Centerpiece fish that likes high flow

[Sgooosh]

we also love our pandas... but they can get double the 2 inch size... in my group of 5, at least two of them go as long as 4 inches... not sure if that relates to sex or not... mine are in a high flow 55 gallon, that I keep in the low 70s F. ( heater is set at 72 degrees ) they are highly active an personable... they are one of Mrs. favorite fish there are many fish in the group or similar to "Hillstream's" that would likely fit... it one of my favorite tanks to watch, if nothing else, because of the activity level

oh wow, I guess that is okay then, as my characodons and swordtails are of similar size.
Are they aggressive at all to baby fish?

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Panda Garra are the most underrated bottom feeder in the hobby, IMO. Peaceful, active, and just really fun. Good algae eaters too.

If I wanted a show stopper fish for a high-flow 75g, my first choice would be a group of Dawkinsia barbs (I'm particularly fond of assimilis, though I've never kept them; ask @Boundava about them) or blue hill trout (Barilius bakeri). Alas that I am limited to a 55g for my home tank...

 

[Sgooosh]

Panda Garra are the most underrated bottom feeder in the hobby, IMO. Peaceful, active, and just really fun. Good algae eaters too.

If I wanted a show stopper fish for a high-flow 75g, my first choice would be a group of Dawkinsia barbs (I'm particularly fond of assimilis, though I've never kept them; ask @Boundava about them) or blue hill trout (Barilius bakeri). Alas that I am limited to a 55g for my home tank...

cool! I'll start finding where they sell them then, very excited
woah, those barbs are crazy looking, I love the false eye looking thing. I assume they are peaceful as well?
I never knew you could keep trout in aquarium, the blue hills are definitely beautiful, reminds me of Coho salmon fry

Coho Fry

bluehill trout

 

[jaylach]

Panda Garra are the most underrated bottom feeder in the hobby, IMO. Peaceful, active, and just really fun. Good algae eaters too.

I don't really know that I'd class them as bottom feeders. LOL! They pretty much go everywhere in a tank even it they shouldn't.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

cool! I'll start finding where they sell them then, very excited
woah, those barbs are crazy looking, I love the false eye looking thing. I assume they are peaceful as well?
I never knew you could keep trout in aquarium, the blue hills are definitely beautiful, reminds me of Coho salmon fry
View attachment 370851Coho Fry
View attachment 370852bluehill trout

Blue hill trout aren't a true trout; they're a cyprinid. True trout can be kept in an aquarium; I've seen it done well a few times, but they require a huge amount of space and an industrial strength chiller. I wouldn't try trout in anything less than 250-300g, and I'd have a plan for removing them as they got too big.

 

[Sgooosh]

Blue hill trout aren't a true trout; they're a cyprinid. True trout can be kept in an aquarium; I've seen it done well a few times, but they require a huge amount of space and an industrial strength chiller. I wouldn't try trout in anything less than 250-300g, and I'd have a plan for removing them as they got too big.

Oh that makes it even more interesting, since they look so similar to trout patterns. The face definitely looks like a cyprinid face

Yeah, definitely, watching the baby fish in the trout hatchery is enough haha

 

[Magnum Man]

eat trout, if they get too big???

 

[Sgooosh]

eat trout, if they get too big???

haha, that would be a real expensive fish to eat, unless you raise like 100, but that would definitely taste very good

 

[WhistlingBadger]

eat trout, if they get too big???

Not...necessarily...

 

[jaylach]

I've previously posted the below photo but figured I'd post again here to show why some like Panda Garra so much. The one shown is a juvenile but is pretty common behavior. They have zero fear even with human hands.

You asked a few posts back as to if they are aggressive toward baby fish. That is a hard question to answer as they are VERY active. Some think they are aggressive due to being so active but I think they are mostly playing. It is possible this hyper activity could cause harm to baby fish but, if kept in a group, they will mostly mess with each other. The real danger is having just one as it will want to then interact with other fish in the tank. I suggest at least three. They can't really 'bite' anything as they are suckers/raspers. Second image is the mouth. They do need wood in the tank.

I am NOT trying to convince to get them. I just want you to see a bit about them.

 

[Magnum Man]

I have cherry shrimp established in my tank that has 5 big pandas, and I've seen baby shrimp lately, so while they may eat some very small ones, they are not actively hunting them...

BTW, I have 5 Denison Barbs in the same tank, and while they are also called "Roseline Sharks" they are pretty mello, and both leave my baby panda loaches alone...

