227 Litre- Fish From Different Continents

[reptileman]

So as some of you know, I was originally doing a African themed tank with african fish (no cichlids), problem is with the fish available to me there wasn't very much color. I currently have 6x congo tetras 6x petricol synodontis and 1x leopard ctenpoma. I was wondering if 1. is it irregular or not reccomended to mix fish from different continents. and 2.if not what can i add, i've always liked cories, discus, neons, basically active fish in the day/ fish with color. I would like to not have to get rid of any of my fish, but if need be, then I will see what i can do.
 
oh and i also currently have plants from different continents.,.... weird or not?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Its quite common.  The key is to keep fish together that require the same water parameters.  Certainly, you don't want to keep fish that require soft water with fish that require hard water.  Also, they need to have similar temperments - peaceful with peaceful, aggressive with aggressive, etc.
 
In my own tank at home, I have South American fish (neon tetras, panda corydoras, and BN pleco) with Asian fish (harlequin rasboras and zebra danio).  They get along just fine.  They all are peaceful fish, and the water needs are nearly identical.
 
 
I don't think these fish care, because ultimately, they probably were never in the wild - and even if they were, chances are pretty low that they actually came from the same region of the continent, even if there are from the same continent.  For example, my neons, pandas and BN while all South American, aren't from the same region of the Amazonian water basin.
 
 
As far as plants go - once again, I have Amazon swords (South American), anubias (African) and java fern (Asian) in this same tank.  With plants, its about matching the plants to the water and the lighting.  Again, as long as the plants can thrive in the water you have, and look good together, I don't worry about origins.
 
 
 
(Now with all that said, I've been trying to get a South American biotype tank together for a while now.  Been having some issues with it, but I haven't given up yet.)

 

[reptileman]

thanks! now will a full grown leopard bushfish, or congo tetra eat neons?\

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

thanks! now will a full grown leopard bushfish, or congo tetra eat neons?\

No question, even bigger species than Neon tetras will be live lunch to the bushfish! My four bushfish have grown from ~2cm to ~11cm over nearly three years and I could easily put my index finger down their extendable mouths.
 
You have to be very careful what you mix with bushfish, not only because of the above, but also they are shy fish that are easily spooked by zippy fish. Tankmates need to be civilised eaters.
 
For some colour, keeping with African fish, consider species like...
Yellow Tail Congo Tetra (but you will need to get these quickly or grow them out in another tank, depending upon your bushfish's size, at least two females per male, ideally 10+ group)
Pyjama Synodontis (very social for synos, lovely bronze stripes, 6+ would be great; rarely get bigger than ~9cm SL)
 
Or simply get some more Congo Tetras, a group of 12-15 would look awsome, with an equal male/female ratio.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

thanks! now will a full grown leopard bushfish, or congo tetra eat neons?\

 
 
I forget to mention that it also is important to keep similarly sized fish as well.  Generally - big fish eat small fish, so if there is a great discrepancy in size, lunch may be served.

 

[reptileman]

okay thanks i might trade out everything other the synodontis

 

[colleen0309]

Or get another tank

 !

 

[TooManyChoices]

Mixing fish from different continents...the thing of my nightmares D:

In my first ever tank I had congo tetras, kribensis and...a bristlenose!!! I try not to think about that tank.