Inspiration Needed

[K-Holed]

Hello
 
I'm suffering from a lack of inspiration. After tidying up and reinstating a 4 foot tank (the heater broke and all fish were lost), I'm slowly restocking. 
 
The current inhabitants are
 
15x Ember tetras
2 x Apistogramma Macmasteri
 
Tank is well planted, with several pieces of bogwood, and all seems well.
 
I'm looking for some ideas for interesting tank mates, as I can't seem to settle on anything and thought someone might think of something I'd not considered.
 
Aquarium stats are as follows:
 
48x15x12
Sand substrate
Planted
Bogwood
 
pH - 7.4 (6.6 out of the tap and very soft)
Nitrate - <0.25
Nitrite - <0.01
KH - 4
Fe - <0.02
 
Thanks in advance
 
-Jimi
 

 

[Ch4rlie]

Have you considered corydoras?
 
Your soft water and sand substrate should be good for cories.
 
Lovely species these Apistogramma Macmasteri

 

[K-Holed]

I must admit, I am rather fond of corydoras adolfoi (or Corydoras duplicareus if my LFS has them in stock).
 
-Jimi

 

[Akasha72]

have you considered harlequins? I have some lovely one's that are a dark purple/blue with gold heads and gold fins. My lfs call them midnight rasboras. They are very peaceful and if you add a large group they shoal lovely. 
 

 
I'd also second the cory idea too

 

[K-Holed]

Well, I went to my LFS to look at some corydoras adolfoi. They didn't have any in stock, but they can order them in. unfortunately, they retail at £15.99 each, so for a decent shoal I'd be looking at around £100+. 
 
I've had harlequins before, and they are nice fish. However, I think I'll try and stick with SA species, as I like the idea of recreating a biotope (bar the plants which are somewhat eclectic!). 
 
Mt LFS have quite a number of fancy plecs in, retailing for circa £20-40, I think this might be a less painful investment at this time. Now it's just a matter of finding something that's both good looking and not too big!
 
-Jimi

 

[Essjay]

I'm a fan of pencilfish - they are south American so would fit with your theme. I have beckfords (golden) pencilfish which are the easiest and most common in shops. And they don't get too big to go with ember tetras.

 

[Robbo85]

how about hatchet fish? SA species and gives some interest to the top of the tank.

 

[Ch4rlie]

I'm a fan of pencilfish - they are south American so would fit with your theme. I have beckfords (golden) pencilfish which are the easiest and most common in shops. And they don't get too big to go with ember tetras.

 
Ooh, pencilfish. That's a nice choice, have fancied these for my tanks as well.

 

[RCA]

I must admit, I am rather fond of corydoras adolfoi (or Corydoras duplicareus if my LFS has them in stock).
 
-Jimi

  

Well, I went to my LFS to look at some corydoras adolfoi. They didn't have any in stock, but they can order them in. unfortunately, they retail at £15.99 each, so for a decent shoal I'd be looking at around £100+. 
 
Mt LFS have quite a number of fancy plecs in, retailing for circa £20-40, I think this might be a less painful investment at this time. Now it's just a matter of finding something that's both good looking and not too big!
 
-Jimi

  
I am blessed to have about nine of these as I was hoping they would breed. They are currently in foster care during my move and sadly I lost one that got trapped down the side of a cave, too close to the glass . Stunning, my favs.

Whereabouts are you (can you add it into your profile)? I have just sold some stunning Super Red BNs, and am growing on some more, if you are anywhere nearby and they suit?

I'm a fan of pencilfish - they are south American so would fit with your theme. I have beckfords (golden) pencilfish which are the easiest and most common in shops. And they don't get too big to go with ember tetras.

 
Ooh, pencilfish. That's a nice choice, have fancied these for my tanks as well.

I think these are great fish, I have the Beckfords and the Hockeysticks.

Take a look at Lampeyes, if you search the forums you will find some topics and more info on these delightful fish, which are often underestimated.

 

[RCA]

Pics and video on the Super Red BNs

 

[Robbo85]

 

I'm a fan of pencilfish - they are south American so would fit with your theme. I have beckfords (golden) pencilfish which are the easiest and most common in shops. And they don't get too big to go with ember tetras.

 
Ooh, pencilfish. That's a nice choice, have fancied these for my tanks as well.
 

several people have said they are a fan of pencilfish but to me they kinda seem just like tetras can you eliaborate on why you like them? im curious about SA species

 

[Essjay]

They are a bit like tetras. But:
They are not hyperactive like some tetras
They are not fin nippers like some tetras
They tend to hover in the water when not actually swimming - unlike tetras
The males 'size up' to each other in an interesting way unlike anything I've seen with the tetras I've kept.
 
It is the first two that makes me keep them, and the second two are the reasons I like them.