Greater Chicago Cichlid Association

10/12/2026

Last night at the GCCA: Chris Carpenter on shell dwellers. Thanks to Chris for the drive down from Grand Rapids, and to everyone who came out.

A full BAP table of fish our members bred at home, then the raffle and auction.

Next up: the November swap. Sunday, Nov 1, 10 am (early entry 9:30), Hilton Chicago Northbrook. Fish, plants and supplies.

Were you there? What did you take home?

10/10/2026

Two more from Chris Carpenter before tomorrow night.

Why pool filter sand? "I recommend pool filter sand because it's a larger grain and has less of a chance to build up anaerobic pockets."

Can you mix shell dweller species? "Personally, I'm not a fan of mixing shell dweller species. They will fight over the same territory."

And one that's too big to live in a shell, so he collects them instead.

Ask Chris your own questions tomorrow, Sunday Oct 11, 6 pm, Hilton Chicago Northbrook. Guests welcome

10/09/2026

What's the best first shell dweller? We asked Chris Carpenter. His answer: multis.

"They don't have the same level of conspecific aggression that some of the other shellies do. Also, they're usually pretty easy to find."

They're easy to breed and great parents, too.

Bring Chris your own shellie questions Sunday, Oct 11, 6 pm, Hilton Chicago Northbrook. Guests welcome

10/08/2026

How small can you go with a shellie colony? We asked Chris Carpenter.

His answer is on the photo. What's your smallest shellie tank?

Sunday, Oct 11, 6 pm, Hilton Chicago Northbrook. Guests welcome.

10/07/2026

This fish lives in a snail shell. So why doesn't the shell dissolve? 🐚

Lake Tanganyika's water is so hard and alkaline that empty shells get coated in calcium instead of breaking down, and shell dwellers like these Neolamprologus brevis "Sunspot" move right in.

Chris Carpenter (Master Breeder, Grand Valley Aquarium Club) explains the rest this Sunday.

📍 Hilton Chicago Northbrook, 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave
🕕 Sunday, Oct 11, 6 pm
Guests welcome. Raffle and auction after the talk.

10/07/2026

We asked Chris Carpenter: which shellie should a beginner start with?

His answer is in the photos. Agree? What was yours?

He's at the GCCA Sunday, Oct 11, 6 pm, Hilton Chicago Northbrook. Guests welcome.

10/06/2026

As promised, here's Chris: "I suggest 3 to 4 shells per fish, because it makes them feel more secure and there's less chance of squabbles over territory."

Hear more from him Sunday, 6 pm, Hilton Chicago Northbrook.

10/05/2026

Quick one for the shellie people: how many shells do you give each fish?

1? 2? A whole pile? Tell me below. Chris Carpenter has an answer, and I'll post it tomorrow.

He's speaking Sunday, Oct 11, 6 pm at the GCCA meeting in Northbrook. Guests welcome

10/05/2026

What was your first shell dweller?

Mine was Neolamprologus similis. Chris Carpenter got hooked after buying multis. He's talking shellies at the GCCA next Sunday, Oct 11, 6 pm, Hilton Chicago Northbrook.

10/05/2026