Want Weird Fish, Or Bottom Feeders

[Phisher84]

I have a 55 gallon tank and thus far I have:

1 Dalmation Mollie
4 Flame Dwarf Gouramis
2 Gold Gouramis
2 Opaline Gouramis
4 Fancy tailed Guppies
2 Albino Catfish
1 Catfish whose name I forgot, just bought him
1 Betta

All of these have been "8pm, run to the fish store", impulse buys. lol
I'm now looking for just 'fillers', maybe. More color, or more bottom feeders to clean up after these pigs. Any suggestions?
More guppies? An invertebrate?

 

[mbsqw1d]

Albino Catfish as in a Corydora? I would definately up the shoal of Corys to 6 or 8. They love being in a big group together and are surprisingly active for 'bottom dwellers'. When / if you get any corys I'd advise you to research what temperature they require first

Oh, and a pair of Rams! Like some German Blue's. They're very colourfull/pretty!

 

[Phisher84]

I guess it's a Cory, but the only signs I've seen posted by them are 'Albino Catfish'. I had 3, but my boyfriend was doing some 'landscaping' inside the tank and didn't see one playing possum and squished him. I'll find out what the name of the one I just bought is because he is WAY more active. Soon as I put him in the tank last night he was going crazy on the bottom, having a feeding fest. I think the other two are just spoiled, fatties now.

 

[mbsqw1d]

one of these? http/farm1.static.flickr.com/123/3740620...f61c48d.jpg?v=0

sorry to hear of a squished cory They're awesome in a large shoal though, at least I think they are! A 55 Gallon could probably handle a bristlenose plec (one of the smaller varieties)

 

[Phisher84]

Oh, what are Rams? I'll have to look them up, thanks!

 

[mbsqw1d]

Oh, what are Rams? I'll have to look them up, thanks!

Rams are Cichlids.

 

[Phisher84]

one of these? [URL="http/farm1.static.flickr.com/123/3740620...f61c48d.jpg?v=0"]http/farm1.static.flickr.com/123/3740620...f61c48d.jpg?v=0[/URL]

sorry to hear of a squished cory They're awesome in a large shoal though, at least I think they are! A 55 Gallon could probably handle a bristlenose plec (one of the smaller varieties)

Yep, that's them, the little lay-abouts!

And I just looked up the Rams, those are GORGEOUS!!!!
But.... Being a newbie and all, will I be able to take care of those? I read they are a little more fragile that what I'm use to dealing with. But the German and Electric blues are beautiful!! And will I need to plant my tank if I bought some, or could I just buy some Moss Balls?

 

[Phisher84]

I just went to the fish store and they had 2 Blue Rams, they are purdy! But, he has a male and a female, so I told him I'll wait a couple weeks to see if they mate, then I'll take one off his hands. =) Thanks for the info!

 

[mbsqw1d]

They will require a mature tank. (real) plants not necessary but somewhere for them to hide and have their own space is good.

Rams are very sensitive to nitrates, so a planted tank can be good for keeping nitrates down as that's what plants feed on.
Other than that, you're weekly 30% water changes should be enough.
Wouldn't you want some live plants?? Vallis and Elodea Densa don't need any special treatment and will grow in almost any tank.

But yeah, rams are gorgeous lookin' things! I got a pair of Bolivian Rams (wish I'd got some German or Electric Blue ) I got a male and female and they are still trying to figure one another out (still quite young at the moment). They have a very complicated relationship but once they pair off, they'll pair for life I'd be quick at your LFS before someone else gets their hands on them!!

 

[arobinson1984]

Just to add about German blue rams, they are one of the more sensitive rams and many people can't keep them due to their tap water. They need nitrates to be below 20ppm so the level of nitrates in your tap water will determine whether they will be suitable.

A heavily planted tank would help keep down nitrate levels should your tap water levels be too high

Andy