Where can I find a good variety?

[Wayodust]

I am looking to get some shellies for a 20g I set up recently. Any advice on where I can find a good variety or anybody willing to part with a trio would be appreciated!

[AndrewH]

LFS Map (http://www.dfwfishbox.com/forums/production/lfsmap.php)
At the top of the screen there is a link to all the local shops.

Rift 2 Reef should be a good source.

[greeneyed]

Agreed, go see Dane @ Rift 2 Reef.

[Wayodust]

Thanks, I might force the girlfriend to take the trip up there with me tonight!

[AndrewH]

Go for it!!! She'll be impressed with your high quality LFS selection :hehe:

[Wayodust]

I wish... she, at best, puts up with my obsession.

[AndrewH]

LOL, I hear ya. I'm very thankful for a GF that encourages me to get more tanks :D.

What types of shellies are you looking for (I'm new to shellies)? Just so I'm clear, shellies somewhat = dwarf african cichlids, right?

What type of tank do you have for them (or will have if that is the case)?

[Wayodust]

I'm debating between ocellatus and meleagris, but I'm pretty sure I've settled on ocellatus.

I have a 20 set up to get a nice little harem going. I have some of those "glo-lite" zebra fish in there right now that should serve as good ditherfish (my gf would comment on them everytime we went to a store).

I used to breed multies in a 15g when i was in high school (about 10 years ago) and my brother still has that colony going in a 55g now. They are by far my favorite fish, beautiful with TONS of personality. If "worse came to worse" I would get multies again, but I feel I should branch out into something new. I once had a pair of brevis that would never spawn.

I also have a 55g S.A. tank with severums, angels, and some random tetras and what not. We'll see how that tank goes, but Africans have my heart.

[AndrewH]

...but I feel I should branch out into something new.
I think that's where I'm at too.

I want to try my hand at keeping different fish, which I haven't in the past.

To date, I've only had community planted tanks, so venturing into shellies first with a small setup I think may end up being my introduction into all Africans. I think the first large scale African tank is currently planned to be a Victorian tank, but I still have a lot of research to do before concrete plans are made.

Heck, who knows with the TCA auction and empty tanks, I might just do something wild and crazy :twitch:.

[Wayodust]

I just picked up 3 small ocellatus from R2R. Traffic was so bad it took me 2.5 hours to get there and back... I live in north dallas!