New aquarium! Would like your expertise/advice!

[Buglet]

We just purchased our first large (large for us, anyway) aquarium!! It is a 46 US gallon AGA bowfront. We got the tank, stand, and hood (all new) for $220, which was a great deal (we priced it online and it would have cost us at least $150 more, without shipping).

Now the question is....what to put in it!! The leading contenders are:

1) Tropical community
2) Coldwater (fancy goldfish like Ryukins)
3) Cichlids

I'm thinking the cichlids aren't the best choice because ultimately the tank will be too small, so really we are torn between coldwater and tropical community.

Opinions welcome on the pros and cons of those choices.....

Also, we have never put together a tropical community, but I do know which fish I like. What I don't know is if they will be able to go together....so I would also appreciate comments on the suitability/compatibility of the following fish for our (potential) community:

1)Killifish
2)Clown loaches
3)Gobies (are these all brackish?)
4)Flying foxes
5)Cardinal tetras
6)Rosy barbs
7)Skirted tetras
8)Other loaches--khuli, pakistani
9)Assorted cories

I don't know how many of each we could have, yet, or even if these are all compatible. Obviously I will need to be pay close attention and not overstock. Right now I'm just trying to figure out who will get along with who

THANKS!!

 

[bunjiweb]

46 Gallons is plenty big enough for a cichlid community, You just have to choose carefully and do lots of planning. It depends if you want a specific type of cichlids or just like cichlids in general.

You can still set it up as a community tank and add rams, kribensis and other dwarf cichlids.

If I were you I wouldnt go for golfish unless you really like them. You cant put anywhere near as much in a tank, and it limits you alot more to what you can add.


So, i'd go for a community tank.

3 or 4 clown loaches,

3-6 corys (depending what type)

a nice school of tetra or barbs,

Some Killie fish.

This would make a very nice community tank.

Just remember not to overstock it with clown loaches as they grow quite big.

Ben

 

[Link]

I agree with Bunjiweb

 

[Buglet]

Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it!

 

[bunjiweb]

No problem!

We awate the finished result, however it turns out! Just dont be afraid to ask plenty of questions along the way as its better to research and question and get it right than to rush into it or just hope for the best.

Ben

 

[David]

Wow what a coincidence. I recently bought a 46 gallon bowfront as well. It has been cycling for over a week and currently contains: 1 betta, 3 platies, and 2 clown loaches. The end result will be 4 clown loaches, 3 discus and 2 angels. I think it's a pretty good setup. (The betta will be moving to my 5 gallon, and the platies into my 10).

 

[FishDan]

I like the above suggestions, with possible exception of the clown loaches. These can grow up to 14" and I don't think a 46 gallon tank will be large enough. Unless you plan on upgrading down the road (how soon depends on how quickly your particular loaches grow) then I'd avoid them. They are wonderful looking fish, and I'd love some. However as my tanks are both far too small, I am waiting on my future 120 gallon tank before I get some of these guys.

\Dan

 

[Wisperian]

I dont think its gonna be that good cuz goldies are coldwater n cichlids are tropical

 

[David]

I like the above suggestions, with possible exception of the clown loaches. These can grow up to 14" and I don't think a 46 gallon tank will be large enough. Unless you plan on upgrading down the road (how soon depends on how quickly your particular loaches grow) then I'd avoid them. They are wonderful looking fish, and I'd love some. However as my tanks are both far too small, I am waiting on my future 120 gallon tank before I get some of these guys.

\Dan

I respectfully disagree. A clown loach reaches a maximum size of up to 12" in the wild, not 14. And in captivity, this total is usually much less. In fact, the biggest clown loach I've ever seen in aquarium surroundings was about 6-7 inches, and that was an 120 gallon tank. Besides they grow awfully slowly, giving you tons of time to consider their future.

 

[den]

With all respect to the previous posters ( and they are good),..if it's your 1st tank, there's nothing wrong with fancy goldfish! They are every bit as wonderful as the others, sturdy as hell - (you can make many water mistakes with them that you couldn't with tropicals), and they look very pretty swimmimg through you tank. Just make sure you learn what you're doing.

I guess the only drawback is, you shouldn't mix the two and Goldfish will live for quite a long time. So, if you get bored after a year or two,..you're "stuck". But this is countered with the constant re-building of your 'fish stock experience', in that you'll probably learn a lesson or two the 'hard way'. "That's a pretty Dwarf Gourami for only $4.99 - and that pretty, large Anglefish...."

Bottom line, appreciate the fish for what they are (living creatures), and find for yourself, what makes you (and more importantly..them) happy.

Can never go wrong with fancy goldfish for starters! As well, realize that 'patience' is Soooo important. If you can be patient with fancies, you may be patient with "cories", but for how long? (Big mistake for beginners, my own experience) is that they forget the "I am here for them" aspect, as to the "they are here to entertain me" - and by the way,..I'm bored and need something new" aspect.

Welcome to the "should or shouldn't I" world of keeping our fish!!

Go for what YOU feel you will cherish, research, respect, and live with, for at least a couple of years, and for what reason?



Then welcome to what we all bicker about on this forum!!! It's another life.

G'Luck either way!

 

[David]

Very informative and insightful post Den. Well thought out, I commend you. Can't go wrong with advice like that, and BTW I totally agree with you.

 

[plecoguy]

David...your cycling with clown loaches

 

[Spyderdf]

Sems like so many disagree ments about clown loaches in eveyr forum i go to.


Go with tropical community

 

[den]

No..No.!
Clown loaches are geat!! Everybody go buy some tomorrow!

But...your 1st tank!!! How about a nice intorduction to the beautiful world that "Clown Loaches" could enjoy? As opposed to "I got some clown loaches, and some Lobsters, and some Neons, and some really, really big Angelfish.."

2 years into the future:
Clown Loaches: "Well Captain Loach...the evil Spyderf and his evil counterpart. Mr. Plecoguy gave "questionable advice" to a young aquaritarist, that gave life to our breed. It is good that we were then capable of taking over the world!

I mean....C'mon...for the sake of humanity!!!




OK...must have another beer.
Love you all. G'Nite.
-den

 

[den]

Uhh..I thinks you guys were talking amoung yourselves,...
Ignore this..tee hee...