In the course of researching this amazing hobby, newbies (like me) often ask the same questions over and over; among them, the question of "so what kind of fish can I put in my planted nano?" seems to come up quite a bit.
To that end I'd like to start an easily-referenced thread with lists of ideal species for nanos. Wherever possible, please provide both the common name and the scientific name. :icon_bigg
One other thing: are there common [English] names for any of these guys? Something I've noticed is that you Finns have common names for fish English-speakers have never even seen...
Also - are there any proposals for how we should break this list down when it becomes too long to simply be a quick-reference guide? I think it should be a functional distinction, i.e. by preferred water parameters so people considering community tanks can more easily find neighbors for their fish, but I'm also open to suggestion.
One other thing: are there common [English] names for any of these guys? Something I've noticed is that you Finns have common names for fish English-speakers have never even seen...
Well, as I'm not a native English speaker I have to rely on other sources, mainly the net. I was kind of hoping that you English speakers would supply the common names. I did edit in some names from Fishbase and MIFF...
I was kind of thinking that giving the continent would give the reader a guestimate for the preferred water values and also some idea for a geotope maybe. I suppose there are more clever ways of doing it.
How about making a quick list in the beginning of the thread with most common ones and giving just links to further down the thread for others? Say, like a link titled: more livebearers. That would work if the fish would be grouped by families. Otherwise? Maybe not. I can edit my lists in any shape you guys think would be most useful!!
Thanks Daniel. I've been thinking about this a little, and I agree with your idea - with one little revision: the first list of common fish should also have some kind of basic list for first-timers of fish that are easy to keep, along with either a footnote or a separate post in this thread detailing anything that beginners should know.
For instance, Endlers & Guppies reproduce like mad, Otos, Corys, and Plecos like to be kept in groups of at least X amount, these other fish are schoolers with a minimum of __...
Coming back to this fascinating project... In the article I have been using for some help (Markku Varjo 2005: Kalojen kääpiösarjalaiset)... there're still these left:
Hatchetfish should never be put in a nano. In the Amazon, they literally fly out of the water. Fishbase.org quote regarding Carnegiella strigata strigata: "Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; may jump out of the aquarium; minimum aquarium size 80 cm".
That'd definitely be useful too, I agree: however, revising this list took a turn for the complicated due to all the different suggested ways of sorting this list. Daniel*Swords has generously volunteered his time for this as well - but any other volunteers would be great too.
At this point I'm thinking perhaps some kind of a spreadsheet is in order for this - that way we can show multiple parameters that are useful, such as size, water temp & pH requirements, stocking & neighbor-friendliness info, etc. - instead of having one list showing all fish in a certain size range, then another separate list entirely showing what you can/can't put in the tank with them, you know?
Actually, not to rant but just to clarify, the 'species name' refers to both the genus and the specific epithet, most commonly incorrectly refered to as the 'species name'. A species name is comprised of two parts -the genus (the first part) and the specific epithet (the second part). I do not mean to rant but people throw around scientific verbage constantly and i just wanted to let people know of this distinction - even people who are well trained in the biological sciences misuse these terms.
Thanks agdavis for clearing that up! All very logical now that you mention it! After this, it'll be that much more easier for me to try to pass as a biologist. :hihi:
Some more fishes (found in the thread):
Gertrude's Rainbow/ Gertrude Blue-eyes (Pseudomugil gertrudae)
Dwarf Red Bettas (Betta coccina, tussyae, rutilans, persephone, etc.)
Then in the link posted by Sarahpea above we can find:
Burmese Pink Neon Rasbora (Microrasbora rubescens)
No , most of these fish require at least a 5 gallon, or a 2g to themselves, but some you can put in bowls. A 5g tank realy isn't much bigger than a betta bowl. And not to expensive either. Also, I used to have a betta vase, but I could barely see anything but a blur in the rounded glass.
Also, most fish require something the Betta doesnt- airation. Bettas and a few other fish, like goldfish, have a gland (Larynth gland I believe) that allows them to take air from the surface instead of through the water, so filtration and circulation would be required over a Betta. HTH.
Bettas and other labyrinth fish, have an organ called the labyrinth that allows them to breathe atmospheric air, goldfish do NOT have the labyrinth organ. Goldfish should not be kept it bowls. It's already illegal to do so in Rome.
Has anyone mentioned darters yet? There are some beautiful rainbow and greenside darters which are native to my state, but unfortunately they are also jumpers. Darters appreciate a decent amount of flow too.
I dig darters! I wanted to get a couple of the Orange ones a while back but because they're riffle-dwellers (they like fast moving currents) didn't think that'd work w/ the other inhabitants of my current main tank.
No , most of these fish require at least a 5 gallon, or a 2g to themselves, but some you can put in bowls. A 5g tank realy isn't much bigger than a betta bowl.
Bettas and other labyrinth fish, have an organ called the labyrinth that allows them to breathe atmospheric air, goldfish do NOT have the labyrinth organ. Goldfish should not be kept it bowls. It's already illegal to do so in Rome
Those Parosphromeni look pretty cool! Thanks Seikah.
Also, to all of you good folks that I promised a revised version of this list - are there any takers for a co-editing job? It's a fairly big task to sort these by tank size, water type (pH, temp., etc), minimum number, etc...
Endlers, although they're prolific as heck. Actually there are a few species that should be fine - here's a hint: look for species with small mouths that physically can't eat the baby shrimp. Rocket Killis, for instance...
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