Multis and Brichardis in 70L?

Hey guys, i am planning on getting a new tank but I only have the space for max a 70L tank (about 18.5-19 gallons). The dimensions of the tank are 24 x 12 x 16 inches. Anyway, I really want to try African cichlids. I know that my choices are rather limited as most African cichlids require a larger tank then mine. I knew that shell dwellers would work nice in a tank my size. Here in Australia shell dwellers are generally very expensive, anywhere from $30-$50 generally. However I know that I don't have many other options so i decided on getting a few multis which I am very excited for. As I was doing some research I saw a species that really caught my eye - N Brichardi. This is such a mesmerizing fish and I am still in awe about how beautiful it is . It there any way that I may be able to house a small colony (around 4-6 to begin with) of N multifaciatus and a pair of N Brichardi in my tank? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!!

 

Gid day Adil1307

I ran a successful tank of neolamprologus multies ( Shellie’s ) for a couple of years in a 60 cm /2 foot tank . A tall tank with a total of 83 litres/22 gallons. A very similar footprint to the one you mention but with a little more height.

The short answer is no. There is not enough room for a second species and i don’t know if that’s the right species ether. I don’t think that is a good combination in any sized tank . I could be wrong? The second species often tried is another shellie but even that requires at least a 4 foot /120 cm tank .


The good news.
Have a cycled tank with a stable water change routine and feed the shellies , they will breed . It’s fascinating to watch the tiny tiny fry appear from inside mums shell.
I started with 6 and sold or gave away a few hundred. When covid closed club auctions I had 83 adults plus juveniles in the 22 gallon.

Learn to culture micro worms and hatch brine shrimp if you want. It’s possible to raise the young on just a good quality dry food.

A species I promise myself to have again some day .

 

Not in that tank. I know a keeper that has done that mix before, but he did it in a 75 gallon, 48"x18"x21". He moved from 55 gallon tanks in his fish room set up to the 75s to get the extra turn around room and set up better territories (for the brichardi). I would follow his direction and wouldn't mix many Tanganyika species in smaller tanks after seeing the successful layouts.

One fish I do know works with multis, or ocellatus in a "small" tank is the inkfin calvus. I have personally kept a solo inkfin with both species at various times in a 44 gallon corner tank. 22"x22"x24". In this tank there is a large rock leaned against one wall that he claims as territory at bed time, and a very tall (15-18") anubias he hangs out in, up high, during feeding time. He is an egg thief so I wouldn't introduce him until you have a colony since you can't start with many at that price. Wish you were here, would give you a dozen multi for gas money lol. I found the ocellatus too rowdy amongst themselves to find a permanent home in my fish room, so I've gone to multi as my only shellies.

Edit: clarification on territories. Brichardi will make pits under and around rocks of their choosing on the bottom(to show their prospective mate that they can clean and protect an area), they will try kill or run off anything within 6-10". Multi, mostly stick to the bed of shells or rocks with crevices we provide them. In a large tank, you can give multi 12"x24" of floor space and they will be happy enough. If you condense that down to 12"x12" there will be allot of cast outs. Additionally, since the tank would be basically cut in half left/right, a 6" pit, with a 6" protection zone will cause unnecessary aggression and damage to both species in the tank.

 

Thank Flyfisha and Jhon58ford I appreciate the input. Is their any chance I could just do a brichardi tank? i have heard that pairs can be kept in as little 15 gallons with regular maintenance. They are such beautiful fish and I have some places around me that sell them at 3 cm for $10-$15 so I thought maybe i can pick up 4-6 then once a pair forms I can return the rest or give them to friends? I do understand that i have very minimal space so i understand if it's too big of a risk.

 

18 gallons = 70 litres for what seems to be from five minutes research a mildly aggressive species. I don’t have hands on experience. I can’t really say what you should do with your tank .
I don’t keep any fish as big as that any more . Well I have one old retirement electric blue acara that’s pushing 150 mm .
I have no hands on experience with that species, but it does seem like a big risk especially as you don’t have extra tanks as backup.