Multis - Shell Dwellers

Hey everyone, I need some advice. I have a 10 gallon tank that I am planning on putting a pair of multis (shell dwellers) cichlids in. I found someone on Craigslist to sell them but he only sells them in 4s. I haven't read anything about them needing to live in groups of 4, just pairs. Is this normal, do I need 4? Or is he just trying to make more money?

Neolamprologus Multifasciatus

 

Well, if they are young fish its hard to sex them accurately so getting 4 at first is probably a good choice. If 2 pair up, then you can rehome the other two. It's possible to keep 2 pairs in a ten, but they could very well fight it out. As for them living in groups, in the wild they live in huge beds of snail shells, with hundreds of their own species being next door neighbors

I say get the 4, see if 2 pair off, and then rehome the other 2 if fighting becomes a problem

 

Thank you! I'm now thinking I'm going to hold off on getting these guys since the guy is now being very difficult about a time to meet up since I didn't want to get them immediately (I wanted to do more research before I jumped in)
kind of a bummer but I would rather wait and be prepared.

I really appreciate the response and advice though!!

 

No problem! I've been holding off on getting some shellies myself because if I do get some I would most definitely start breeding them and selling the fry, but I'm drowning in my own line of African cichlid fry already I have 4 tanks dedicated to them and I don't think the others in the house would appreciate another tank being set up

 

No problem! I've been holding off on getting some shellies myself because if I do get some I would most definitely start breeding them and selling the fry, but I'm drowning in my own line of African cichlid fry already I have 4 tanks dedicated to them and I don't think the others in the house would appreciate another tank being set up

Hahaha! Right, that's another reason I'm not really pushing the point because I'm sure they will start breeding which would be really cool but then I would need more tanks until the fry is sold and I'm just not too sure how happy my husband will be since he's already hesitant for me to get another tank I'll stick with the original plan of doing a Walstad tank ... for now