African Shell Dwelling Cichlids

The fish I get asked about the most, are my African shell dwelling cichlids. The ones that I have are neolamprologus multfaciatus, but they are more commonly called multis or Shellies due to the fact that they use empty snail shells for brooding their baby fish and hiding from danger. These are my favorite nano fish.
Link to buy shells: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Link to where I buy my aquarium lights, plants, fertilizers and other fish-related supplies: www.aquariumcoop.com
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Disclaimer: This video and description may contain affiliate links. If you click on the affiliate links, I will receive a small commission, which helps support this channel and allows me to continue making content for you to enjoy. Thanks for supporting Tazawa Tanks!

[@TazawaTanks]

Link to buy the shells I use: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Y18ANU?ie=UTF8&tag=tazawatanks0f-20&camp=1789&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B004Y18ANU If you like this style of video, you make like these: Mudskipper and Puffer Tank: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIqwo5mtqNdkg7s African Malawi Cichlids: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5rLm6OLaL6Ujbc

[@dirtbikeman496]

To say they can be difficult to find in some areas is sorta an understatement, there’s some states you cant ever consistently find them. Everyone I ask about them knows about them, wants them and can never say where they can be found. Finally just decided to bite the bullet and get some shipped but they are elusive to say the least

[@gracebee292]

You read my mind, I was just thinking about these this morning. Thanks for allowing us tiny-apartment dwellers live vicariously through you!

[@Glock23Fire]

Between this tank and the new F8 Puffer/Mudskipper tank you now have 2 of my favorite tanks on KZbin. Keep the updated coming on these. I would love to get some Multis in Michigan but they are very hard to find. Same with brichardi for that matter.

[@sophiadeloach6515]

They are so cool. I wanna to start a new tank, there are so many choices. What is a person to do? LOL!

[@catfishcave379]

I have gold ocellatus... but I want multis too... and brevis.... and... Such a beautiful tank!

[@airnet860]

Since they require hard water, it’s ok to keep with guppies or platies.

[@rogerstark8279]

This was very informative. Most species profiles are not. Well done.

[@jjcabin]

Good to see you keeping Brichardi. They look like Green Face Brichardi? I also keep them, I have a two pair of them and one of my males is huge! I was also thinking about keeping Shellies with them too! I can source them from my LFS same with Mudskippers, but I’m on the east coast and my LFS rocks. Awesome video my friend!

[@vampgaia]

I would buy them for sure. I am having a hard time finding the multies locally.

[@tonychilelli2318]

I've had a Multi 20 long tank for about a year and today I am seeing about 10 fry. I'm surprised because the tank has a black algae o\problem and I was considering tearing it down and starting over. There are a number of eggs still in shells so it will be fun them. I have really enjoyed your videos and you were inspirational for me in trying out the Shellies. Thanks

[@FishTankBarn]

Cool tank Zenzo! Great information as always.

[@KGcichlids]

I’m loving that Shellie tank!

[@mrfewtheaquariumdude12]

Finally a video on this tank is so awesome

[@kevinchan1408]

Love this style of video with the voice over the footage of the aquarium!

[@candioverhuls1003]

Love this tank! Thank you! I would buy these from you!

[@RyoWatanabee]

Awesome shellies!! I definitely want a tank like that in the future. And I love that anubias growing in the middle :)

[@monsterfishgal]

Love the shellies just set up a tank of multis. Love love love.

[@quashyt1682]

Thanks you inspired me to get multies and now I have some of my own!

[@aquadan9541]

Great video! Congrats on 21k!!

[@carolebraswell982]

What a gorgeous tank!

[@dirtytanking7575]

These guys are dope. You must dig these guys and i think it shows. Thanks for the info and the hard work you put into your content.

[@koryjackson7183]

I have got to setup a tank for some of these guys. Great video as always.

