Any Ideas For What Fish To Get?

[.Jamie.]

Hi guys. I started with a Betta tank, my betta died a few weeks ago - but anyway back on topic. I have started cycling an new 18.7 US gallon aquaone aquarium (fishless). I'm not really sure what fish to get for this tank considering it is fairly small..what interesting fish would you reccomend for this tank? Please note I don't want to have some massive community with lots of mini fish swimming around. I'd like a fish which is fairly big, but that obviously isn't so big that it isn't suitable for my aquarium. I like ram cichlids, but I've heard they are sensitive to water conditions? also what is your thought on dwarf gouramis? Thanks..obviously no fish will be added until the cycle is complete

I have a 100 watt heater, fluval u2 internal filter, air pump, and a light ( not sure what type ). Oh yeah my tank is 24 in long x 12 in wide x 15 in high. I would love to have some angels but because I'm at college and all and I don't yet have a job I can't currently afford to get a tank any larger so please don't reccomend getting a bigger aquarium. Anyway thanks very much!

 

[Curiosity101]

I'd recommend a pair of dwarf gouramis or dwarf cichlids like you suggested. My personal preference would be for dwarf cichlids cause a pair of dwarf gouramis is more risky.

With rams it really depends on how you keep them and where you got them from. From my experience GBRs aren't fragile unless you ignore the recommended parameters and I've never really seen anyone have a problem with bolivians.

An alternative dwarf cichlid (if you wanted an alternative) would be a single/pair/trio of apistogramma. The number you would want to get would depend completely on which species you picked. The good thing is (if you don't like smaller fish). Is that you could probably mix apistos/rams with a single dwarf gourami. That would give you activity at all levels of the tank without using shoaling fish. Obviously you'll have to consider the water parameters though and be sure that the two species you picked were compatible in that sensse.

A couple of other alternatives cichlid wise would be dwarf flag cichlids or kribs... I can't really think of many more off the top of my head.

 

[.Jamie.]

I'd recommend a pair of dwarf gouramis or dwarf cichlids like you suggested. My personal preference would be for dwarf cichlids cause a pair of dwarf gouramis is more risky.

With rams it really depends on how you keep them and where you got them from. From my experience GBRs aren't fragile unless you ignore the recommended parameters and I've never really seen anyone have a problem with bolivians.

An alternative dwarf cichlid (if you wanted an alternative) would be a single/pair/trio of apistogramma. The number you would want to get would depend completely on which species you picked. The good thing is (if you don't like smaller fish). Is that you could probably mix apistos/rams with a single dwarf gourami. That would give you activity at all levels of the tank without using shoaling fish. Obviously you'll have to consider the water parameters though and be sure that the two species you picked were compatible in that sensse.

A couple of other alternatives cichlid wise would be dwarf flag cichlids or kribs... I can't really think of many more off the top of my head.

thanks very much. The apistogrammas are very nice, and I am thonking about a trio of them. Thanks I appreciate your advice.

 

[samorkel]

I have a pair of Bolivians in my 90 gal and they're great fish and can live in a smaller tank such as yours

 

[SamLovesCorys]

Thicklip Gouramis! Hardy and Peaceful

 

[alstermania]

Dwarf Gouramis are perfect for this setup!If you wanted to go coldwater (-heater) get some fancy goldfish.All you need to do with goldfish is provide plenty of oxygen and take care of weekly cleaning.Don't think of goldfish as a carnival pet because some, such as the fantail variety and telescope variety, are beautiful! Good luck

 

[samorkel]

Goldfish needs huge tanks because of their massive bio-load and potential size I would not recommend goldfish