40 Breeder Lake Tanganyika

I *think* I want to convert my 40 gallon betta sorority to a Lake Tang cichlid tank. Let’s be honest, a betta sorority can be fun at times, but then boring at other times. Plus I stocked the dither fish as Celebes Rainbowfish, which are not doing well at all, and Congo Tetra. So I kind of am bored of Rainbowfish too. The only Fish Id want to keep in here is the Congo tetra is at all possible!

Lake Tanganyika cichlids have always intrigued me, so I thought this was the best starting place into exploring new tank stocking.

I want to know what would be a good stocking and what type of substrate and rocks everyone uses. My pH is 7.6 so I need to raise it obviously.

 

The big guy seems to think he’s the boss. Even the other one isn’t in a shell, but instead in the rock work. Maybe I should’ve just gotten those local juvies. Ugh.


I got some new shells. Not the escargot ones that most people use, but I think these will work.

 

Well that hate the new shells.
But if you can see them in this photo here you can see that they let the 3rd fish join the shell territory, and you can see where they spend their whole days. They barely move from where they are in the tank all day lol.

 

No offense, the new shells are all but good looking. But that's a question of taste, the fish won't mind.

The movement pattern is normal. Shellies are not very inquisitive.

 

No offense, the new shells are all but good looking. But that's a question of taste, the fish won't mind.

The movement pattern is normal. Shellies are not very inquisitive.

Haha no worries. I like them, but I think I will switch them out as the fish aren't using them.
I did a big clean on the tank today because I didn't realize how awful the glass looked until I saw this photo. Maybe that will make them want to come out and interact hahaha.