Shell-dweller compatability

Can shell-dwelling cichlids go along with other fish that aren't cichlids? I was wondering if I can add them with the inhabitants of my current tank if I get a bigger one. I have a 10 gallon now with three albino cory, one blue paradise, and one male fancy guppy. If I get a 20L or a 29 gallon can I add shellies to it as well?

 

I would not put shell dwellers in a 10 gallon. Especially with other bottom dwellers. You want a good open space for them so a 20L or 29 would work good. Just make sure there is good hiding spaces like shells or caves and that there is nothing big enough to eat them. I think they are not aggressive and that they should be ok with most other fish. Just make sure you don't have too many bottom dwellers like I said though or there might not be enough room for everyone especially if the other bottom dwellers need hiding places too.

 

+1 to what Daac said. Your 10 gallon already contains fish which need a larger tank. A 29 gallon or 20 gallon long would be a better tank for shellies. Also shellies, in my experience, don't do well with other fish. They do best in species tanks.

 

not trying to hijack the post but to add another question to this...I just recently aquired a 30 gal. tank from my aunt who is tired of taking care of it. All she has left in it are 3 glass catfish (which are mid-level fish). I am planning on removing the substrate that is in it and replacing it with some pool filter sand and was thinking of making it a shell dweller tank. First would the pool filter sand be okay? and second since the glass cats are mid level would I be alright adding some shell dwellers and plenty of shells and hiding places?

 

I would say no simply because the PH requirements of the two fish are vastly different. Shell Dweller Cichlids are from african lakes and require a ph of 8.0-8.3 to thrive. They can be adapted to lower, but the highest your glass catfish will like is 7.0. Adding shells will help to raise the ph of the tank if you do decide to go the route of the Cichlids, though. Sand is almost always okay with fish. You shouldn't have any issues there no matter which you choose to keep.