Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => Old World => Topic started by: Arturtle on June 12, 2013, 10:42:46 PM

Title: Shellie questions
Post by: Arturtle on June 12, 2013, 10:42:46 PM
So I bought my first old worlds, some multifasciatus, and had a few questions.  I have had sand in their tank before I bought them and previously stirred up the sand when doing water changes, but with how these guys are I'm not sure how often I should mess with their environment.  Will they tolerate their tank being rearranged once a month, or should I let them do the decorating?  I'm also new to sand in a tank, so this is kind of a double question.  I was also curious if these guys were mouth brooders, or if they lay eggs in their shells more like new worlds.  I haven't found much in that regard.

A few pictures for the hell of it, got a bunch of shells from the craft store for the time being

(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj135/arturtley/multies/temporary_zps48229553.jpg) (http://s271.photobucket.com/user/arturtley/media/multies/temporary_zps48229553.jpg.html)

(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj135/arturtley/multies/WP_20130602_002_zps41790a49.jpg) (http://s271.photobucket.com/user/arturtley/media/multies/WP_20130602_002_zps41790a49.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Shellie questions
Post by: linuxrulesusa on June 12, 2013, 10:43:58 PM
You can try arranging things but they will rearrange it how they like, so I wouldn't bother.  :)
Title: Re: Shellie questions
Post by: Regalblue on June 12, 2013, 11:25:57 PM
They are fine with sand, they'll rearrange their tank as they see fit (as Dan said) & they lay in the shells.
Title: Re: Shellie questions
Post by: Arturtle on June 13, 2013, 06:11:28 PM
Alright, thanks for the advice.  The two "males" I got seem to have picked territories on opposite sides of the tank, so I'm hoping to walk in a see some fry one of these days.  Do these guys have a breeding coloration to know if they're getting busy, or will fry just pop up one day?
Title: Re: Shellie questions
Post by: jcunningham0295 on June 13, 2013, 10:41:31 PM
You will not see any breeding colors, just watch the shells and one day you will see little ones swimming around.  It is pretty funny to see them move sand and bury shells to their liking.