Lava Rock...

[MarkOne]

Looking at setting up a Tang setup, and have bought 2 pieces of the above rock that I was told is ok.

Will this be fine, and specifically for Neolamprologus leleupi?

Thanks!

[Glaive]

Just wash it well and if you can maybe give it a boil for 15-20 minutes.

I have had lava rock in my tanks for years now and keep some in smaller form in my cannister in case someone needs starter media.

I think it would be fine for leleupi.

[MarkOne]

Thanks for that!

On a side note, will leleupi work with shelldwellers in a 30g tank?!

[mpowers8]

What kind of shell dwellers and in what numbers? Leleupis don't get huge but in a 30 gallon the do get large enough that territories should be thought about because they each need space. Leleupis are not social fish like Brichardi when they start breeding, the males are solitary in the wild and quite "frisky" with those he sees as being in his space. I have 3 in a 75 gallon and the male of the set still takes it upon himself to chase the females out of his territory at all times. Never any serious damage, just a lot of chasing.

As for shell dwellers, the only other thing in that tank are 12 Cyps and "Many" Brevis. The Leleupis ignore everyone else for the most part, aside from occasional flares to show they are tough guys. I'm sure they eat any fry the Brevis produce, but that's find, it's what they're there for. Even the Brevis eat their own children once they leave the shell.

[MarkOne]

am looking to get some meleagris....and another fish type. Would brichardi's be a better choice to go with them rather than leleupi then because of their breeding aggression??

[Glaive]

Brichardi as a single fish maybe fine, as a mated pair might not be good, do a search for "brichardi death squad" on here for more info.

Brichardi would be fine alone.

You may want to look into julies I think they would do fine with clearly defined territories. Ie lava rocks with holes as psuedo caves on one side and a field of shells on teh other.

This is only an idea, I haven't had a chance to test it yet. Aharris may have some good info for you she has quite a knowledge base in her head on dwarf tangs. I would wait on her responding.

[MarkOne]

Thanks for the help!
So in a 30g tank I could house;
3-4 meleagris
1 brichardi
3 juli of somekind?

This would be great if so!

[Glaive]

Not quite there cowboy.

fyi
Lamprologus meleagris is actually Lamprologus staperssi
re. konnings

Though in trade they take the first name.

Julies form a pair bond so only two, though it often takes a starter group of 6 to get a pair, be wrned once they pair up they will try to kill the non pairs. Also you will probably want one of teh other julie species if you go that route, ornatus and dickfeldi are two I know of.

I honestly don't know that I would really suggest brichardi, I just didn't want you putting a mated brichardi in your tank with other fish.

Hold off on your descisions until greater wisdom comes forth.

[aharris]

I would stick to just the shellies with either the brichardi by itself _or_ the julies. And I would do as has been suggested and stick with a smaller species of julie like dickfeldi or ornatus. The other caution I would add about the idea of a pair of julies is that if you are worried about fry control on the shellies you should be more worried about fry control on the julies. Breeding julies form colonies of multiple generations of fry with the parents. They are much less aggressive about it than Brichardi, but they will easily fill a 30g by themselve in no time at all.

[MarkOne]

Thanks for your response.

Fry control is a main factor because I'm aware a 30g tank could become over run quickly.
I'm definately looking at meleagris as I have one already, it's then what to go with it. I believe my choices are;

Would a Brichardi (juvi) work with say 3-4 melegris
3-4 meleagris and 2 (juvi) leleupi
3-4 meleagris, a couple of juli and a calvus
Thanks!

[Glaive]

You're straining to cram more fish than you should.

Suggestions have been given, now the descision to follow them or not is your's.

We make suggestions based on your long term enjoyment and your fishes health.

[MarkOne]

I do appreciate your help, and overstocking is certainly my main concern, but also wanted a little colour in the tank

OK, so 1 brichardi and 3-4 stapersii would work ok? If so, I shall settle there! Any benefit between a male or female brichardi?

[Glaive]

Try a male they will be a tad bigger I believe and a little more colorful

[MarkOne]

Thanks that is settled! I shall try a male Brachardi and a few stapersii!

Many thanks for putting up with the Q's!