[@angelbirdchaney9020]

Gorgeous tank

[@italianstalion0102]

Great vid. That diy background looks awesome

[@smouha85]

I just got some a few weeks ago. Great little fish. Definitely love to dig and move the substrate

[@sarajseiberthesavannahdarter]

It's been a year since you did this video and I'm just getting a tank set up for these. They are so hard to find, even those that normally ship them are out of stock. Hope I will be able to find some over the next two months. Love these fish and that custom background is awesome!

[@AndrewHelge]

Would love to buy some! Great looking setup!

[@sharronmiller451]

Love them so much!!!

[@caewalker9276]

I have the Occalatus Gold. The color change in them is amazing and beautiful. They also have a blue sheen behind the gills. I just love mine.

[@shrisheel]

Another great video. Well made and professional. This set up rivals Prime Time Aquatics' shellie tank. He's another one of my favorite fish keeper on youtube.

[@MrACEPUNK]

Yes I love to get my hands on some of those so when you decide to deliver to Florida that be great

[@MadCheshireHat]

Ah, I wish I could get these. I only have experience with convict cichlids, but that was enough to get me interested in cichlids in general. I think it's cool these guys like shells.

[@LittleLargeMouth]

Great species profile Zenzo!

[@barneystinson2781]

These guys are one of my dream fish

[@Dark30Outdoors]

Great video!! That’s a great Tanganyika set up. Neolamprologus Brichardi (that last letter pronounced I) are also referred to as Fairy Cichlids or The Princess of Burundi! One of my favorites!!

[@gabejmon2769]

My local fish store has them. I got three. About a year ago and they have thrived. They spawned in a 10 gallon and I upgraded them to a 29

[@genericyoutubeusername6499]

Those other fish in the tank look awesome other than angelfish those are my favorite freshwater fish

[@connykersey698]

Simply beautiful! I’d be very interested in buying both species. I have two Multics and would like to add a few rock dwellers..

[@corey6269]

Always good content m8 . Nice video

[@jackenglish9826]

I love shellys! Keep it up!

[@caponetone5685]

Beautiful setup! I really enjoyed this clip. I like how the Brichardi go in and out of the background rock hideouts! You can count me in, whenever you decide to start shipping. Keep up the good work from NOLA⚜️🎭👍

[@1deaver]

Beautiful tank , thumbs up for u.

[@danielscerri8914]

Trying everything to get some of these, for a tank I have that's designated for them. Really hard fish to get hold of In Australia. Have a good day Zenzo

[@marymorris9421]

I love your tanks. I plan to get a 40 gallon breeder for shell dwellers. I am thinking I will get the similus.

[@archangelelmo]

Yes I would love to have some of those fish in Florida

[@popparock6506]

MAN WHAT A BEAUTIFUL TANK! I actually wanted to set up a shelly tank back 13-14 yrs ago! I went as far as collecting everything i would need and could not find them back then! Then i had kids and priority's changed but now my kids are older and actually into the hobby as of this year.. I WOULD LOVE to finally set up a shelly tank! I live in Ohio Pls let me know if you do consider shipping!

[@PalmerAquatics]

Killer thumbnail buddy! Not even sure how you got it so VIBRANT! Wow

[@frankstanks4399]

Great video 👍🏻😎awesome info! I wanna setup a 40 gallon as shell dwellers tank! I’m hoping to find some good quality ones close to me. If not I might have to order some. Great channel can’t wait to see the next one !

[@shesellsfish]

Love the shellies

[@tomstalcup6571]

I would definitely purchase from you seeing the care that you take with your fish. Getting fish shipped is inevitable especially Multies for me. I have a small group now in a 50 gallon lowboy which is shared with a small group of Brevis, they each staked claim on either side of the tank.

[@TazawaTanks]

That sounds like an awesome tank!

[@Aquarimax]

Awesome multie aquarium! I would love to make a background inspired by yours someday. I have a 29 gallon for my multies, I currently have about 9 young fry from 3 different pairs/harems.

[@sauravsunny9348]

Lovely fish ty to show us

[@williammoserwilliammoser5218]

omg u have no idea how long and hard i been trying to get my hands on theses shellies ,am still trying any thought u my have that can help me out,the other fish u have in tank i love to get also .

