So many fish....oh so many

[IHaveANewHobby:)]

Ok. I need some advice on what type of community fish would be good for my tank.

My Ph is around 7.0-7.4
My Temp is around 78 F
My size is 25 Gallons.

I would like very peacful fish, with alot of color. I was also looking into dwarf plecos any Ideas?


Oh and if anyone knows of a good LFS in St. Louis, Missouri please let me know!!

Thanks again all!

 

[Dman]

Hmmm a 25 gallon tank, have u tryed looking at sme loaches???
if u do i recomend YOYO loachs B)



Damien

 

[IHaveANewHobby:)]

Ok I will look into them right now. Any other suggestions all? I am particularly looking at what type of Alge eater to get as well!

 

[IHaveANewHobby:)]

"A Yoyo Loach is an escape artist so the aquarium must have a cover without escape holes, or this Loach will jump out for sure."

Is this true?

 

[Alien Anna]

Ok I will look into them right now. Any other suggestions all? I am particularly looking at what type of Alge eater to get as well!

I'll tell you what type of algae eater not to get: on no account get a Chinese Algae Eater or CAE, as they are enormous (11" at adulthood), very territorial and generally give up eating algae at adulthood, in favour if fish's eyeballs etc. But shops sell them to newbies all the time promising them they'll eat algae (which they do as babies).

CAEs are also sold as "Chinese Sucking Loaches" (they aren't Chinese and they aren't loaches), "Golden Loaches" (that's the golden form of the CAE), "Golden Algae Eaters" and even Siamese Algae Eaters (which is an entirely different species and doesn't even have a sucker mouth like a CAE, but it doesn't stop the idiots).

So: Beware the CAEs!

 

[Kossy]

Yes I don't understand why lfs stores don't just say this straight out. I find this quite 'scummy' so to speak just to sell fish to unexpected newbies. grrrr

 

[Moe]

Bristle nose catfish are great algae eaters and stay small 4in. I have an albino he is so ugly he is cute! I like guppies for peaceful colorful fish or cardinal tetras. I have a gourami he is very colorful but not that active he has a territory in the back of the tank and doesn't leave it. A pair of Krib would be nice.

 

[IHaveANewHobby:)]

Thanks Guys! I will keep looking and doing some research! Any more suggestions would be good!

 

[wuvmybetta]

very territorial and generally give up eating algae at adulthood, in favour if fish's eyeballs etc.

memo to self....never ever buy a cae

 

[Wildfire]

I found these combinations on another post and thaught you might want to look at the combinations. They have some nice fish and good ideas to choose from:

Group #1. Neon Tetras, Glowlight Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras, White Clouds, Fancy Guppies, Corydoras Catfish, Glass Fish, Honey Gouramis, and Ghost Shrimp. These fish are compatible and a few of them will do well in a 15-gallon aquarium with warm water.

Group #2. Danios, Swordtails, Mollies, and Platies, plus Bigger Tetras such as Black Skirt Tetras, Painted Tetras, Serpae Tetras, Red Eye Tetras, Black Neon Tetras, and Silver Tip Tetras. A few of these fish will do well in a 15-gallon aquarium with warm water.

Group #3. Barbs, Gouramis, Sharks, Eels, and Loaches. Tiger Barbs and Tinfoil Barbs, plus Blue, Gold, and Opaline Gouramis, plus Bala Sharks, Red Tail Sharks, Rainbow Sharks, and White Tip Sharks. These fish are mildly aggressive and compatible with each other. They will grow fast and need at least a 29-gallon aquarium with warm water. Eventually they will need a much bigger aquarium.

Hope this helps you choose your fish. Group 3 are a little more aggressive. I know you are looking at some more peacefull fish but I thaught I would add it anyways... Have fun picking your fish!

 

[sharkbait]

Hi,
I'm a newbie like yourself,
The question to ask is how big will it grow and how quick. The answer of course also depends on whether the person you are talking to knows fish or is doing a saturday job (beware spotty kids in large warehouses)
otherwise those pretty little sharkcats will soon eat all your tetras and your tank will burst at the seams.
If your going to get a Gourami there are some very pretty dwarf varieties. (mine is called Ralph.)

 

[guppymonkey]

If your going to get a Gourami there are some very pretty dwarf varieties. (mine is called Ralph.)

Hmmmm..... Is that a species name?

 

[IHaveANewHobby:)]

Thank you all so much!! I will definatly look into those.