Big changes are coming.

[FreshwaterTropical]

So I want to change a few things get rid of a few of plants and fish. I will plan to buy some new plants and fish, what do you think? I am really looking for anything floating?
The tank is a 37 gallon community, with great lights for basically any plants. What are your thoughts on the attached pics from my LFS today, they are just a few things that I was interested in especially the hillstream loaches???

 

[FreshwaterTropical]

Thinking about getting rid of the platys and maybe a few other fish. Also downsizing on a few of the large plants!


Fish tank details/stocking:,
*fish
- 5 platy, 2 male, 3 female?
-3 silver tip tetras
-1 lemon tetra
-1 zebra botia loach
-3 clown pleco
-1 gold gourami male
-1 peacock eel
*inverts
-6 mystery/apple snails
-pond snails
*plants
- money wort, water Hyssop, Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri)
- wisteria
- java fern
- micro sword
- green cabomba
- amazon sword
- java moss
- anubias nana
- giant hair grass
- onion bulbs
- water lily
- aponogeton
-Cabomba pulcherrima "Purple Cabomba"
-Banana Plant "nymphoides aquatica"
- duckweed

 

[FreshwaterTropical]

Idk what my plans are, but I kinda want a real big centerpiece fish or something? But what can I get with my plants? Don't worry I would get rid of many of the fish in the tank!

 

[Coursair]

Idk what my plans are, but I kinda want a real big centerpiece fish or something? But what can I get with my plants? Don't worry I would get rid of many of the fish in the tank!

Pearl Gourami is a fav of mine. Loves planted tanks. Peaceful for their size.

Hillstream Loaches need river tanks IMHO.
My friend has them in a 60 with powerheads.

 

[FreshwaterTropical]

Ok that's cool. I kinda liked the look of the loaches at the store, how about gold dojo loach?

 

[rkilling1]

Ok that's cool. I kinda liked the look of the loaches at the store, how about gold dojo loach?

I don't know what fish you should get, but I had a golden dojo loach many years ago and all he did was uproot my plants. It became a pain to replant the plants everyday.

 

[FreshwaterTropical]

Ok maybe not him than,

what about gold rams?

 

[Coursair]

Ok maybe not him than,

what about gold rams?

Rams or Apistos may work. A single pair perhaps to start. After you clear out some stock.

 

[FreshwaterTropical]

Yeah they are cool, but I really would truly rather get something that is a predator and would be fed live fish??? Are there any others that I could keep besides Ctenolucius Hujeta? My friend once had a needlefish in his 36 gallon tank? What about them?

 

[Coursair]

Yeah they are cool, but I really would truly rather get something that is a predator and would be fed live fish??? Are there any others that I could keep besides Ctenolucius Hujeta? My friend once had a needlefish in his 36 gallon tank? What about them?

Piscivores typically need big tanks with big filtration. They are very messy. Needlefish may prefer schools and plants to hide among. They are prone to collisions with the sides if you startle them in too bare of a tank.

Live fish ??? Goldfish are NOT a healthy diet. Are you planning to breed Guppies or your own food ??? Pelleted and Frozen Food, plus select Live Food is ok. A diet of just GF ?? Bad.
IMHO

I had snakes and Tarantulas for years. Eating Live is overrated for me

Study up if you truly want a Piscivore
Here is a good article on the pros and cons
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwsubwebindex/fdgfdrartneale.htm

 

[FreshwaterTropical]

I was thinking feeder guppies, and I know that it is not the entire diet! I just kinda am thinking something big, and odd! I guess I am really tired of small community fish!

 

[Coursair]

I was thinking feeder guppies, and I know that it is not the entire diet! I just kinda am thinking something big, and odd! I guess I am really tired of small community fish!

Big and odd ? 50-100g tank probably

 

[FreshwaterTropical]

Yeah I know how about the hujeta (silver/rocket) gar, they only grow to 10 in.

 

[FreshwaterTropical]

I'm kinda rethinking what I'm going to do, the first step will be to find some nice driftwood, and aquascape around my plants! Then I will think about fish!