How big do shell dweller cichlids get?

How big do shell dweller cichlids get?

Social behavior: Loosely social until sexual maturity. Breeding pairs are often aggressive to all other fish. Origin: Tank-Bred, but indigenous to Lake Tanganyika, Africa. Average adult size: 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) for males, 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) for females.

Are shell dwelling cichlids aggressive?

African shell dwellers aka “shellies” are actually other terms for a cichlid fish. Shell-dwelling cichlids, which originate from Lake Tanganyika, get the prize for the bravest fish. Their personalities are quite disproportionate to their tiny size. They are aggressive, bold, are little tyrants, but absolutely adorable.

What size tank do shell dwellers need?

Aquarium Size : Preferably 5-10 gallons, the longer the better. Tank Mates : Depending on the size of the tank, you may be able to have other fish that live in the upper regions, though do this with caution, as other fish can eat your fry. Don’t mix shell-dweller species.

What do shell dwellers eat?

zooplankton
Diet. Shell dwellers are carnivores that primarily feed on zooplankton and other microscopic and near-microscopic foods. Cichlids’ distinctive pharyngeal teeth, in the throat of the fish, are present in shell dwellers, though small.

What is a shell dweller cichlid?

Shell Dweller Cichlid – Neolamprologus multifasciatus, or for short, Multies are a special type of cichlid for many reasons. The first reason is they are shell-dwellers, or Shellies, which means that they live and breed in shells. In the wild, Shell Dweller Cichlids live on the bottom of Lake Tanganyika in Africa.

Where do cichlids live in the wild?

In the wild, Shell Dweller Cichlids live on the bottom of Lake Tanganyika in Africa. They colonize the thousands of Neothauma snail shells and form territories of their own shells and live, sleep, and breed inside these shells.

Should I give my cichlids shells?

The answer to that question isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. For one, most cichlids in the hobby are captive bred, and thus shells must be introduced to their aquarium. Secondly, providing a variety of shells doesn’t guarantee that your shell dwellers will select those that are endemic to the lake.

Are there any dwarf cichlids?

Cichlids are an unusually diverse group of aquarium fish, among which there are both real giants and dwarfs. We bring to your attention the top 5 dwarf cichlids that will decorate any aquarium.