Fish And Decor

[ECCO_]

I know alot a people dont care for decorated tanks.. and I know for a fact, the fish could really care less. But I was wondering, what type of fish would go better with decor?
Im doing some reconstruction on the tank and wanted to know.

 

[Torrean]

it really depends on the decor...

The main thing to consider is the size of the ornament and the size of the holes into it. What are you wanting to get out of your decor... do you want it to look pretty or do you want the fish to interact with it.


Some fish like densly planted tanks so you'd need lot's of fake plants and lot's of hidey holes, others like wide open spaces to swim around in. It really depends on what decor your thinking of using.

 

[miriena]

If you plan on decorating your tank with fish (not the other way around, providing decorations that a particular type of fish might find useful), then consider whether or not your decorations are functional. For example, something like those divers that hold up "NO FISHING!" signs are pretty useless, except maybe for fish who like to eat algae, since just about anything in the tank accumulates algae. Caves and things of the same sort (pieces that have holes and hideouts in them) are functional. A lot of fish like hideouts, and as long as they are safe, it's up to you if you want a castle or a cave or a sunken ship, a fish indeed could not care less. If you use fake plants, keep in mind that silk is safer than plastic for fish--safer for their fins and bodies. Also, many bottom dwellers would *prefer* to have sand, not gravel, so if you have gravel, steer clear of fish like kuhli loaches, their gentle bellies like gentle substrate.

Post a picture of your tank, too! It would inspire a lot of suggestions, I think.

 

[ECCO_]

Heres the list, by the way I like your tank in your sig.

This is what Im planning to use so far.
What ya think?

And heres my tank now....

 

[xoedusk]

I think your tank will look nice if the substrate were a different color. The bright blue throws me off a bit.. but that's just me. Something that mimics that bottom of the seafloor would be great. Sand maybe?

 

[Torrean]

hmmm,

What size is your tank?

those blue gourami tend to be aggressive.

Are the holes in those decorations big enough for your gourami to fit through? if not then you may want to rethink. I stupidly put a piece of pottery I made in with some female dwarf gourami's and it had a few holes that were meant for viewing (bad idea) One of the gourami got stuck in it and I had to gently prod her out. It was very unpleasant. Needless to say the holes in the pieces I make now are all roughly the same size, to accomadate a certain size fish.

Other than that your gourami would appreciate lots of floating plants like java moss, elodea, duckweed...etc. To prevent potential aggression you need to have lots of decor like fake/live plants and the like to break up the line of sight. I hope your gourami get along well.

 

[ECCO_]

Im sorry, they are now deceased.... not ny each other, something killed them off one by one each day. This is an old pic.... And I want to have all New fish and decor...
What do you think of the decor listed?

Also, I was told to get blue cause it would show less algea and fish fecies. Also, it was the only color left. And the tank is a 29gallon, I believe but it was said to be a 30.

 

[Torrean]

well aesthetically I'm not a huge fan but to each there own right =). I'm sure the fish will enjoy that ship though. I could probably give you some recommendations if I knew the size of the holes in the ornaments. Could you give me some measurements or at the very least some reference pics...example a penny held next to the ornament.

 

[ECCO_]

The ship in my tank or the one listed?

 

[ECCO_]

Air Diver: 4inches long, 3inches wide, and 3.5inches high...

Octopus Cave: 5" x 3.5" x 3.5"

Sunken Galleon: 10"x9"

Dont know, All I know is This wall scape suctions to back of tank to create a nice hiding spot for fish. Ledges can be arranged in different ways.

 

[Torrean]

If I were stocking that tank I'd probably go for some type of gourami...I'd choose 2 female and 1 male dwarf gourami but that's personal preference...be sure to watch out for aggression when choosing species.

next i'd add a school of top dwellers. Something like danios or cardinal tetra's would be nice.

finally I would add the bottom dwellers. I'd probably choose a school of around 6 cories and a rubbernose pleco. hope this helps

 

[ECCO_]

Yeah, it helps..... As far as the decor, its not a problem..... What Im saying is it enough hiding spots?
Also, Which ship did you think theyd like, the one in the old pic or the one Im planning on using?

 

[Torrean]

I'd use both if you have enough floor space.

If not I'd use the new one. It has more of a cavity from what I can tell. You should definitly add lots of real or fake plants though.

 

[ECCO_]

There will be plants, I prefere silk plants.
Also, with the live, some fish from what I hear eat up plants....
I mean It would be a fine addition to the tank....
Also, I want to get some tetras, mainly blind cave tetras.

 

[Torrean]

gourami nibble plants but they shouldn't decimate anything. I've got elodea and java moss as well as some apongeton and a java fern and they all do just fine. They only nibble every once in a while and I fast my fish every other day.

The key to getting fish is multiple sources. Get your information from as many places as you can. Confirm it from three sources and then you can consider it probably true.