Looking For A New Centre Piece Fish

[mattlee]

after my discus have gone this weekend i will be looking for some new fish to add to my tank and am looking for some options from you guys......
the tank is a 4ft 240L fluval with filtration provided by a rena xp3 and a fluval fx5 and has the following fish in it-
9 Rummynose tetras
14 Cardinal tetras
3 Polkadot loaches
3 Silver dollars
4 Ottos
1 SAE
the tank is currently very planted with sand substrate and bogwood. i would like to add some of my corys and maybe remove the loaches so the temp will have to be no higher than 26 degrees as i dont want my corys at higher temps.
at the minute im leaning towards a group of 5/6 denisonii barbs but i know they prefer cooler temps which leaves me an issue with the cardinals and rummynose tetras as they prefer it hotter and have been kept at 30 degrees with my discus. obviously i will reduce the tanks temp very slowly as to not shock the fish.

im really just looking for you lot to chuck any ideas at me incase ive missed anything in my research....... which is very possible! nothing that requires as much care as the discus did as im not going to have as much time on my hands soon as our new baby is imminent this is the reason for adding some of my corys in the tank too as i want to close a tank down to free up some time

 

[Wills]

Just a thought but if the Rummynose are going to dictate a fair bit of what can be added, are they worth it with all the other stuff going on. Just thinking in your circumstances I would rather have a bit of a chuck it in tank rather than compromises and planning?

Is it a sand substrate? If so you could try some of the smaller geos and or relatives. Not sure where you are but I saw some really nice Geophagus Improgensis (spelling) in Sheffield the other day they are like a mini Brasiliensis getting to about 4 inches. Or you could try a group of Cupid Cichlids with some Festivums?

Denison barbs would be cool as well though Maybe 5 of them and up your dollars to 5 as well? Or a smaller red/silver barb is the odessa barb kind of half way between a tiger and a denison barb.

Wills

 

[mattlee]

Hi Wills,

if the rummy nose tetras do become an issue then i dont mind swapping them for something different. i think you have thought along my lines with a "chuck it in tank" i like that use of words....
yeah something easy to care for, i will of course be doing my weekly water changes and tank maintenance as usual but im looking for less and smaller water changes and easy to feed fish in a planted tank which the discus were not.
ive never had a Geophagus and ill look into them mate. im in Leicestershire and have a few good lfs nearby. are they quite peacefull fish? will they live with the tetras/smaller fish etc?

 

[Wills]

Ive not kept the Imps before but I believe they should be okay, the cupids would be fine in there. The other geo you could try is Geophagus sp.Pindare very small growing with a large one at 6 inches and they look practically the same as the larger altifrons etc, but its down to markings to determine which they are as juvis.

Wills

 

[mattlee]

ill look into them, thanks

this is what i was thinking of -

9 Rummynose tetras
14 Cardinal tetras
4 Ottos
1 SAE
4 or 5 Silver dollars
6 Torpedo barbs
10 Corys

so removing the loaches and upping the silver dollars to 4 or 5, adding some corys and torpedo barbs. i think if i drop the temp to about 25/26 degrees then all these species should be happy it does seems like a lot of fish looking at it but most are small ie the tetras and ottos. the tank does have massive filtration though so should be fine

any other ideas/comments on stocking or fish selection are welcome.....

 

[meguro]

why are u removing the loaches? i wouldnt advise large-ish cichlids in a planted tank, especially earth-eaters as they will uproot ur plants in time. festivum cichlids also like to devour plants. rummynose and cardinal tetras should have no issues with tempertures as low as 24C.

have a look at this tank (not mine, it was posted a while back in members section) for ideas http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr66AH4RmNk

he has quite a number of the fish u mention in a planted tank. c. siamensis, rummys, denisonii, botia etc.

 

[mattlee]

thats a nice tank but very busy....

the reason in removing the loaches is to give the corys a better chance of feeding. i had corys in with the loaches before and they got most of the sunken food first.

 

[arobinson1984]

Hi matt, how big are your silver dollars? You not worried about your tetras becoming lunch?


Andy

 

[mattlee]

Hi matt, how big are your silver dollars? You not worried about your tetras becoming lunch?


Andy

Hi Andy,

the silver dollars are only about 2.5 inch max at the minute, i dont think they will go for the tetras as they are vegetarians. saying that though mine have eaten bloodworm....
also the tank is very well planted. my tetras have survived 6 inch discus so im sure they will be ok with the dollars.

Matt.

 

[arobinson1984]

Hope your right matt.

You're right on them being vegetarians but I have read on other forums of members having full shoals of tetras eaten by silver dollars so just checking you were aware


What sort of fish you thinking of for centrepiece? Was going to suggest a sev but the tetras would defo be lunch


Andy

 

[mattlee]

well they are way too small to eat the tetras at the minute so im safe for now but ill keep an eye on them when they get a bit bigger, thanks for the warning ive not heard of them eating other fish before......

still unsure as what to do for a centrepiece fish, i cant make my mind up! and to be honest with this list of fish im not sure that there will be too much room left. im still not 100% about the barbs yet but i really like the look of a group of them.....

9 Rummynose tetras
14 Cardinal tetras
4 Ottos
1 SAE
4 or 5 Silver dollars
6 Torpedo barbs
10 Corys

ive always fancied a red spotted sev but like you say the tetras will be eaten. i also like the Geophagus mentioned earlier but my tank is planted so not ideal for it or the tank....
im in no rush as the discus are going tomorrow and i still have to cool the tank down slowly and jig a few fish around from tank to tank until im happy.

 

[walkers101]

get geo's mate they are great to watch gives you another reason to give me the plants and loaches

 

[mattlee]

just been to several lfs to have a look round..... as if!!!!!!

and ive come home with 3 more silver dollars and 3 denisoni barbs.... so much for looking

so stocking as is -

9 Rummynose tetras
14 Cardinal tetras
4 Ottos
1 SAE
6 Silver dollars
3 Torpedo barbs
3 Polkadot loach

im going to add some corys and 3 more barbs. would you say i was full after this?

 

[mattlee]

any opinions......

 

[walkers101]

i know its not really a break from the norm mate but what about a few gourami nice and colorful wont break the bank and wont overstock your tank