65 Gallon Aquarium Fish?

[xGOLIATH-]

Im getting a new tank soon and it is probably going to be a 65 gallon. The person selling it to me currently has 6 cichlids (i dont know which type) and 2 plecos. I plan to keep the bigger 10" pleco and trade in the other fish to a local pet store for credit. I used to have a cichlid tank and wasnt happy with the lack of diversity... and the agression. I also used to have a oscar but he ate everything ... and i mean everything (plants, plecos, other cichlids etc.) Im considering this combination right now- 1 Elephant nose fish, 4 clown loaches, 1 pleco, and a rope fish. Do you think this will get to crowded after they grow more? I was thinking that they would all be in seperate areas. Clown loaches near the bottom, pleco on the edges of tank, elephant hiding, and the rope fish mid tank/bottom. Any ideas? And do any of you know any good fish that dwell at the top of tank? Im looking for interesting fish that are mid size.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Clown loaches really need a 6ft tank as they can get 12+ inches. They also do best in shoals of 6 or more.

 

[Crossfire]

Im getting a new tank soon and it is probably going to be a 65 gallon. The person selling it to me currently has 6 cichlids (i dont know which type) and 2 plecos. I plan to keep the bigger 10" pleco and trade in the other fish to a local pet store for credit. I used to have a cichlid tank and wasnt happy with the lack of diversity... and the agression. I also used to have a oscar but he ate everything ... and i mean everything (plants, plecos, other cichlids etc.) Im considering this combination right now- 1 Elephant nose fish, 4 clown loaches, 1 pleco, and a rope fish. Do you think this will get to crowded after they grow more? I was thinking that they would all be in seperate areas. Clown loaches near the bottom, pleco on the edges of tank, elephant hiding, and the rope fish mid tank/bottom. Any ideas? And do any of you know any good fish that dwell at the top of tank? Im looking for interesting fish that are mid size.

Elephant noses are extremely timid and fragile. They need to have tip top water conditions as well as big schools or else they get to shy to do anything and eventually die from a combination of loneliness and starvation. Why not go for a discus or community tank?

 

[xGOLIATH-]

still considering every option and everyone's opinion.

 

[onidrase]

Agreed, scrap the elephant nose, I've only seen elephant noses live in very specialized tanks. A school of 6 clown loaches would be alright in a 4 foot tank for a while (I'm assuming you have a 4 foot tank) as they grow very slowly. However, like Dieses said they get 12 inches long, and even bigger if you take good care of them, so you'd have to eventually upgrade to a 6' long, 2' wide, and 2' tall tank to keep them long term. They're definitely a long term commitment fish, as well. They can get well over 20 years old.

 

[xGOLIATH-]

Im looking for unique fish, fish i can just stare at for hours (probably while high) and always be amazed at how cool they are. example - ropefish... or an arrowana.

 

[onidrase]

Im looking for unique fish, fish i can just stare at for hours (probably while high) and always be amazed at how cool they are. example - ropefish... or an arrowana.

Right, right... Well, I have no idea what rope fish are, but arowanas get way too huge. 2 feet or bigger. They're really for the ones out there who manage to get 8-10 foot long 500+ gallon tanks.

I can stare at my tanks for hours, and I don't even need to get high. But I guess that's just me

There are plenty of oddball fish out there that will fit in their tanks, and will be much more hardy and active than elephant noses.

You can hop down to the oddballs institute section and look around if any of those suit your fancy.

I'm no expert on oddballs myself, but there are plenty out there who can give you some ideas if you're looking for something different

You can also look at a stocking list like this, (it'd keep me watching, anyway)

12 glass catfish or x-ray tetras
10 khuli loaches
15 zebra danios (they could zoom from one side of the tank to the other in a matter of seconds, I'd find it fun to watch)
?? pearl gouramis

You'd still have some wiggle room with that stocking for compatible fishes, or upping the schools on the khulis and glass type fishes.

 

[xGOLIATH-]

Great advice! now im thinking maybe 5 kuhli loachs, a pleco, and a male and female Pearl Gouramis. I should have room for a few more fish though ... any more suggestions?

 

[snake007]

I would add a few more female gouramis to spread the pestering of the male to the females.

 

[Ruskull]

Great advice! now im thinking maybe 5 kuhli loachs, a pleco, and a male and female Pearl Gouramis. I should have room for a few more fish though ... any more suggestions?

Definetely get Pearl Gouramis, a single male & 2 females would be perfect in a tank that size. Also, get 6 Kuhli Loaches instead of 5 since you have the room. I would get a Pleco, maybe a Gold Nugget type if it were available. I think those only get about 10 inches tops.

You should get some kind of schooling fish to fill that size tank. Maybe a school of Glass Cats or Black Phantom Tetras. I always wanted those myself.............

I would add a few more female gouramis to spread the pestering of the male to the females.

Exactly, at least 2 females per male, better with more.

 

[Ruskull]

Here's some Glass Catfish, imagine them in a big school.............

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-tIpQNWOqc&feature=related