schoeplein
Aquarium Advice Addict
So. I come from having owned several challenging salt water tanks, thus I have an unrealistically high expectation for the appearance of the fish that will be in my planted freshwater aquarium. I kept a dragonette for several years, in spite of how difficult they are to keep alive. I've kept water parameters in check to keep blue polyps, multicolored mushrooms, and hard corals. 55g up to 110g, and I helped to keep a 220g predator tank that my stepfather owned. My living situation forced me to dismantle and hand off all of my pieces. I now own my own home and am ready to dive back in. That being said, I'm not opposed to a challenge, and what I'm about to propose will be considered just that (or down right stupid, hehe).
I'm prepping a 65g tank and need some pro advice from folks who have attempted or succeeded in keeping certain mixes of supposedly incompatible fish.
Here's a list of fish I would like to keep, they all won't necessarily get along or have individual requirements that may require separation or special treatment. Please critique my research and point out any glaring obstacles I may have missed.
Zebra loach - Ground scavenger, can be territorial. OK as a solo fish. Small enough at a mature age not to take up too much inch/gallon. I really wanted a clown loach, but I honestly think it would grow too large for even my tank. I'm assuming it will live its full life. Great bottom/cave dweller.
Angelfish - Can grow to be very large. I've read up to 12" tall. OK as a solo fish, but prefer a partner *if* they like each other. Assuming they live long enough, the two of them would have a rather large consumption of aquarium space. Difficult to keep with discus and dwarf gourami. Middle tank inhabitant.
Discus - "very difficult" to keep. Challenges change based their age and maturity. Once paired off, it is suggested the pair is kept in their own tank. Otherwise they should be kept in groups of five or more. Also difficult to keep with angelfish and dwarf gourami. Middle tank inhabitant, also hides.
Dwarf gourami - I actually have experience with these arseholes. One male is always dominant, the rest submissive. In a large enough tank they can exist in pairs or more assuming each can have its own territory. Will chase anything and everything if it feels it is being encroached upon, and definitely bites off the fins of other fish readily. The dominant male I have may do better with a pair of lady friends instead. He also doesn't like fish with extravagant fins, longfin anything. Temperament may reduce with extended space. Swims the entire tank. Most likely won't get along with discus or angelfish.
Cardinal tetras - A decent schooling fish that fits my water temps and parameters. Nothing special, just needs six or more, passive, won't bother others and won't be bothered. Fills the gaps.
Are there other extravagant, colorful fish, that aren't tiny like guppies, that I'm missing? This will not be a guppy tank. I've got another tank full of males for that. I'm also not interested in breeding.
Is it possible to identify discus as male, so I could keep five of them? Or are they like clownfish and can change sex? Or will it be a "buy a dozen and remove the pairs" situation? How violent towards others would a pair of discus be?
I'd like to keep one, or two angels only so they'll have a buddy, but if one can appreciate their own company, that would be better in the long run.
What say ya'll. Dwarf gourami, angels and discus in the same tank. Cats and dogs playing together? Pigs flying? Or can careful selection based on temperament result in a balanced tank?
Sent from my SM-T310 using Aquarium Advice mobile app
I'm prepping a 65g tank and need some pro advice from folks who have attempted or succeeded in keeping certain mixes of supposedly incompatible fish.
Here's a list of fish I would like to keep, they all won't necessarily get along or have individual requirements that may require separation or special treatment. Please critique my research and point out any glaring obstacles I may have missed.
Zebra loach - Ground scavenger, can be territorial. OK as a solo fish. Small enough at a mature age not to take up too much inch/gallon. I really wanted a clown loach, but I honestly think it would grow too large for even my tank. I'm assuming it will live its full life. Great bottom/cave dweller.
Angelfish - Can grow to be very large. I've read up to 12" tall. OK as a solo fish, but prefer a partner *if* they like each other. Assuming they live long enough, the two of them would have a rather large consumption of aquarium space. Difficult to keep with discus and dwarf gourami. Middle tank inhabitant.
Discus - "very difficult" to keep. Challenges change based their age and maturity. Once paired off, it is suggested the pair is kept in their own tank. Otherwise they should be kept in groups of five or more. Also difficult to keep with angelfish and dwarf gourami. Middle tank inhabitant, also hides.
Dwarf gourami - I actually have experience with these arseholes. One male is always dominant, the rest submissive. In a large enough tank they can exist in pairs or more assuming each can have its own territory. Will chase anything and everything if it feels it is being encroached upon, and definitely bites off the fins of other fish readily. The dominant male I have may do better with a pair of lady friends instead. He also doesn't like fish with extravagant fins, longfin anything. Temperament may reduce with extended space. Swims the entire tank. Most likely won't get along with discus or angelfish.
Cardinal tetras - A decent schooling fish that fits my water temps and parameters. Nothing special, just needs six or more, passive, won't bother others and won't be bothered. Fills the gaps.
Are there other extravagant, colorful fish, that aren't tiny like guppies, that I'm missing? This will not be a guppy tank. I've got another tank full of males for that. I'm also not interested in breeding.
Is it possible to identify discus as male, so I could keep five of them? Or are they like clownfish and can change sex? Or will it be a "buy a dozen and remove the pairs" situation? How violent towards others would a pair of discus be?
I'd like to keep one, or two angels only so they'll have a buddy, but if one can appreciate their own company, that would be better in the long run.
What say ya'll. Dwarf gourami, angels and discus in the same tank. Cats and dogs playing together? Pigs flying? Or can careful selection based on temperament result in a balanced tank?
Sent from my SM-T310 using Aquarium Advice mobile app