Shell-Dwellers availability

[Spitfire]

Hey everyone.

I'm currently in college but when I go back home I want to see if I can get my hands on shell-dwelling cichlids on the genus Neolamprologus. One thing I do know is that they are non-existant in pet stores in Myrtle Beach. I'm not to sure about back home in NY either...

If I do want to keep them, where would be the best place to get them from. Can I order them special from any pet shop or do I have to go to a specialty African store?

Another thing, the guy at the store down here says that cichlids sent to pet stores as "mixed Africans" are all mass produced on fish farms and generally are all one sex or infertile. He says that my unidentified fish may be a "mutt" of two species. Is this possible and are all Africans in the US these tank bred specimens. How do I know that they are wild-caught? Are these store bought specimens as good colorwise as pure bred stock?


Ray

[jonah]

Every LFS is different. Some will order for you, some won't. The only way to know for sure is to call around. Shellies aren't that common in most lfs, although I did buy some of mine in one.

Except for "wild caught" 90+% of the fish found in stores is mass produced. Most (all?) cichlids appear female when young so I don't think there's an easy way to tell if they're all one sex or the other. I've never heard of the infertile part either. I wouldn't recommend buying from the "assorted African" tank though because of the questionable parentage of the fish. You may very well end up buying hybrids.

I don't think there's a noticible difference to the average fishkeeper between tank bred and wild caught.

[jonah]

Hey everyone.

I'm currently in college but when I go back home I want to see if I can get my hands on shell-dwelling cichlids on the genus Neolamprologus.

Ray

Just remember that all Neolamprologus aren't shell dwellers when you go shopping for the fish. I've got Neo. multifasciatus and they're worth finding. All the good cichlid behaviors in just a 10g tank. :D

[Spitfire]

Yeah, I've noticed that some Neolampros are not shell dwellers... The bahavior of these fish is interesting and the fact that they breed in empty shells makes them more so. Plus you can keep more of them in a smaller tank.

I guess if I buy from a mixed tank, I'm taking a risk as to what quality fish I'm getting. Oh well, as long as they don't die on me.... :D

Ray

[Scotty]

Hey Bud! Where in New York are you? If you're in the Long Island area, I can point out a few stores that almost always have nice Shelldwellers in stock. They get a little pricey, but what you'll save in shipping costs will make up the difference........Scott

[Spitfire]

I'm in SE NY near Poughkeepsie, Carmel, Stormville area. Its about an hour north of Yonkers, NY. Thats where my house is but I am currently down in SC in college...


Ray