Help Stock My Oddball Tank

[wolfsburgfanatic]

Sorry if this doesn't belong here, but there are bichirs involved and I got no help in General Aquaria Discussion :D

The tank in question is a 40G Long - 48x13x16. Filtration is two Aquatech 30-60s, each pushing 330 gph (currently running on just one since the butterfly fish seem much more active that way).

So far the inhabitants are 1 albino senegal (3-4") and 2 african butterfly fish. I'm going for an African Oddball theme, and I'd really love to add a delhezi and a small school of congo tetras but I don't know if that would be too much for the tank space?? Ctenopoma acutirostre and Synodontis nigriventris are also options, but I really want some peaceful middle swimmers so the tank actually looks alive from across the room.

So basically: 1) Can I add reasonably a delhezi 2) what else would you suggest?

Thanks for looking :thumbsup:

[andyjs]

I delhezi should be fine. You could probably also get away with 6 or 8 schooling fish. You could either do the congos or upside-down cats. I'd think you should be ok with that. If it were me, I'd also be tempted to throw in a ctenopoma, but I tend to overstock (but also overfilter) my tanks

[dbcb314]

congos would be good. Get them big...

my leopard bush fish are pretty active... constantly fighting with each other.

african knifefish fit the bill, but they do hide a lot.

delhezi will most likely work. supposively they get 14 inches... seems really really rare though.

[pwmin]

a del and the congos should work well. I'm not sure I would add a ctenopoma with 2 butterfly fish. 2 on the top, 2 on the bottom and a half dozen or so in the middle would probably be the max i would try, maybe another small bichir on the bottom.

nice avatar, btw

[Prometheus]

delhezi will most likely work. supposively they get 14 inches... seems really really rare though.

no to steal the thread but quick question, i have a baby delh right now, how big do they really get on average? i would like to put it in a 75 gallon eventually for the 18" tank width but would one be fine in a 55 gallon (w - 12.5") with 2 senegals?

[andyjs]

Should be fine for a while. I haven't kept one (yet ;) ), but I think they normally get 10-12" in aquaria from what I've heard

[wolfsburgfanatic]

cool, thanks everyone! Now I just gotta get some money ahead :thumbsup:

[polish]

I'm a fans of Synos, so I vote for those.

On a side note, sweet avatar; from a fellow long time OPIV fan.

[Miles]

Congo Tetras, Polypterus Senegalus, Ctenopoma, any Syndontis, African Brown Knife, Clown/Angelicus Loaches, Spiny Eels like Fire/Tiretrack ees.. If you arent worried about regionality you could do some headstanders like Abramites, or a Black Ghost Knife, maybe SA cats like bumblebee or raphiel, but they hide alot too..


wait a sec - That is my 125g tank I just cleaned out! One thing about having alot of 'hiding' fish - the tanks turns into a FRENZY during feeding time!! They all come out of the woodwork for food..