Setting up a 15 gallon as a softer water tank for seven otocinclus I already have didn't know they needed softer water. Will be mixing rain or RO water with my hard (15dgH) tapwater to make it softer, but not very soft, so looking for mid-range soft water fish. Can narrow down numbers later.
Right now the tank will definitely have seven or more otocinclus, and will be densely planted (but with swimming room for any schooling fish) and I'd like to add some crystal shrimp at some point. I think a nice school of small tetras, rasboras, or something along those lines would complete the tank, but I need ideas! have limited experience with any tetra other than neons/cardinials/black neons, and harlequin rasbora. I love the idea of a more nano species, and really like reds or blues. Cherry barbs, chili rasbora, celestial pearl danios all really appeal to me - but I know that there are so many more varieties out there that I've never heard of or considered. Ideas please! Or votes for or against the above species.
Must be a small ish species that would be fine in a 15 gallon with a decent sized school, so neons and cardinals are out. Nano type fish are what I'm thinking of, but with a slightly larger tank.
I'd like a species that feeds only from the top or mid-levels, so that otos and shrimp can eat in peace without being mobbed for their algae wafers or veggies.
Must obviously be peaceable and not harass the otocinclus, and not inclined to go after adult shrimp, although I realise most fish will eat a shrimplet if it's not well hidden. Hoping dense planting will allow for a good colony even if the odd shrimplet gets picked off.
Appreciate any thoughts!
Right now the tank will definitely have seven or more otocinclus, and will be densely planted (but with swimming room for any schooling fish) and I'd like to add some crystal shrimp at some point. I think a nice school of small tetras, rasboras, or something along those lines would complete the tank, but I need ideas! have limited experience with any tetra other than neons/cardinials/black neons, and harlequin rasbora. I love the idea of a more nano species, and really like reds or blues. Cherry barbs, chili rasbora, celestial pearl danios all really appeal to me - but I know that there are so many more varieties out there that I've never heard of or considered. Ideas please! Or votes for or against the above species.
Must be a small ish species that would be fine in a 15 gallon with a decent sized school, so neons and cardinals are out. Nano type fish are what I'm thinking of, but with a slightly larger tank.
I'd like a species that feeds only from the top or mid-levels, so that otos and shrimp can eat in peace without being mobbed for their algae wafers or veggies.
Must obviously be peaceable and not harass the otocinclus, and not inclined to go after adult shrimp, although I realise most fish will eat a shrimplet if it's not well hidden. Hoping dense planting will allow for a good colony even if the odd shrimplet gets picked off.
Appreciate any thoughts!