A Larger Centrepiece Fish/fishes..

[Squid]

The tank is a Juwel Rio 180
External eheim 2026 PII - so good filtration

The environment for it... PH just under 7 (bogwoods fault )
Sand Substrate
NO3 - low enough to cause me the odd algae issue
Wood, rocks
Java fern and Valis..

Tanks mates it/they will have to live with..

2 panda cory (which may be upped)
5 pentazona barbs
5 Cardinal Tetras
Bob - the BN Plec
2 otos..

im well under the inch per gallon rule, but with my nitrate levels, my filter, and the fact that the middle and upper parts of the tank have loads of room visually, i have a bit of room to play with..

I would quite like a larger fish in the tank to be centre of attention, and would like some ideas.. I like clown loaches but they are on the bottom and are too big for the tank, i like oscars too, but lets be serious, even if the tank was bigger i would have some big issues with its tank mates ... but it gives you an idea of the type of fish i like..

So.. inspire me please...

Of course the other option I have considered is to change it all to a Mbuna tank.. but... the missus likes the plants, and the mbuna get the munchies..

Cheers
Squid..

 

[Squid]

No inspiration whatsoever???

 

[QuotheRaven]

So nothing that demolishes plants so that kills my Severum suggestion Lol

Yoyo Loaches are good but a little to small to really be a centre piece
an Anostomus Anostomus would work if the fish aren't nippy and the other fish could take a little bit of nipping because anostomus's can be a little aggressive about 50/50 chance...

 

[pica_nuttalli]

perhaps a dwarf cichlid of some sort? bolivian rams are very nice looking once sexually mature and reach a larger size than most apistos. but there's a slight chance of them munching your neons.

perhaps a moonlight gourami--i think those are really pretty too.

why not just stop in at your local LFS and see what you like the looks of. write down some names and we can let you know what's workable and what's not.

 

[chibi]

I'd get a huge pleco! They're peaceful, big, and cool, yes? Oh, and getting more pandas would be a good idea. Oooh, or a gourami! They are pretty and peaceful.

 

[kcalbat]

angelfish? very distinct personality, moves on all levels of tank and provided the right waters, they get decently large.

maybe a large school of neon blue dwarf rainbows..one big splash of metallic ,colorful activity.

 

[Squid]

angelfish? very distinct personality, moves on all levels of tank and provided the right waters, they get decently large.

maybe a large school of neon blue dwarf rainbows..one big splash of metallic ,colorful activity.

hmm.. angelfish. I've often thought about buying one of the older, larger anglefish from the LFS.. that could be a good idea.

The larger gouramis are an idea i have been toying with too...

I think i might avoid the fin nippers raven

any more ideas?

Squid

 

[chibi]

Oh no! Don't buy a large, mature angelfish! Buy them little. If you buy a big one, they will certain harrass your other little fishies. If they are brought up with little fish, they will be nice to them. If not, they will most likely eat your tetras !

 

[Breeze7050]

Squid - I have this almost exact same post!! It's hard to find a nice centerpiece fish. Im leaning towards the gourami's but have a hard time finding them in my LFS! Good luck finding something spectacular!

 

[Squid]

Squid - I have this almost exact same post!! It's hard to find a nice centerpiece fish. Im leaning towards the gourami's but have a hard time finding them in my LFS! Good luck finding something spectacular!

Are you pleased with the rainbow fish you have?

Good luck too..!

 

[Breeze7050]

Oh yes, I love my Rainbowfish - they are great! First fish I got in that tank. Actually thought about getting a few more, but would like to try something new. Although I make pick up 1 more female as I have a 3-1 ratio - poor thing! good buy! They are hillarious when they eat! I mean they nearly jump right out and into the food jar!

 

[Breeze7050]

Well, I hit up the LFS's this weekend and came home with 6 black skirt/widow tetras and 2 lace gourami's all are doing well! Did you find anything yet??

 

[Squid]

Well, I hit up the LFS's this weekend and came home with 6 black skirt/widow tetras and 2 lace gourami's all are doing well! Did you find anything yet??

Not yet.. busy weekend. I have to make sure i'm definitely carrying on in the plant direction, or if i have a complete change in the Mbuna direction. Get the plants sorted then the fish.. Lace gouramis eh... will have to google them..!!! well done..

Squid

 

[PaulEbs]

I completely agree with the angelfish suggestion Squid, not only are they incredible to watch growing up, but their character and the hours of entertainment they provide is superb.

Also, if you get 4 [which is probably as far as I'd go with stocking in your case] when they are beautifully small then chances are you'll end up with a pair - and watching angels court then lay eggs is amazing, plus if you have enough spare time + space, their not too difficult to breed.

I've always thought about changing my planted tank into a chichlid tank - but I think I'd miss the plants and delicacy of it all. Although to be honest my future plan is to create a 'nano' planted tank and eventually turn the larger tank into some sort of chichlid world.

Deffinatly look more up about the angels though, would be a wise choice in my opinion, plus there's so many varieties to choose from.

Regards,

Paul.


EDIT - Just thought I'd add, once angelfish get a little bigger they sometimes do tend to opt for some greenery as a snack, but I've found this can be easily remedeed with an algae wafer [this sorts my angel out as she nips on that for fibre instead].

 

[~T~]

Anglefish, one black one white