Suggestions For Something Bright!

[minikarter]

So I've got this 7.5 gallon (UK) tank, it's been setup for about 3 months now, and until recently housed a single male cockatoo cichlid and 5 pencil fish. Sadly, just a few days ago the Cichlid bit the dust (or gravel in this case) and I'm looking for a replacement to give the tank some colour! It's got a couple of plants, but black gravel and black background, I find it brings out the colour of anything very bright really well but I don't know what to go for!.. also this isn't overstocking is it? It's something I'm a little concerned with as it's such a small tank on mydesk. It's actually an Arcadia 35L Arc tank.

I'd like to go for a betta but I don't really want to change the filter which is a Fluval U1 which works great but I fear gives too much of a current for a happy betta!

I was considering going for maybe a Ram? Just looking for any inspiration please! Thanks in advance!!

 

[Truck]

way too small for any ram

 

[JenCliBee]

way too small for any ram

Instead of just saying it's to small for a ram why not give other suggestions, you made the effort to post just to give a negative answer so why not back it up with positive constructive help (like he/she actually asked for).

OP sorry i couldnt help you with the fish not really into cichlids but im sure someone will pop along in a while to help.


jen

 

[Truck]

well if i was on a computer and not a psp i would give a more detailed reply.

research some of the smaller apistos
it took me 10 mins to right this lol

 

[Smoothy]

Can't you turn the current down on the Fluval U1 like I can on my Fluval 3 plus for the Betta? ... or are they completely different filters all together?

 

[minikarter]

You can turn it down a little, and it may well be fine for a betta! I've heard there's a shop near me that sells lots of them sometimes.. I'm just wondering if I have many other options? Not saying there's anyting wrong with bettas!!... especially as at some point I'd love to have one but I'm thinking of a tank for himself and really going to town setting it up for him.. for now though with these pencil fish I'm wondering if there's anything else i could go with?

 

[saltynay]

Endlers livebearers males about 6 with a betta and some Red cherry shrimp and perhaps some snails with plenty of plants.

 

[bitteraspects]

way too small for any ram

Instead of just saying it's to small for a ram why not give other suggestions, you made the effort to post just to give a negative answer so why not back it up with positive constructive help (like he/she actually asked for).

OP sorry i couldnt help you with the fish not really into cichlids but im sure someone will pop along in a while to help.


jen

jen,

why post here crying about this guy not helping the OP, only to post no help yourself? that was just about the most hypocritical post possible. dont come into a thread just to trash on someone, which is exactly what you did considering you provided absolutely nothing constrictive to the thread.
next time think before you post.


to the Op:

unfortunately, with such a small tank, you dont really have room for cichlids. even the smaller species require a 24" tank due to size and bioload. this is probably the reason your cichlid didnt make it.
the only real option as far as cichlids go is "shellies". (african shell dwelling cichlids). you could look into these and see if one strikes your interest. then see if your LFS has one available. in the future, make sure to research a fish thoroughly prior to bringing it home, to make sure you meet its requirements.


heres a list of some shellies for you to look up pictures and what not:

Lamprologus caudopunctatus
Lamprologus ocellatus
Lamprologus similis
Lamprologus speciosus
Lamprologus signatus
Lepidiolamprologus boulengeri

 

[stang1]

I'd only put shell-dwellers in if you rehome the Pencilfish as they need different requirements.
As others have said, the tank is too small to add a Cichlid or "centrepiece" fish so you could try a shoal of the following:
Microrasbora kubotai
Endlers
Ember Tetra
Boraras maculata.
All colourful little fish and would be fine for that size tank.

 

[minikarter]

Ok, that's pretty much what I was expecting, thanks! I'm heavily considering the idea of a male betta.. soon as I find one I like! I know the temperament of the individual can vary, but say the betta was fine with other fish, would the pencil fish be ok with the betta? The 2 males seem to argue between themselves most of the time and with the old cockatoo dwarf they were basically oblivious.

Thanks again!

 

[funkycat]

In a tank that size, and especially if your pencil fish have nice red fins a betta would probably go after them.
Other fish you could look at are:
Badis Badis
A guppy or two
Cherry Barbs
Rasboras (the small ones such as Galaxy) - however they are also schooling.

Shelldwellers are fun =), but you'd have to revamp your tank and only 1 pair can fit in a tank of that size.

I know they aren't flash but you might also look into some ottos or pygmy cories. I find them really interesting to watch.

 

[Ficious]

way too small for any ram

Instead of just saying it's to small for a ram why not give other suggestions, you made the effort to post just to give a negative answer so why not back it up with positive constructive help (like he/she actually asked for).

OP sorry i couldnt help you with the fish not really into cichlids but im sure someone will pop along in a while to help.


jen

relax. i dont need to be worried that i might accidently offend someone on here by writing a simple reply.

you could divide the tank and have two bettas...and buy an art deco nano filter. if you dont want to buy a diff filter then put the filter so it blows towards the ground or something.

you could also do a dwarf puffer and a few ottos. i have a 5 gallon dp tank sitting on my computer desk and my lamp provides great natural looking light.




also the tank is probably overstocked with just the pencil fish in there btw