When we get additional plumbing in the basement, I will be getting another tank. Since it is a basement (concrete floor) size isn't really an issue. Upfront cost of course, will be a factor, but I am imagining anything from 75 gallons to over 200 gallons, depending on what fish I end up wanting. One large tank with several species is an option, as is two or more smaller tanks with only one or two species.
My tap water is soft, so I need fish that can be happy with what I have. I also have a heavy preference for low-maintenance planted tanks, as that's already what I have and what I'm used to.
Fish that I have considered are:
Clown loaches: These are SO cute and I fell in love with NickAu's video of his clown loaches. I know they need lots of space though, so if I go with these guys, it would be in a large, community tank. Is there anything I should know that isn't always discussed on most websites? Any fish that make particularly good or bad roomates with clown loaches?
Discus: These are beautiful fish and I have very soft water (which I've read they like). If I got these, it would probably be as a two 75 gallon or so option. I believe these do best in a species-only tank. If I am wrong, please correct me. I understand they have very particular requirements and are very sensitive to change in water quality, temperature, etc. Cost is a consideration with keeping this type of fish. In my area, I have recently seen discus on sale for between $30 - $120 (to compare, most "regular" fish are between $2 - 8 in my area). Even at $30 each, that is not cheap. Especially when you consider that they should be in larger groups (ka-ching). Also, I rarely see more than 4 in any given store at one time, so I couldn't get a whole group together. My concern with this is that because they are (from what I've read) so difficult to transfer, a quarantine time in a separate tank seems unwise because that is just adding yet another transfer. But, if you don't quarantine, then how do you know you aren't introducing 3 new sick fish into your already healthy 4 fish? Again, even at $30, that is a lot of money to lose on top of the already sad fact of losing the poor little fish? So, if anyone has any advice here, I would love to hear it. Another thing I thought about with discus is that in the stores they look extremely shy. I already have an extremely beautiful but shy fish species that I barely get to see because it hides when it sees people. I would hate to get a tank full of hiders.
Angelfish: Another species-only tank option due to their aggression.
Oscars: Although I adore their grumpy faces, this one is probably just going to stay in the "pondering" category because of their proclivity towards eating plants. If I did get one, I understand it would need a very large tank (+100 gallons) and are better as single fish. Although I did read that a group of silver dollars can be kept with them, which makes this a more appealing option to me. I would be interested in hearing if anyone has tried this combination.
Diamond tetras: I have read that when properly housed, these fish are quite lovely. I saw some in a store though and they were very aggressive towards each other, so I'm not sure about how these will actually do. Would they need to be in a species-only tank? If they can mix with others, what type of fish would be a good match?
I've also thought about putting a ton of little tiny fish (like neons, cardinals, microdevario kubotai, etc.) in a great big, heavily planted tank. Microdevario kubotai are scare though (and pricey when they do show up), so probably not them.
What would you do? What kind of fish, what kind of tank? What fish should I consider? Options are wide open and opinions are greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
My tap water is soft, so I need fish that can be happy with what I have. I also have a heavy preference for low-maintenance planted tanks, as that's already what I have and what I'm used to.
Fish that I have considered are:
Clown loaches: These are SO cute and I fell in love with NickAu's video of his clown loaches. I know they need lots of space though, so if I go with these guys, it would be in a large, community tank. Is there anything I should know that isn't always discussed on most websites? Any fish that make particularly good or bad roomates with clown loaches?
Discus: These are beautiful fish and I have very soft water (which I've read they like). If I got these, it would probably be as a two 75 gallon or so option. I believe these do best in a species-only tank. If I am wrong, please correct me. I understand they have very particular requirements and are very sensitive to change in water quality, temperature, etc. Cost is a consideration with keeping this type of fish. In my area, I have recently seen discus on sale for between $30 - $120 (to compare, most "regular" fish are between $2 - 8 in my area). Even at $30 each, that is not cheap. Especially when you consider that they should be in larger groups (ka-ching). Also, I rarely see more than 4 in any given store at one time, so I couldn't get a whole group together. My concern with this is that because they are (from what I've read) so difficult to transfer, a quarantine time in a separate tank seems unwise because that is just adding yet another transfer. But, if you don't quarantine, then how do you know you aren't introducing 3 new sick fish into your already healthy 4 fish? Again, even at $30, that is a lot of money to lose on top of the already sad fact of losing the poor little fish? So, if anyone has any advice here, I would love to hear it. Another thing I thought about with discus is that in the stores they look extremely shy. I already have an extremely beautiful but shy fish species that I barely get to see because it hides when it sees people. I would hate to get a tank full of hiders.
Angelfish: Another species-only tank option due to their aggression.
Oscars: Although I adore their grumpy faces, this one is probably just going to stay in the "pondering" category because of their proclivity towards eating plants. If I did get one, I understand it would need a very large tank (+100 gallons) and are better as single fish. Although I did read that a group of silver dollars can be kept with them, which makes this a more appealing option to me. I would be interested in hearing if anyone has tried this combination.
Diamond tetras: I have read that when properly housed, these fish are quite lovely. I saw some in a store though and they were very aggressive towards each other, so I'm not sure about how these will actually do. Would they need to be in a species-only tank? If they can mix with others, what type of fish would be a good match?
I've also thought about putting a ton of little tiny fish (like neons, cardinals, microdevario kubotai, etc.) in a great big, heavily planted tank. Microdevario kubotai are scare though (and pricey when they do show up), so probably not them.
What would you do? What kind of fish, what kind of tank? What fish should I consider? Options are wide open and opinions are greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
I had never considered a riparium. Hmmm! More to think about.