 

[jaylach]

I have cherry shrimp established in my tank that has 5 big pandas, and I've seen baby shrimp lately, so while they may eat some very small ones, they are not actively hunting them

I have the same thought about wanting Scuds. While going through the substrate I'm sure that Pandas would eat some scuds but not to the point of killing the scud colonies. Since I'll be doing under gravel filtration with a medium sized river pebble substrate the scuds SHOULD establish colonies even under the filter plates which, hopefully, will help to keep things clean under the plates. My main concern with the scuds is that I'll be using a couple of power heads on the risers. I worry a bit that they could be sucked up and foul the power head's impellers. Still, since the scuds are so small, I doubt that they will be a factor.

 

[Sgooosh]

I've previously posted the below photo but figured I'd post again here to show why some like Panda Garra so much. The one shown is a juvenile but is pretty common behavior. They have zero fear even with human hands.

You asked a few posts back as to if they are aggressive toward baby fish. That is a hard question to answer as they are VERY active. Some think they are aggressive due to being so active but I think they are mostly playing. It is possible this hyper activity could cause harm to baby fish but, if kept in a group, they will mostly mess with each other. The real danger is having just one as it will want to then interact with other fish in the tank. I suggest at least three. They can't really 'bite' anything as they are suckers/raspers. Second image is the mouth. They do need wood in the tank.

I am NOT trying to convince to get them. I just want you to see a bit about them.

View attachment 370864

View attachment 370865

aww, that's so cute how it's cuddling your hand! The tank is big and my babies stay at the top, and I believe they won't mess with the top layer of the tank in the middle right?
I think I'll get 3-6 to start off with, and work my way up to hopefully 10.
Used to have a big group of cory cats, which sadly dwindled over time to only 2, probably because they hated my water

I have cherry shrimp established in my tank that has 5 big pandas, and I've seen baby shrimp lately, so while they may eat some very small ones, they are not actively hunting them...

BTW, I have 5 Denison Barbs in the same tank, and while they are also called "Roseline Sharks" they are pretty mello, and both leave my baby panda loaches alone...

good to know! I always thought denison barbs "looked" less aggressive compared to other "sharks" haha

 

[supperfish]

Hi! Since pearl gouramis didn’t enjoy the high flow, you might want to consider centerpiece fish that are both peaceful and more tolerant of water movement. Here are a few solid options:

1. Sailfin Mollies – Definitely a great choice. They’re large for livebearers, peaceful, and their flowing fins make them visually striking. Just make sure your water is hard enough—they do best in hard, slightly alkaline water, which usually suits livebearers too.

2. Larger Rainbowfish (e.g., Boesemani or Turquoise) – These are active, colorful, peaceful fish that do well in larger tanks with good flow. They’re fast enough not to be bothered by it and get along with most peaceful species.

3. Angelfish – Depending on the temperament of individual fish, a small group or single angelfish can serve as a calm centerpiece. However, be cautious—they may eat very small guppy fry, and they generally prefer moderate flow, not extreme.

4. Keyhole Cichlids – Very peaceful for cichlids, not too large, and relatively unfazed by flow. They can make an elegant centerpiece without dominating the tank.

If you stick with livebearer-compatible water parameters and avoid aggressive species, these should all blend in nicely with your current stock. Sailfin mollies would be the most seamless visual and behavioral fit if you're leaning toward something similar to what you already have, just more "centerpiece-like."

 

[Sgooosh]

Hi! Since pearl gouramis didn’t enjoy the high flow, you might want to consider centerpiece fish that are both peaceful and more tolerant of water movement. Here are a few solid options:

1. Sailfin Mollies – Definitely a great choice. They’re large for livebearers, peaceful, and their flowing fins make them visually striking. Just make sure your water is hard enough—they do best in hard, slightly alkaline water, which usually suits livebearers too.

2. Larger Rainbowfish (e.g., Boesemani or Turquoise) – These are active, colorful, peaceful fish that do well in larger tanks with good flow. They’re fast enough not to be bothered by it and get along with most peaceful species.

3. Angelfish – Depending on the temperament of individual fish, a small group or single angelfish can serve as a calm centerpiece. However, be cautious—they may eat very small guppy fry, and they generally prefer moderate flow, not extreme.

4. Keyhole Cichlids – Very peaceful for cichlids, not too large, and relatively unfazed by flow. They can make an elegant centerpiece without dominating the tank.

If you stick with livebearer-compatible water parameters and avoid aggressive species, these should all blend in nicely with your current stock. Sailfin mollies would be the most seamless visual and behavioral fit if you're leaning toward something similar to what you already have, just more "centerpiece-like."

thank you!
Wonder if Poecilia latipinna mollies could survive out in the greenhouse...
I always do love rainbowfish, they're just quite expensive and I understand I need a large group of them.
Angel fish are wonderful, but I think my flow would blow them over since they're so thin
I never thought of keyhole chiclids! those look so different from what I have. Would a pair work?

yeah, I always wanted to get some wildtype P. latipinna or P. velifera