Empty 12g Want Something Interesting......

[sparklefuzz]

Due to very bad luck with bettas, I have decided to ditch the dividers in my divided 12g uk tank and opt for something new. At first I wanted to do a nano reef, but after a minimal amount of research I think it will be a bad idea as my first attempt at marine... so...I'm open to freshwater and brackish??, and I'd like something unusual or interesting... even it that means having a fish on its own - a puffer perhaps? I don't know what kind of 'unusual' fish could live in a 12g though, so I'm open to suggestions... I've read a little on puffers, and the whole dentistry thing puts me off, are there any that I wouldn't need to trim? Anyways, experts! I need your suggestions! I've got my filter cycling on my main tank, so I'll be wanting to stock it in a couple of weeks... and of course after I decide what to put into it, I need some time to research.

So, unusual... or interesting / different... 12g uk... suggestions?!

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

dwarf spotted puffer would be good. most people do there dsp in 10-20 gallon tanks.

 

[dthoffsett]

With enough plants you could do 2 dwarf puffers. They are lots of personality in a small package, and you don't have to trim.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Of course it is very different to know what other people are going to think is interesting or even different (i.e. the livebearers I keep are a lot more unusual in the hobby than dwarf puffers, but most people still would see the puffers as the "different" ones). These are a few ideas I've had myself in the past:

cichlid species tank for shelldwellers (neolamprologus multifasciatus)

killiefish of some description- like aphyosemion gardneri, or a school of lamp-eyed panchax

school of small rainbows, like the blue-eyed forktail

group of peacock gobies

group of desert gobies

coldwater tank for white-cheeked gobies

species tank for bumblebee gobies- possibly need to go brackish

sparkling gouramis

there are several less well known anabantoids out there, unusual bettas etc

 

[sparklefuzz]

With enough plants you could do 2 dwarf puffers. They are lots of personality in a small package, and you don't have to trim.

Can you tell me what the difference is between a dwarf puffer and a figure 8 puffer? I saw a figure 8 yesterday in the LFS and thought he was lovely.

How come dwarf puffers don't need trimming? And do they *need* plants, I'm not a fan of planted aquariums, as a rule.

Thanks for the advice so far!

Oh, and waspfish just look eerie *shudder* so I don't think that is an option!! no offence

Of course it is very different to know what other people are going to think is interesting or even different (i.e. the livebearers I keep are a lot more unusual in the hobby than dwarf puffers, but most people still would see the puffers as the "different" ones). These are a few ideas I've had myself in the past:

cichlid species tank for shelldwellers (neolamprologus multifasciatus)

killiefish of some description- like aphyosemion gardneri, or a school of lamp-eyed panchax

school of small rainbows, like the blue-eyed forktail

group of peacock gobies

group of desert gobies

coldwater tank for white-cheeked gobies

species tank for bumblebee gobies- possibly need to go brackish

sparkling gouramis

there are several less well known anabantoids out there, unusual bettas etc

Wow, now theres some options... looks like I've got some research to do. Any of them need particularly special care?

 

[dwarfgourami]

cichlid species tank for shelldwellers (neolamprologus multifasciatus)

killiefish of some description- like aphyosemion gardneri, or a school of lamp-eyed panchax

school of small rainbows, like the blue-eyed forktail

group of peacock gobies

group of desert gobies

coldwater tank for white-cheeked gobies

species tank for bumblebee gobies- possibly need to go brackish

sparkling gouramis

there are several less well known anabantoids out there, unusual bettas etc

Wow, now theres some options... looks like I've got some research to do. Any of them need particularly special care?
[/quote]

For the shelldwellers, you would need to set up a hard water tank with sand and lots of shells- e.g. the snail shells you buy at delicatessens, 3-4 per fish. No need for plants, you can add a rock for visual interest but the multies don't actually need it. Expect them to dig in the sand and rearrange the shells.

I do not know a lot about killifish. Lamp-eyes would want a peaceful tank, with probably planting round the edges. They are not very fussy about ph, but probably want it quite clean.

Forktail blue-eyes, again planting round the edges, can cope with hard water and a certain amount of water movement. Maybe a couple of males with several females.

Peacock gobies- a male with a harem. Not too much water movement, some sort of cave or pipe to hide in, may need to be acclimatised to flake foods. Beautiful fish.

Desert and white-cheeked gobies- ask in oddballs forum.

Bumblebees- probably do need live food, ask in brackish forum for other requirements, species tank.

Sparkling gouramis- dnesely planted+ with floating plants, not too fussy about water params, one male with harem+ you would still have room for some bottom dwellers (e.g. khuulie loaches)

 

[dthoffsett]

Here's all you need to know about puffers: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=138472

The reason I suggested heavily planted, is that dwarf puffers can get very aggressive when sexually mature, and a heavily planted or decorated tank breaks up the sight line and, will hopefully keep them from fighting.

Shelldwellers would be a nice setup as well, many are very small, but full of personality.

 

[ruth28]

I have 1 F8 on his own and he is enertaining enough is is contsantly swimmin around and always comes to the front of the tank when i go over and they look beautiful under a light. As for the trimming i'v had mine nearly a year and never had to do it as long as you feed them right mine has half a prawn every day and then about twice a week i give him a cockle still in its shel, that keeps his beak down just fine and there cheap enough to get i just get the ones from the supermarket there cheaper and no different just check ingredients that nothing else is added and get the ones already frozen, sometimes the 'fresh' one are already defrosted. Hope this helps.