Give Me Some Idea's

[tenohfive]

I've just been given a 36 x 12 x 12 (85L/22 USG) tank by one of the forum members and am thinking about how to stock it. I've got rams, danios, corys, otos and will be adding gouramis to my 65L, and they're great - but I want something different.

I popped to my LFS to see what would catch my eye, and didn't see many that made me think, "Wow!" The only one that caught my eye were the Jewel Cichlids, which I might get away with one of - but it would have to be a species tank.

Could I get away with a small cichlid tank? Or any alternate suggestions? I'm in no hurry, I've got the time to do plenty of reading up but theres nothing screaming out at me right now - apart from some of the cichlids.

**Edit: the other thing I saw which was gorgeous was a flavour of guppy labelled as cobra guppies - they were stunning, but I've got a small tank earmarked for 2 or 3 of them.

 

[minxfishy]

If you want cichlids but not more GBR's then maybe some bolivians or keyholes. The bolivians are very much like the personalities of the German Blue but different colouring and I think they are great little fish.

Keyholes are nice, but when Ive seen them at the LFS they seem more shy but that could be more the environment they are in.

Because Ive fallen in love with cichlids I will go with some and a large shoal of tetras or maybe some cherry barbs, which have lovely colouring.

 

[tenohfive]

I'm not overly keen on Bolivian Rams, they look a bit faded for my liking. Cherry barbs sound like a possibility-undecided on the tetra's though. The only tetra's I've come across that I really get along with are Ember Tetra's, and I've got some in my betta tank. Tiny but mighty little fish.

 

[MermaidMel]

You could try breeding galaxy rasboras?

 

[tenohfive]

Hmmm...that is a bit different. I'm going to look into that.

 

[MermaidMel]

Hmmm...that is a bit different. I'm going to look into that.

They are so beautiful and they can earn you a pretty penny too as they are very endangered apparently, if u plant it up good they will reward you well. Keep temps fairly low for breeding purposes. Around 21/22.

 

[Davo86]

How about going for something totally different?

I'm started to get an interest in Tanginikan cichlids so maybe one of these may work although i'm not 100% sure

a pair of lamprologus lelupi would look really good IMO
or a pair of Altolamprologus Calvus

or a pair of Central american Rainbow Cichlids?

 

[tenohfive]

I do like the look of galaxies, and its tempting to turn my hand to breeding. The downside would be that I'd be restricted to the one species, although I may get away with a few other small fish - cardinals or something I'm guessing.

Its an option, I might try and find somewhere locally that sells them so I can have a proper look at them.

 

[MermaidMel]

I do like the look of galaxies, and its tempting to turn my hand to breeding. The downside would be that I'd be restricted to the one species, although I may get away with a few other small fish - cardinals or something I'm guessing.

Its an option, I might try and find somewhere locally that sells them so I can have a proper look at them.

Tis true about the restriction. What is the gallonage of this tank?

OK forget that question its 22 gallons gonna have a think about this one

Ooh what about a selection of apistogramma? They are so damn cute.

 

[tenohfive]

Some of the apisto's are lovely. I do like the look of Rainbow cichlids - I wonder what would work as tank mates with them?

 

[MermaidMel]

Some of the apisto's are lovely. I do like the look of Rainbow cichlids - I wonder what would work as tank mates with them?

I personally wouldn't have rainbow cichlids in a 22gal as they can reach 3-5" and would need 40-50gal

If you had apistos you could have a real mixture, my faves atm are umbrella but there are loads, u could have about 5 pairs

 

[tenohfive]

Having had a look round my LFS today theres nowhere round here that seems to sell that many apisto's - I think theres only the one flavour (and not one of the particularly interesting ones) in my LFS.

I don't know if its just me being picky or grouchy through lack of sleep, but it seems like theres sod all worth getting.

**Edit, ignore that - it is just me being a grumpy so and so, I'd just woken up.

Having looked on the species index, it mentions that I could get away with Rainbow Sharks in a 36" tank. Does that ring true, and what sort of numbers? And do they shoal and move about in a similar way to Bala/Silver Sharks?

 

[MermaidMel]

Having had a look round my LFS today theres nowhere round here that seems to sell that many apisto's - I think theres only the one flavour (and not one of the particularly interesting ones) in my LFS.

I don't know if its just me being picky or grouchy through lack of sleep, but it seems like theres sod all worth getting.

**Edit, ignore that - it is just me being a grumpy so and so, I'd just woken up.

Having looked on the species index, it mentions that I could get away with Rainbow Sharks in a 36" tank. Does that ring true, and what sort of numbers? And do they shoal and move about in a similar way to Bala/Silver Sharks?

Have a look on Ebay, there's a fabbie selection of apistos on there right now, what is your LFS is it Wildwoods?

 

[quaver]

I'm with mermaid on this. galaxy rasboras are fab. Have bred them before

 

[tenohfive]

Having had a look round my LFS today theres nowhere round here that seems to sell that many apisto's - I think theres only the one flavour (and not one of the particularly interesting ones) in my LFS.

I don't know if its just me being picky or grouchy through lack of sleep, but it seems like theres sod all worth getting.

**Edit, ignore that - it is just me being a grumpy so and so, I'd just woken up.

Having looked on the species index, it mentions that I could get away with Rainbow Sharks in a 36" tank. Does that ring true, and what sort of numbers? And do they shoal and move about in a similar way to Bala/Silver Sharks?

Have a look on Ebay, there's a fabbie selection of apistos on there right now, what is your LFS is it Wildwoods?

No its MA, I might pop down to Wildwoods to have a look tomorrow - they aren't too far away.


Just had a look on ebay, Apistogramma cacatuoides is a stunning fish.