10gal shell dwellers

[1979camaro]

We don't see too many non-planted, cichlid tanks in here so I figure I would throw mine into the mix...sometime I'll get a better camera and shoot some nice ones of the 29gal planted also...

First, the specs:

Aquarium: 10gal
Filtration: Penguin BIO-Wheel Mini
Heater: Marineland 50watt Visitherm Submersable Heater
Substrate: Crushed Coral Grain 1 (1.5 to 2in deep)
Temperature: 78f
pH: 8.3
Habitat: Hoemmade rock caves; 6 Neothauma shells
Stock: Three Neolamprologus similis (1 male, 2 female) (F0)

And now, the pics:

this is the basic overview of the habitat...want to replace the blue bg with black, but we shall see if i get to it

these are all of the females...the male seems to be more timid at first...though he is quite a bit larger...the fish are really only about 1in (females) to 1.5in (males)long

hope it is appreciated by you all, but if not, oh well...I like it

Kevin

 

[redjln]

That is very cool!

 

[jaws2]

i think that it is tottaly unique i have never seen a setup like this good job

 

[Franky099]

bravo bravo! I wanted to set up a shell dweller tank, but none of the LFS's carry any shell dwelling fish!

Amy

 

[Angelfish]

It looks really nice =) do those fish hide in the shells?

 

[1979camaro]

Amy: you can order online...I reccomend www.neptuneaquatics.com...Darrell, the owner, is very helpful and knowledgeable...he doesn't have a miniumum order so it isn't like you have to buy a lot either which was good for me

Angelfish: they do hide in the shells...pretty much their life revolves around the shells...the male establishes his territory to include a group of shells in which his harem of females live...they all have their own shell. When startled they either hide in the shells or the rock caves...mine seem to prefer the caves doe now...but they sleep in the shells, and if they breed they will store the eggs in the shells...they are really quite interesting to watch...

I have heard rumors that it is possible to keep a pair of dwarf synodontis in with these guys, even a tank as small as mine, but I don't think I will be doing that

Kevin

 

[Weatherman]

I love the black rocks, what are they?

 

[1979camaro]

hi weatherman...

I dont really know...I collected them at my grandfathers farm in central California (Bakersfield area (Porterville to be exact)...they are more grey-blue than black...the camera darkened the picture up quite a bit...sorry I can't be more helpful

Kevin

 

[Orion]

Very nice. Simple, yet sophisticated.

 

[fishysmell]

How hard is your water?

 

[1979camaro]

honestly couldnt tell you...sorry

 

[fishysmell]

Not a problem. The tank looks really nice. I've been considering getting some shell dwellers and now I think I have to. I just have to find an open tank. Very well done.

Oh, by the way, a very nice choice of a screen name as well. =)

 

[JKO]

Your tank is very amazeing

 

[1979camaro]

thanks guys...the screen name is my car, and i like it very much

some pics are here:

www.geocities.com/k_dawg_sd

Kevin

 

[shimpboat]

Looks Great! I am sooo jealous, I can never get good pics of my fish. What kind of camera do you use?
Michelle

 

[1979camaro]

its an old hewlett packard model...i usually take about 30 pics to get 5 or 6 that came out...it is much easier to get the fish than the entire setup at once...there is a topic here: http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5518&highlight=photography which might be of some help

 

[Badplankton]

i used to have a '81 camaro and looking at yours makes me want anotherone

 

[1979camaro]

yep...i enjoy her...first car i ever bought and i intend to hang onto for a long while...ive already told the gf she should get used to her being around