Which Shelly would most interest you?

[Renegade Aquatics]

Since it my fish rack is finally coming back together, I am finally going to start my breeding which I have finally decided breed shellies. Now I was originally going to breed Queen Arabesque plecos (Hypancistrus sp. L260), but recently a friend of suggested shell dwellers and ever since then I was hooked on them. Mostly due to the interesting personality. After looking up some of the different species I made a list of ones I want to breed, but I can't figure out which exact species I want to go with. I figured since I'll be selling them locally for the most part, I would ask you guys which of these species interest you most or perhaps even consider purchasing.
Here are the species in question:
Lamprologus ocellatus
Lamprologus speciosus
Lamprologus stappersi
Neolamprologus brevis
Neolamprologus similis

Thanks in advance.

 

[sir_keith]

Not sure there's ever going to be a big market for niche fishes like shellies, as they are more of a specialist item. That said, I've had all of these species at one time or another, and my favourite is still Lamprologus ocellatus. Currently I have two pair of these in a 100 (with other fishes as well, obviously), and they are as entertaining as all get out. I also really like Neolamprologus brevis because of their extreme sexual dimorphism, and they are prolific spawners as well. Good luck.

​

 

[VickiK]

I've never had shellies - but I've coveted them after watching Bob's over at Steenfott. I found this article which only makes me want them more. Lamprologus ocellatus is the "Tiny Titan of Lake Tanganyika". What's not to love about THAT?

http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/...anyika-lamprologus-ocellatus-full-article.htm

 

[Renegade Aquatics]

Not sure there's ever going to be a big market for niche fishes like shellies, as they are more of a specialist item. That said, I've had all of these species at one time or another, and my favourite is still Lamprologus ocellatus. Currently I have two pair of these in a 100 (with other fishes as well, obviously), and they are as entertaining as all get out. I also really like Neolamprologus brevis because of their extreme sexual dimorphism, and they are prolific spawners as well. Good luck.

View attachment 4100​

Yeah, I was a bit worried about their rather niched market, but I figured I'd still give it go anyways since they're entertaining. Thank you.

I've never had shellies - but I've coveted them after watching Bob's over at Steenfott. I found this article which only makes me want them more. Lamprologus ocellatus is the "Tiny Titan of Lake Tanganyika". What's not to love about THAT?

http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/...anyika-lamprologus-ocellatus-full-article.htm

They are very spunky little fish indeed, I've heard stories of them going after hands that come near the shells. I don't think they're big enough to do any damage, but it did leave those who did not expect it quite surprised.

 

[VickiK]

Yeah, I was a bit worried about their rather niched market, but I figured I'd still give it go anyways since they're entertaining. Thank you.


They are very spunky little fish indeed, I've heard stories of them going after hands that come near the shells. I don't think they're big enough to do any damage, but it did leave those who did not expect it quite surprised.

I love the idea of having some Shellies! Keep us posted!

 

[sir_keith]

They are very spunky little fish indeed, I've heard stories of them going after hands that come near the shells. I don't think they're big enough to do any damage, but it did leave those who did not expect it quite surprised.

Absolutely! If you're going to put your hands in a tank with well-established L. ocellatus territories, prepare to be bitten! And not just little 'Are-you-a-vegetable?' bites like you might get in a Tropheus tank, more like 'Get-the-hell-out-of-my-territory-Dude' bites. For a fish that's one inch long, the attitude is just amazing. Hard not to like.

 

[Renegade Aquatics]

For a fish that's one inch long, the attitude is just amazing. Hard not to like.

Exactly, the more I looked into them , the more I started to like them.
Oh and quick question I found a variant of L. ocellatus labeled Lamprologus cf. ocellatus "Blue Stripe"
is it any different then the regular blue species? I'm assuming its from a different part of the lake
Here is the fish in question
http://www.davesfish.com/images/Lamprologus cf ocellatus Blue Stripe.jpg

I love the idea of having some Shellies! Keep us posted!

Thank you, will do.

 

[Mike16T]

Not sure there's ever going to be a big market for niche fishes like shellies, as they are more of a specialist item. That said, I've had all of these species at one time or another, and my favourite is still Lamprologus ocellatus. Currently I have two pair of these in a 100 (with other fishes as well, obviously), and they are as entertaining as all get out. I also really like Neolamprologus brevis because of their extreme sexual dimorphism, and they are prolific spawners as well. Good luck.

View attachment 4100
​

L. Occelatus gold to be exact.. There are several variants of Occelatus..

 

[Mike16T]

Absolutely! If you're going to put your hands in a tank with well-established L. ocellatus territories, prepare to be bitten! And not just little 'Are-you-a-vegetable?' bites like you might get in a Tropheus tank, more like 'Get-the-hell-out-of-my-territory-Dude' bites. For a fish that's one inch long, the attitude is just amazing. Hard not to like.

