What To Add? What To Add?

[malajulinka]

I recently upgraded my mixed school of 11 neon/cardinal tetras (LFS error, which they did make right!) from their measly 10-gallon to a 29-gallon. It's lightly planted right now but I intend to add more plants over time. I've added two Bristlenose Plecos - both are still pretty small, and I'm prepared for them to get messy, but I've always wanted some kind of catfish! They're too little to sex yet, but if they're a pair I'll keep them both; if they're both the same I'll probably re-home one of them. Also three Assassin Snails and an untold number of their prey. Tank's been up and running for about two months - the tetras (been with me for 6 months) have settled in nicely with no losses, and the BNPs have already almost doubled the size I got them at a month ago.

My tank parameters are: PH 7.6 (a little high, I know), fully cycled (used my old HoB filter for the first few weeks to help) and nitrates under control, normally at 80F but summer heat's got it a bit higher, and I'm running an Eheim 2213. Since it's new I've been doing about a 30% water change every two or three days, but will probably settle that down to once a week soon.

I'm looking to add one more species to the tank - something a little bigger, a little showier, that will hang around in the middle. Preferably something that will pair up and breed, although unsuccessful breeding would suit me just fine too!

At first I had my heart set on Rams (from a local breeder who raises them at similar parameters, so would be okay with my PH), but I was at the LFS today lustily eyeing their Appistogramma selection - so pretty! I've also flirted with Kribs, but was thinking to maybe keep the species South American.

What's *your* favourite fish to keep in a tank this size, with these mates? Any favourite types of Appistos? I'd love some advice and suggestions!

 

[OldMan47]

Kribensis are beautiful fish, I have some too, but they are not tolerant of other fish when they start to breed. They are also not middle swimmers, they are bottom fish mostly although they will swim where they please. Apistogrammas are very pretty fish but I have no experience with them. Some nice easy fish for the middle of the tank are rasboras but they are not brightly colored fish.

 

[malajulinka]

Kribensis are beautiful fish, I have some too, but they are not tolerant of other fish when they start to breed. They are also not middle swimmers, they are bottom fish mostly although they will swim where they please. Apistogrammas are very pretty fish but I have no experience with them. Some nice easy fish for the middle of the tank are rasboras but they are not brightly colored fish.

Thanks! Are Kribs jerks to everyone or just other similar-sized cichlids? I understand Appistos are mean little guys too, but only towards other fish that look/seem like themselves.

And rasboras are pretty and oh so varied, but my heart belongs to neons for shoaling fish, and I already have my shoal!

 

[OldMan47]

Kribs are rather nice most of the time but can be real beasts to everyone when they start breeding. A 29 is just too small to keep a breeding pair of them with any other fish.

 

[malajulinka]

Kribs are rather nice most of the time but can be real beasts to everyone when they start breeding. A 29 is just too small to keep a breeding pair of them with any other fish.

Striking them off of my potential list, then!