[@evgenyleznik2559]

Very nice!

[@Widquatics]

Damn that's a sick shellie tank! Do you think they would nip at the anubias if it was planted closer to the substrate?

[@inventoryking]

Super awesome!

[@yenyaoming]

Great video

[@leighwilliams2365]

Would absolutely be willing to buy these fish from you! Live in TN though😁

[@UHPhilipA]

Love the background of this tank. Where do you get the shells for the decor?

[@TazawaTanks]

KZbinDatBoi The shells are escargot shells. You can get that at restaurant supply stores, or on Amazon. Thanks!

[@clint-prestigeaquatics4418]

This guy is so nice, how could you possibly throw a dislike?

[@SayManWhat]

Had 8 ended up with about 27. They mated as soon as I started feeding brine shrimp and bloodworms.

[@aquascaping1013]

I love these...I just having trouble getting breeding started

[@TazawaTanks]

Make sure you have a lot of shells.

[@aquascaping1013]

Tazawa Tanks yeah I get plenty but I only have 4 so should I get more? There in a 10 gallon

[@TazawaTanks]

You may have no females. I’d wait another month or two. If nothing, see if you can get some females.

[@mr-_-steele2434]

I have a 20 long with holey rock and shells just waiting for a good group of these little dudes. There has only ever been one or two at my lfs.. someday!

[@adamalward3450]

I'm currently searching searching for these fish. I'm really far from you, NB Canada lol. They seem hard to find tho. Hoping some people can get them in :) Great content!!

[@rene85065]

I would absolutely purchase some if you ever shipped to Southern California

[@corey6269]

More content Tazawatanks 😎😎😎

[@FoxDreams]

I have a 40B which I planned on having only the Neo.Multies in...ordered 6 fish (from aquabid) and got..6 males. Obviously need more fish in the spring..if you sell babies I'm THERE! :D (I'm in MI - absolutely no way to order fish til at least April, and most likely May) Have been thinking on adding a couple snails...I try hard to keep the water quality good but with 6 tiny fish in a 36" long tank, I'm sure SOME food falls by the wayside. Have kept the stats at 0/0/>15 for the past 5 months...but extra insurance would be good :)

[@marymorris9421]

I love o tanks/videos. If you ship, I would be interested in purchasing some.

[@sirex02]

Awesome set up! I'm in the middle of setting up a shelly tank now. Where did you get the background?

[@TazawaTanks]

I made it.

[@sirex02]

@@TazawaTanks show me the way...tell me your secret how to.

[@samcruz7782]

Please ship! I have never seen these fish in my local stores and would love a colony!

[@MarineTank-fp9tn]

So wanna get these guys one day

[@PULAG]

I have a light blue, black striped small cichlid with the same look as these you have but just more colorful is it the same fish?

[@elr5475]

Is there a way to keep shellies without them multiplying out of control? Great video.

[@TazawaTanks]

My advice would be to sell your extra ones locally. They will breed to the amount of space they have and available food.

[@jensmith8404]

hi i'm writing for some advice, i absolutely adore your 'multi' shell dweller tanks and the fish, and i want to do a multi tank.. here's the thing, 2 months ago i changed out the dark gravel to light gravel(small - only 10 lbs in the tank), can i just leave the gravel or should i cover with this, add on to of gravel . i think gravel would be okay since they live where there's large rocks and shells, not sand.. what do you think? does arragonite cloud the water if i put the whole bag under water to pour over the gravel.. i plan on getting this to started feeding them and any fry.. baby brine shimp what else would you suggest? thank asap

[@TazawaTanks]

Aragonite helps because of its buffering qualities to help keep the water hard/higher pH. If you have hard water and don't need the buffering, a coarse sand is good. As far as gravel...you can use it, but the sand or aragonite will be much better for them (they like to dig and bury shells). Aragonite shouldn't cloud your water if you rinse it before adding. If it does, it usually clears up in a couple of days.

