Tankmate Ideas Please

twodoctors · May 1, 2011

Right, now that my AR620 is fully stocked, my attention is now turned to the AR980. As you can see I have 6 boesemani and 1 firemouth in there at the moment, with the liver cat and pleco. The liver cat will go (hopefully soon). I considered getting an angelfish with 1 or pair of gouramis, but am worried about them fighting between them or with the firemouth. Also worried that the angelfish too slow to compete for food with the rainbowfishes. Thought about getting another group of rainbowfish, but worry about cross breeding. Maybe another school of fish but not sure which to go for, and also the size they sell in the shop it will probably get eaten by my liver cat or firemouth (2.5"). Thought about a pair of Kribs but worrying about fighting with the firemouth. Thought about killifish but I think my pH is too high (pH 7.8, dH 9). Not going to consider another firemouth as I only just returned one which turned out to be another male, and ended up with a lot of bullying. Wouldn't mind another cichlid but really can do without the fighting.

I'm out of ideas. As I said my pH is 7.8 and water medium hard. What would you add?

Adrian

minnnt · May 2, 2011

LOL!! Your brain must be aching like mad!! :rofl:

If i had the current stocking you have then i would go for a group of Rasbora's of some sort, maybe Harlequins. Also maybe consider Cherry Barbs or Checkered Barbs. You could add a group of Panda Corys (or others) as scavengers and maybe if you could rehome the liver catfish then you could add some nice bulldog or pitbull plecs. (3 or 4)

As for rainbows, i don't know mate, the Praecox are stunning, unsure of cross breeding though, i'm not sure.

Just a couple more spanners in the works mate.

twodoctors · May 2, 2011

Well the rasbora will get eaten by the liver cat I reckon, being 5". Planning on some skunk corys already as they are the next cheapest after bronze and peppered. I considered the cherry barbs for my smaller tank but went for Odessa and golden at the end. will look at checked barbs. spanners get a bit big I think.

Still prefer another one or two bigger fish to complete the setup. any other ideas?

Adrian

minnnt · May 2, 2011

Well I think you should leave the firemouth as the boss, so possibly a single rainbow, single keyhole or a single red breasted acara? Single Honduran red point female? Single jade eye? (I've got one if you want one, about 2" at the mo) who knows mate, I guess the list is endless.

twodoctors · May 2, 2011

My worry is that the Firemouth will chase away similar shaped cichlids. That's partly why I'm considering angelfish and gourami. Not sure If I would get away with a krib pair. Or keyhole pair. Or Bolivian RAM pair. I guess it's trial and error and also finding a good LFS who will take them back even after a period of time has elapsed.

Adrian

minnnt · May 2, 2011

twodoctors said:
My worry is that the Firemouth will chase away similar shaped cichlids. That's partly why I'm considering angelfish and gourami. Not sure If I would get away with a krib pair. Or keyhole pair. Or Bolivian RAM pair. I guess it's trial and error and also finding a good LFS who will take them back even after a period of time has elapsed.

Adrian

That's why suggested singles. If you want a pair then you undoubtedly will get aggression, although having said that I have a pair of HRP's and they were fine whilst guarding eggs. The odd chase but no violence at all. The keyholes are probably one of the most placid cichlids going so shouldn't pose threat to the FM.

Would you consider getting rid of the FM for a pair of something?

twodoctors · May 2, 2011

When I had my sajicas there were some chasing as well, but only chasing away from its territory and no biting. But then they were the only cichlid in the ~~village~~ tank. Not sure how it would work with a pair of something. I think I just need a LFS who will take back the (other) fishes if things don't work out after a week or 2.

My firemouth hasn't marked its territory yet, and hasn't claimed any caves, so my worry is that it has claimed the whole tank, accepting the raibowfishes as its subject. About a month since I bought it, it stayed for 2 weeks before I moved it out for 1 week because of chasing. Moved it back a week ago and he was still chasing the smaller FM. I guess I can get a pair of somehting from the LFS where I bought the FM from and ask if they would take the other FM back if it doesn't work out...

Adrian

minnnt · May 2, 2011

Have you got a picture of the FM? It's not going to accept anything if its smaller imo as like you say it sounds like its claimed the whole lot. If you were to go.for a keyhole or something then you may have to get a full grown one. What about a festivum? Just bang an Oscar in with him, that should sort him out. Lol!

twodoctors · May 2, 2011

You know I would love an oscar but I don't have the tank for it...

...I tend to agree with you regarding the FM. The rainbows are same size if not a bit bigger than it. But what would happen when it is full size...

Adrian

minnnt · May 2, 2011

If you added something bigger than the FM now then maybe he would respect it when he is an adult. Maybe not though. Lol. I think it is gonna have to be trial and error with it all.

twodoctors · May 2, 2011

Anyone else have any suggestions?

Adrian

mikka23 · May 3, 2011

How about more rainbows? :hyper:

Possibly praecox or maccullochi...

Bolivian rams seem to get on quite well with my rainbows as well. Generally stick to the bottom of tank and strangely one of my m.Boesemani has started to follow it around. Not sure about compatibility with your other stock though.

twodoctors · May 4, 2011

Thanks.

Rainbows can crossbreed if what I've read is correct.

Bolivian Rams might be good, but not sure the firemouth will like them.

I've kind of had my mind set now... going to try and rehome the firemouth and the liver catfish, and change the tank into an "Asian biotope" excluding the plants.

My plan would be:

6 Boesemani rainbowfishes
3 3-spot gourami (gold, blue and opaline)
8 Kuhli loaches
5 Odessa barbs (from the smaller tank)
5 Golden barbs (from the smaller tank)
1 L92 pleco (not sure if its Asian)

For the smaller tank:

4 Honey gourami
6 3-lined corys
5 pentazona barbs
5 checkered barbs

Hopefully the LFS will take my firemouth and liver catfish in...

Adrian