More Fish - Ideas?

[justjon]

Hi all,

Does anyone have any ideas what fish I could add to my setup? I love colourful fish, and active ones, preferably ones that'll swim about the whole tank and like to be seen (like platy's do).

And also how much more could I fit in? So a fish list that'll fully stock my tank would be appreciated.

See my sig for details of stock and setup.

- Edit, just to add - i'll be switching to sand soon.

 

[BethK]

I would say you are better off getting a bottom to mid dweller. Also, added another hatchet to add 1 more, shoaling fish and they need a min of 4.

For the bottom, you could get 3 apistogrammas, 1 male, 2 females. The are bottom dwellers but do hit the middle level.

apistogramma agassizi or cacatuoides, double red. Or, how about a pair of german blue rams?

What is your pH level?

 

[justjon]

I would say you are better off getting a bottom to mid dweller. Also, added another hatchet to add 1 more, shoaling fish and they need a min of 4.

For the bottom, you could get 3 apistogrammas, 1 male, 2 females. The are bottom dwellers but do hit the middle level.

apistogramma agassizi or cacatuoides, double red. Or, how about a pair of german blue rams?

What is your pH level?

Hi Beth,

Thanks - I like the look of German Blue Rams, I am quite restricted fish wise from my LFS, does anywhere sell online? - I could ask if they could get some in I guess.

I'm away from the house atm, so i'll get a PH level for you this evening wont be till around 10pm though!

Would two German Blues be a full stock?

Noted on the hatchets, I did intend to get more, one of them though i'm not fully convinced is actually a Silver Hatchet as he's a bit darker... the shop hasn't got them in again since I got them.

 

[elisew]

Hi justjon

I`d agree with BethK, the Apistos are great bottom dwellers as are the Rams also, I have 5 Apistos in all and 2 pairs of the german blue rams.

There`s a really good seller on ebay who sells Apistos and GBR`s. I had lots of trouble finding female Rams, most breeders keep hold of them because they don`t want others to breed them and there`s hardly any females in the shops.
Maidenhead Aquatics are now ordering stock in for the 'new season' so you may find some Rams at your local store.

I contacted the seller on ebay directly and he sold me 2 lovely little females to go with my males. I know the P&P can whack up the price but if you want them bad enough then the P&P is worth it. I paid £15.00 inc P&P for my females.

If you want to have a look his username is ste12000, just do an advance search for seller and you`ll find him. He`s a friendly chap and will do what he can to help you out

 

[justjon]

Thanks Elise I'll look him up now

Would 2 rams and 2-3 apisto's overstock my tank? I love the look of the Cacatuoides Double Red also but am very weary of overstocking

 

[elisew]

I would say one or the other to start with. Others will be able to give you much better advice on stocking than me though.

Apistos and Rams are 'Dwarfs' who will take space at the bottom level of the tank and as long as you don`t get both at the same time you should be ok.

I do have both in my tank temporarily but I`m upgrading to a 360ltr tank that`s double the size of my current one.

 

[justjon]

Great, thanks I've messaged him.

Strange, a stock calculator seems to think i'm at 103% stock limit currently (With stock in my signature). Guess I shouldn't trust it!

 

[justjon]

Hi guys ive spotter some apisto borelli would adding 2 of these be ok? Quick reply appreciated as at fish store now

 

[BadBadger]

Definately some type of dwarf cichlid. Cant see any problem with Apisto borelli depending on your PH. You might have already bought them by now? If not, have a look at Nigerian Red Kribensis. There gorgeous!

 

[justjon]

Unfortunately they were out of stock... But probable for the best as I am switching to sand so perhap should do that first !

 

[BethK]

Ste, on ebay is a good breeder btw got my apistos from him. Just not from ebay but else where

You won't be overstocking, with 3 apistos and 2 rams.

Start with the apistos first, let them establish their areas, then add gbr's IMO.

 

[justjon]

Ahh that's great news Thanks beth.

I like your little guys in your tank too =)

I'm going to get the sand tommorow and re-design the tank layout, it's going to be fun getting all the fish into a bucket and then back... atleast a bit easier with my external filter now.

Should I switch the filter off before putting sand into the tank, then let it settle?

Really looking forward to getting some new fish in soon, I may have to take one platy back due to bullying (He's in the hospital tank atm).

 

[BethK]

Thanks

put the sand in, then put a dinner plate ontop, when filling up with water, aim it for the center of that plate. Once you have filled up with water, remove the plate and turn the filter on.


Silly me, didn't see your gourmais


Try one of the dwarf cichlids first, pref the apistogrammas. They will usually come to you from a breeder, as a small size. I've never kept gouramis but my bettas are fine with my apistos.

Once the apistos are settled, try adding the rams............but ensure you keep ontop of weekly water changes

 

[justjon]

Ah, no problem!

Can I keep the current water in the tank when putting sand in? I've got a 25L container but would rather keep as much water as possible from the tank when doing it. I'll put all the fish in my 20L hospital tank that's filtered and heated, as hopefully wont take more than an hour.

 

[BethK]

Yeah, you can but you will need to let the sand settle