[@thomasbroderick3194]

Please start shiping out of the country i really cant find any around and would love to get yours

[@chriskerr6342]

i love the cave in the back do you have a link on where i can get one like that

[@chriskerr6342]

its the big one that the fish was swimming in and out of

[@TazawaTanks]

I made it. I actually have videos on my channel about how to make these backgrounds.

[@ummguy5548]

Let me think. Would I buy an awesome fish from a KZbin that I support and enjoy? Hell yeah I would!

[@kerrypitt9789]

These are still on my radar. I am sort of holding off ordering out of town until this weather warms up. We have had between -37F and -31F which barely sounds better than it is in Celcius. I love your presentation, always. You said once someone told you that you talk to much. Yeah ignore that. Your information is always worth listening to and you are enthusiastic as well. I wish someone would make decorative PVC instead of the stark white fittings, but I have the rest of the winter to find an alternative. Zenzo since you touched on thumbs up, which I do always, Sometimes I want to catch one of the videos that pop up near the end. If I switch then, does it have a negative effect on your score? Cory touched on this once but I was never clear on what the timing was and I want to give you whatever I can for this kind of support. Thanks again for your work.

[@Glock23Fire]

I was curious about the effects of clicking the links at the end also. Hopefully someone knows and comments

[@TazawaTanks]

Which links? The ones I pinned in the comments? Those are just to some of my other KZbin videos.

[@TazawaTanks]

The links at the end of my video just takes you to more of my videos.

[@kerrypitt9789]

@@Glock23Fire I'm not sure what you mean? The links just take you to the sources of his supplies and equipment, at least that is my experience so far. Is that what you mean?

[@Glock23Fire]

Kerry I thought you were asking if following the links to Zenzos other videos that pop up at the end of will have a negative effect on the video i originally watched. I think KZbin keeps stats on whether viewers watch till the end or not.

[@nozr1383]

It is hard to find them here in central Alabama.

[@h.3531]

Mbuna vs Shellies vs Oscar Which one is your favourite and why? *Would love to hear from all of you as I'm trying to decide which one to go.

[@TazawaTanks]

Between those three choices, I love the Shellies the most. I have all three and I love them all, but I enjoy my Shellies a lot. Oscar is a close second. They are wonderful too. If you have a big tank already, get the Oscar. You can always add a second smaller tank for some Shellies.

[@melchantz]

Sheeellies 🥰

[@jensmith8404]

hi again, can you tell me what lighting and kelvin is on this tank?

[@billlooker2689]

I have no clue where you live and this is a old video. I rescued a tub of multi a week ago here in sw Florida thay were in a tub in what I would call mud. So far going good in a holding 75g tank. They will move soon to a lowboy. I would love to get that same combination you have. But can't find the fish locally.

[@aquaticspendthrift4228]

I have some they are cool. For me cleaning the tank is a strugle. If i try and syphon the sand babies tends to get siphond too what do you do to clean the substrate?

[@TazawaTanks]

I don’t! Hahahaha!

[@jensmith8404]

hi again, can you tell me what light you use on this tak and the K-rating (6500K maybe? ) ?

[@TheHHHamburger]

I just got myself 10 of them. They are still pretty small. I have them in a 55 gallon and was wondering what do you feed these little guys?

[@TazawaTanks]

Crushed up flake and small pellets. Frozen brine shrimp.

[@jensmith8404]

hi, would it be ok to put 1 or 2 Petricola Synodontis in my multi tank?

[@gabri3l_c.111]

Shellies for the win🤙🏽💪🏽

[@desireeahumada7709]

Thanks for making this video I have 10 gallon empty tank and want to stock with shellies how many would you suggest I start with also where can I find a rock background like the one you have ?

[@TazawaTanks]

Maybe around 4-5 to start. I made the background in this tank.

[@360Link]

Hi, i like your setup a lot... One question, i want to buy Juwel Trigon 190, it comes with own filter, will that filter be ok for setup like yours or i will need to buy stronger external filter? If so, what filter do you suggest for Juwel Trigon 190? Thank you...

