 2 жыл бұрын
We have a few multies.... but I think the breeder is only sending 1 sex to the one local fish store that we found them at... Any tips for getting some more to establish a colony... ? What is your thoughts on the black and white mix Cichlid sand...?
@TazawaTanks 2 жыл бұрын
I would suggest buying juveniles. If you buy a group of 5-6, you are most likely going have some females. If you can't get them locally, try an online seller. As far as mixed sand, I don't really have an opinion.
@jimjones5087 Жыл бұрын
hey your a nice person
@satjosh101 6 ай бұрын
How many multis?? For a 10 gallon? Will also be a species only tank. Also help on raising my ph, Gh, Kh, currently have aragonite in the filter and have caribsea cichlid substrate. My water seems to be constant around ph 7.8-8 Gh 140 Kh 8. I believe I’m good with the minimum but afraid when it’s time for a water change these numbers will swing to low?? Should I be adding anything else want to keep things as simple and less aggressive to keep things more stable. Thank you
@TazawaTanks 6 ай бұрын
I’d start with around 5. They will multiply. As far as your water parameters, I think that you are fine. You could always add a teaspoon of cichlid buffer or cichlid salt during water changes. I think this is a good idea even if it’s less frequent (adding a scoop every few water changes).
@amymandeville8342 2 жыл бұрын
Also, if anyone wants great information, the articles on the Aquarium Coop website are fantastic! Another great resource for me has also been Prime Time Aquatics.
@twunderaquatics1770 2 жыл бұрын
I've always wanted the African Cichlids but since my water is soft and has practically no minerals was a little put off. I also don't like tanks I more than 55 gallons. I may try them. Thanks 😊
@TazawaTanks 2 жыл бұрын
Easy to make hard water when the tank is smaller. You should give them a try!
@tyler8322 2 жыл бұрын
This is off topic but I’m starting a mbuna colony tank in my 55g. I’m likely going to do Johanni, would it be safe for me to have 2 males and 10 females? Or will the males fight to the death.
@TazawaTanks 2 жыл бұрын
It will probably be fine. Just have some rocks/caves/hides. Both of my mbuna tanks have females in them.
@sandradolbel2578 2 жыл бұрын
Hw do you clean the tank? Do you vacuum the substrate? I have sand in my pea puffer tank and it's a pain to keep clean...and filtration..sponge only or HOB?
@TazawaTanks 2 жыл бұрын
Mostly just water changes and cleaning the filter. Because they dig so much, substrate vacuuming is mostly unnecessary. Spot vacuums mostly (like one corner where debris settles).
@sandradolbel2578 2 жыл бұрын
@@TazawaTanks ok...good to know. It would be less work than my pea puffer tank ...I have been wanting shellies of a while. The only cichlid that I have the courage to possibly get...
@irradiatedbadger 2 ай бұрын
These are my first fish, I've had my tank going 5 months
@kendravoracek3636 2 жыл бұрын
💙💙
@taryndeclyn1474 2 жыл бұрын
Just found you channel. I have been in the saltwater side of the hobby for 18 years and have the opportunity to venture into the freshwater side with a huge tank. I have a 650 I am needing to stock. I am accustomed to providing husbandry to large systems as I have both a 300 and 750 saltwater system. My question is…if you had a 650 to stock what would be your choice?? I have so much potential with this size I want to make sure I make the most of it!
@TazawaTanks 2 жыл бұрын
What are the dimensions? 650 gallons is a lot. I have personal choices I would choose, but curious on the dimensions first.
@taryndeclyn1474 2 жыл бұрын
96x36x44 tall
@TazawaTanks 2 жыл бұрын
@@taryndeclyn1474 That’s a giant tank! I would probably do a Lake Tanganyikan tank with crushed coral as a substrate, with a big mound of rocks in the middle. Then, I would try and plant some vallisneria along the back. I would stock the tank with a few types of rock dwellers, a school of cyprichromis, and a colony of frontosa. Maybe some larger (dimorphic) shell dwellers too.
@taryndeclyn1474 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for much for the sincere feedback! Awesome idea! Frontosa were already on my short list!
@jensmith8404 Жыл бұрын
REPOST.. hi again, what is that floating plant in the mufti tank, may i have the name so i can get sone for my tank? * S
@TazawaTanks Жыл бұрын
Guppy grass if I recall
@jensmith8404 Жыл бұрын
thanks, would java moss work, if it floats?
@catherine3041 2 жыл бұрын
Can you put them with other fish ?
@TazawaTanks 2 жыл бұрын
Yes, they will do well with other fish that like the same water parameters and are compatible in size and behavior.
@cybernick8495 2 жыл бұрын
If you get shell dwellers get ready to have lots of babies 👍
@Joel_G_NZ 2 жыл бұрын
I'll nag you in the chat when I decide to get some of these :D
@MIKEC2000 7 ай бұрын
Sandcity still in business?
@TazawaTanks 7 ай бұрын
No. They went out of business and unfortunately did not fulfill peoples orders at the end. :(
@johnwood738 2 жыл бұрын
They are a neat fish fun to look at but my hart is with my plecos.
@RyanMurphy-vo9uf Жыл бұрын
97% chance of having a male OR a female? What gender is the other 3%?
@TazawaTanks Жыл бұрын
97% chance of having males “and” females when you have that quantity.
@kennethcabral4659 Жыл бұрын
I keep the Similis and have for years better name for them though would be mini bulldozers because they will rip your tank up hahaha love them
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