Fish Picking!

1286 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by lauraleellbp, May 7, 2014

Lisa+Ron

Discussion Starter · May 7, 2014 (Edited)

Hi there, new to the forums, not new to the hobby. Ive had planted aquariums in the past, but to be honest, have never done much research.

I recently got a 45g tall aquarium that I would like to do planted with some unique fish. Ive gathered a list of fish I think would be good, but would like some more experienced opinions.

Here's what I am considering fish-wise.

Dwarf Gourami
Boesemani Rainbow
Sterbos Cory
[STRIKE]Borneo Sucker[/STRIKE]
Rainbow Shark
Indian Dwarf Puffer
[STRIKE]African Butterflyfish[/STRIKE]
American Flagfish
[STRIKE]Dragon Goby[/STRIKE]
Twinbar Solar Flare Swordtail

My son would really like to see a blue crayfish in there as well. I know previously I attempted this and he ate half my tank. Is it possible?

Any ideas/thought/suggestions?

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HybridHerp

· #2 · May 7, 2014

Avoid the blue cray, that's a fish and plant eater.

If you wanted crayfish, look into dwarf crayfish, but then be careful because they are dogey about what they will work with in a tank.

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Grah the great

· #3 · May 7, 2014

Lisa+Ron said:
Hi there, new to the forums, not new to the hobby. Ive had planted aquariums in the past, but to be honest, have never done much research.

I recently got a 45g tall aquarium that I would like to do planted with some unique fish. Ive gathered a list of fish I think would be good, but would like some more experienced opinions.

Here's what I am considering fish-wise.

Dwarf Gourami
Boesemani Rainbow
Sterbos Cory
Borneo Sucker
Rainbow Shark
Indian Dwarf Puffer
African Butterflyfish
American Flagfish
Dragon Goby
Twinbar Solar Flare Swordtail

My son would really like to see a blue crayfish in there as well. I know previously I attempted this and he ate half my tank. Is it possible?

Any ideas/thought/suggestions?

The dwarf puffer and flag fish may nip fins, the butterflyfish will eat several of the fish in this setup (the pea puffer in particular would probably be a goner), Borneo suckers need a lot of water flow and cooler temperatures than most of the other occupants, and the dragon goby is a 18 inch plus beast that needs a much larger tank and brackish (semi salty) water. The crayfish will also eat most of the residents, or be eaten itself when it molts. Long story short, this setup is a very bad idea...have you considered just picking one species of unique fish and going from there? Most of the animals you are considering have rather different preferences even if they would not harass or eat each other.

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GuppyGuppyGuppyGuppyGuppy

· #4 · May 7, 2014

I have 2 dwarf puffers and they keep to themselves. They never nip any fins.

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Lisa+Ron

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 7, 2014

Grah the great said:
The dwarf puffer and flag fish may nip fins, the butterflyfish will eat several of the fish in this setup (the pea puffer in particular would probably be a goner), Borneo suckers need a lot of water flow and cooler temperatures than most of the other occupants, and the dragon goby is a 18 inch plus beast that needs a much larger tank and brackish (semi salty) water. The crayfish will also eat most of the residents, or be eaten itself when it molts. Long story short, this setup is a very bad idea...have you considered just picking one species of unique fish and going from there? Most of the animals you are considering have rather different preferences even if they would not harass or eat each other.

Ultimately that's my goal. I guessed it would be a pretty bad idea to throw all these particular fish together in the tank.

I'm pretty lost on which direction I want to go, but your response definitely takes a few off my list, like the borneo sucker, (but damn hes cute)the goby and the butterflyfish.

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Grah the great

· #6 · May 7, 2014

Strictly speaking, all the fish above except for the dragon goby would probably work; they would simply need a more specialized setup.

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lauraleellbp

· #7 · May 7, 2014

My advice- pick which of the fish remaining on your list is your favorite, and then we can help recommend appropriate tankmates.

Don't forget to leave room in your tank for scavengers and algae-eaters.

I also think Boesmani rainbows would be too large for your tank (I don't recommend them in less than 4' tanks). There are some smaller rainbows that might be approprite, like Celebes, depending on what tankmates you choose with them.

Since you seem to like lots of color, a pair of Kribensis cichlids might be a good choice. Lots of personality and chances are good that they'd spawn for you.

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