I Want More Fish

[ace61502]

Current setup is 75 gallons, partially planted, working on more plants. Weekly testing is 0/0/5. I know my bioload will go up as my loaches grow, but I also plan to get the 38 gallon tank back up and running and move my platies and danios back into it at some point. Probably not in the next year (unless something changes, aka my brother gets a JOB) but before the loaches get very big (about 4-5" now).

Current occupants are

6 clown loaches
12 zebra danio (4 reg, 8 Glo)
5 adult platies and 2 babies that graduated from the nursery
3 emerald cory cats

I had planned to move the Glofish back into their old 10g tank, but have been too lazy to get the new filter cycled. Plus, it's more fun to watch one tank with a lot of fish in it. LOL

I was thinking hatchetfish, but I have no lid and no intention of getting one, so they are out. I want something mid-upper level. And I want color. Something other than red/orange (would LOVE blue, but seems they are few and far between in freshwater). I've thought about angel fish. I've considered Discus, but that would require bro getting that job. I would prefer something that will get larger instead of more 2-3" adult sized fish.

What would you recommend that is easy to find or can be found online from a reputable source?

 

[ace61502]

*gasp* I think I found my perfect new addition.... Lake Kutubu Rainbowfish. Blue, 5", peaceful, mid-top swimmer, compatible with all of my current babies.... Now to find them.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

My LFS have them in all the time lol, try speaking to your LFS. If they don't have them, maybe they can order them in. They are really beautiful fish

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I would say that it would also be best to increase your emerald cory numbers as well.

 

[ace61502]

I would say that it would also be best to increase your emerald cory numbers as well.

Yea, that's probably a good idea. I think I'll pick up 3 more of them today, and start my search for some rainbows to add over the next week or two. If I find them all today, given my very light bioload at the moment, would it be too much to add 9 small fish at once?

Will different varieties of rainbows school together? That axelrod rainbow is pretty, too!

 

[STEWARDSONS]

how about blue dwarf gouramis?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I would say that it would also be best to increase your emerald cory numbers as well.

Yea, that's probably a good idea. I think I'll pick up 3 more of them today, and start my search for some rainbows to add over the next week or two. If I find them all today, given my very light bioload at the moment, would it be too much to add 9 small fish at once?

Will different varieties of rainbows school together? That axelrod rainbow is pretty, too!

As long as your new stock is no more than 50% of your current stock, you should be safe. (Always keep an eye on your ammonia/nitrite when adding new stock.) The lower the percentage the better off. If I were you, I would just scope out the rainbows today, and research them a little more. I don't know if they will shoal together or not. I've never kept them, but I am seriously considering adding a shoal in about a month and a half or so. I would just get the corys for now. Let them settle in, and then look to add the rainbows in about a week.

 

[ace61502]

Did more searching on rainbow fish schooling and it seems that they will... and they won't. LOL They will all swim together some, but they also split off into their own groups at times, so numbers of each type are still important. Some people say they are a hard core schooling fish like tetras, but others say they are lesser schoolers, more like danios (mine, however, NEVER school).

Well, I went to several LFSs and no one had the rainbow fish I was looking for. I didn't care for any of the ones they had, and no one had 5 or 6 of any kind, so I went in a different direction. Angelfish. Got 4 marble and 2 platinum. I've decided in Feb/March (aka tax season) I'll get another tank stand and get the 38 back up and running. Then I'll move the cories, danios and platies back over there. Then I'll find some rainbows to take their place in the 75.

Got 3 more cories and they are so cute! They are about half the size of my first 3 and watching them try to keep up is hilarious. The 6 of them are dancing (like clown loaches dance, didn't know cories would do it, too!) and will split up, then come back together to dance some more. My 3 would often swim up and down the sides of the tank around this time in the evening, but nothing like this.

Happy!!

When my 4 year old got home from daddy's tonight he noticed the angels within minutes and loves them. Got into fishkeeping for him (but it became MY obsession LOL), so that was a plus.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

More cories always makes things better!

Congrats on the angels as well.