[@TazawaTanks]

I am not familiar with that tank or the filter that it comes with.

[@360Link]

@@TazawaTanks thank you for reply :) what i was thinking, i saw on some videos that chiclids needs filter which can 7-10times do cycle of amount of water in aquarium in 1 hour if you undersrand what i mean, english is not my first language so.... like strong filter... do this type of chiclids needs very strong filter or it will be good stock one, what do you mean?

[@TazawaTanks]

Your English is good. These will be fine with a regular filter. They don’t need a high flow.

[@360Link]

@@TazawaTanks Thank you for you opinion...

[@addisonledley6307]

🐠Thanks for this vid. It was a pick me up on how to further set up my tank. I have a 20 high. I started with three multis and three brichardi. I’ve lost all but one brichardi.(assuming fights. I got more and one was injured and one killed. The original brichardi was the one left). I was really loosing my will with Shellies)I may dedicate the whole tank to multis. I am going to buy more shells and some lava rock. Also what plant is that? I’m also going to try to make a background. Will a HOB filter be a problem in the long run?(do I need sponge to cover it). If anyone knows the senders to my questions please awnser it would mean a lot! Thanks!

[@TazawaTanks]

A sponge pre-filter on your hob would be best. The plant is an anubias.

[@lukeboomstra6136]

How has it been working with the brichardi's in the tank? I have seen a lot of mixed opinions on keeping them together and would like to hear from someone who has been doing it. I want to keep both in a 75, but would like to be able to have fry grow up without removing them so I'm worried about if they would get eaten.

[@TazawaTanks]

It has been going well for a few years now. I am actually releasing another shell dweller video this weekend. No issues with these two species in the tank together.

[@lukeboomstra6136]

@@TazawaTanks That's awesome! I guess i'll have to subscribe so I can check it out when you upload it. Thanks for the quick response on such an old video.

[@PULAG]

Very weird question but, can you keep living shells (snails) with these fish? Or will they try to eat it and use the shell for a home..?

[@TazawaTanks]

Not a weird question at all! Yes, you can keep snails with them. I have several nerite snails in 3 of my shell dweller tanks.

[@PULAG]

@@TazawaTanks awesome thank you

[@hasaniraybonjr4722]

I recently moved to another part of the city (s.f ) and I have also recently put back up 3 tanks, 5g , 10g , 40g , and last but not least a 90g. I haven't decided yet on what Fish that I would like to do in the tanks, however I am very aware that I need a corentein tank and a hospital tank, just in case. But I am very interested in the shellies and thinking about maybe doing a tank of those, if I were to do that, would it be possible to purchase my fish from you, being that I'm here in San Francisco???

[@TazawaTanks]

Yes, absolutely. I should have some available for sale in July.

[@08r0710]

Wasup. I wanted to know where u would recommend me to order shell dwellers from.

[@charlesw.3245]

Great video bud. I love these fish, I have been building my colony for a while now in a display 40breeder and have been looking for a good top water tank mate for them. Do you have any suggestions for a 40breeder?? I really really think the Paracyprichromis Nigripinnis but don't know if they would be right for a 40b, thoughts? P.s. anyone on the East Coast looking for multifasciatus or similis should check out Bioaquatix in Fl.. He has them available most of the time, but doesn't advertise much.

[@TazawaTanks]

Cyprichromis would be good in your tank.

[@traecole3629]

Interested in purchasing some of your multis depending on price if you’re shipping fish

[@TazawaTanks]

Hi Trae. I’m only shipping fish within California.

[@58MrMike]

How do you catch them in order to sell? Mine dive into the shells when I approach the tank?

[@TazawaTanks]

Patience, and a large net. I have found that using two nets helps.

[@milehighbeerguy4586]

Can you mix different species of shell dwelling cichlids?

[@TazawaTanks]

If you have a very large aquarium (lots of floor space). Otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend it.