Haahhhaha.. I used to hand feed my tropheus red rainbow. They bite but doesn't really do any damage..

 

[VickiK]

Haahhhaha.. I used to hand feed my tropheus red rainbow. They bite but doesn't really do any damage..

Did you say RED rainbow??? *droools*

 

[Renegade Aquatics]

So I noticed no one really has mentioned the L. speciosus and L. stappersi which is a little strange, because IMO they are probably the attractive shellies out there. I suppose it could be that they are somewhat uncommon.

 

[sir_keith]

So I noticed no one really has mentioned the L. speciosus and L. stappersi which is a little strange, because IMO they are probably the attractive shellies out there. I suppose it could be that they are somewhat uncommon.

Yes, you don't see those species around as often as some of the others, but beyond that, I think it's just a matter of personal taste. L. Ocellatus Gold, one of my favourites, is commonly available because it is so pretty.

Don't forget the shells. I've seen people use PVC joints and other things as surrogate shells, but as explained in this link (https://www.fish-etc.com/fish/cichlids/the-shell-dwelling-cichlids), the shells are actually an important part of individual species' reproductive biology. The shells that have worked best for me over the years are French escargot shells; you can buy the empty shells online. These shells are just the right size, and they are light enough for the shellies to display their species-typical burying and orienting behaviors. Very cool.

 

[VickiK]

<=== wants this experience

 

[Betty]

I loved my N. brevis and L. stappersii. But I do agree that there won't be a big market for them in this area. I think I remember 2 or 3 years ago, multies were popular on this forum for a little while.

A pic of one of my brevis and a stappersii. I think shellies are beautiful little fish.

Photobucket is now charging money to link to forums and my pics are gone!

 

[Renegade Aquatics]

Don't forget the shells. I've seen people use PVC joints and other things as surrogate shells, but as explained in this link (https://www.fish-etc.com/fish/cichlids/the-shell-dwelling-cichlids), the shells are actually an important part of individual species' reproductive biology. The shells that have worked best for me over the years are French escargot shells; you can buy the empty shells online. These shells are just the right size, and they are light enough for the shellies to display their species-typical burying and orienting behaviors. Very cool.

Yeah I had planed for the shells, I'm probably gonna look at Hobby Lobby or something and if they don't carry them I'll just get off amazon instead. I think I saw like a pack of 36 shells for like $16.

I loved my N. brevis and L. stappersii. But I do agree that there won't be a big market for them in this area. I think I remember 2 or 3 years ago, multies were popular on this forum for a little while.

A pic of one of my brevis and a stappersii. I think shellies are beautiful little fish.

Yeah I'm not trying to sell in mass quantities, I'm mostly just trying to support my own I think I may try out a few species and see how I like fish vs how it sells. Then try and balance it out, if worst comes to worst I'll end up doing multies instead, perhaps another Tanganyikan cichlid or a catfish of sorts. I guess we'll just wait and see I suppose.
Also that L. stappersi is stunning

 

[VickiK]

I loved my N. brevis and L. stappersii. But I do agree that there won't be a big market for them in this area. I think I remember 2 or 3 years ago, multies were popular on this forum for a little while.

A pic of one of my brevis and a stappersii. I think shellies are beautiful little fish.

I wish I could push the like button a thousand times.

 

[Betty]

I really like the looks of the stappersii and ocellatus. And so much personality in their tiny little bodies. Digging and rearranging shells... Don't require a huge tank... I don't know why they aren't more popular.

 

[VickiK]

I really like the looks of the stappersii and ocellatus. And so much personality in their tiny little bodies. Digging and rearranging shells... Don't require a huge tank... I don't know why they aren't more popular.

I know, right? If I didn't have a gazillion endlers in my 20Long, I'd get me some shellies!

 

[lloyd378]

I've always liked them, but have never owned any.

We used to have a member named fishpimp who bred brevis and wanted to sell them.... I could never pull myself to do it.....( my big cichlid personality) but now that I've had a 9g nano for a year plus with some shrimp, I'd love to try some .

I don't know enough about them to tell you what I'd like. But whichever have the most color while also showing some bout and about personality would get my vote

 

[VickiK]

I've always liked them, but have never owned any.

We used to have a member named fishpimp who bred brevis and wanted to sell them.... I could never pull myself to do it.....( my big cichlid personality) but now that I've had a 9g nano for a year plus with some shrimp, I'd love to try some .

I don't know enough about them to tell you what I'd like. But whichever have the most color while also showing some bout and about personality would get my vote

There's so many! It's so hard to choose!