Sad news means new opportunity

[Ponera]

After a bacterial infection raged my bichir tank and killed my two bigger ones almost 8 months ago, I had a healthy and happy single male bichir left. I then changed the carbon this week and he decided it was time to stop eating, dying a few days later after losing weight rapidly. No idea what happened, only difference was that I changed the carbon. All the water parameters are fine, if not better, than before the carbon was changed.

Sad days indeed, but now I have a fully cycled, well maintained planted 45 gallon tank with 5 2 year old snails cleaning the hell out of it (it's spotless, though algae does like growing on this one plant.) It has no fish in it.

I'm thinking I want to put smaller cichlids in, but I am not sure. Maybe Neolamprologus brichardi? Maybe a single axolotl? Maybe a single Greater Siren? It is actually surprisingly difficult to get specific species in my city (Calgary) as one LFS was just closed down, another one is an abhorrent cancer and the third one typically only has one aisle of neat fish, spamming generic cichlids and guppies in all their others. The other stores are all mostly chain stores that have given me various parasites at times so I don't want to go back to them.

Any suggestions? I want something hardy because I sometimes have to go away for a week at a time, but something that will either be tremendously cool or maybe breed for me because yay babies.

 

[Frank Castle]

After a bacterial infection raged my bichir tank and killed my two bigger ones almost 8 months ago, I had a healthy and happy single male bichir left. I then changed the carbon this week and he decided it was time to stop eating, dying a few days later after losing weight rapidly. No idea what happened, only difference was that I changed the carbon. All the water parameters are fine, if not better, than before the carbon was changed.

Sad days indeed, but now I have a fully cycled, well maintained planted 45 gallon tank with 5 2 year old snails cleaning the hell out of it (it's spotless, though algae does like growing on this one plant.) It has no fish in it.

I'm thinking I want to put smaller cichlids in, but I am not sure. Maybe Neolamprologus brichardi? Maybe a single axolotl? Maybe a single Greater Siren? It is actually surprisingly difficult to get specific species in my city (Calgary) as one LFS was just closed down, another one is an abhorrent cancer and the third one typically only has one aisle of neat fish, spamming generic cichlids and guppies in all their others. The other stores are all mostly chain stores that have given me various parasites at times so I don't want to go back to them.

Any suggestions? I want something hardy because I sometimes have to go away for a week at a time, but something that will either be tremendously cool or maybe breed for me because yay babies.

if you like your snails, don't get cichlids.....they will eat every single one of them

 

[Ponera]

Really? Even small cichlids? Dang. Yah I wanna keep them as long as I can, they are like 2 years old already! When I had Geophagus they didn't bother snails, but this tank is too small for geos obviously.

 

[Hendre]

Axolotls and sirens would be out if you go away frequently. as far as i know axolotls need really good water quality and careful water control.

I would reccomend shell dwelling cichlids, small, endearing and tonnes of fun. (they breed well too)

 

[Frank Castle]

Really? Even small cichlids? Dang. Yah I wanna keep them as long as I can, they are like 2 years old already! When I had Geophagus they didn't bother snails, but this tank is too small for geos obviously.

how about Gymnogeophagus balzanii?? I loved my little female - very peaceful and docile. Sadly she was killed over the Summer by my psychotic female Green Terror which I have come to call "Angel" as in "Angel of Death". Poor girl was one of 6 victims the GT has claimed. She also killed a few Rainbow and Redtail sharks, a large CAE, a Synspilum bigger than her, and who knows what else.

HEY, you could get female Green Terror!!!!

 

[justarn]

What about hemichromis elongatus, awesome little beasts, that's mine in my avatar.

 

[Ponera]

i don't go away often, but when I do it can be for a week. I've heard the amphibians are delicate little flowers, so yah.

I really like Mesonauta, but the last one I had cleaned my aquarium of all plants. Little bastard.

I would be down for something like an oddball fish of some sort. May even settle on another senegal bichir if I can find one for less than 60 bucks. ****in seriously.

I'll have to check availability of all these species first and foremost, but these are some good suggestions.

How about Kribensis? Will they eat snails?

How big does Hemichromis get? Do they breed readily?

I would REALLY like a mouth brooder of some sort, any small ones around?

 

[justarn]

Elongatus get about 5-6 inch, mine haven't bred but they seem to breed for everyone else!-)
Rapps usually has them. They are piscivorous so generally ignore plants. Colours are awesome imo

 

[Frank Castle]

i don't go away often, but when I do it can be for a week. I've heard the amphibians are delicate little flowers, so yah.

I really like Mesonauta, but the last one I had cleaned my aquarium of all plants. Little bastard.

I would be down for something like an oddball fish of some sort. May even settle on another senegal bichir if I can find one for less than 60 bucks. ****in seriously.

I'll have to check availability of all these species first and foremost, but these are some good suggestions.

How about Kribensis? Will they eat snails?

How big does Hemichromis get? Do they breed readily?

I would REALLY like a mouth brooder of some sort, any small ones around?

How about Gunther's Mouthbrooder?

 

[Ponera]

how many elongatus are needed for breeding? I mean more than 2, like usually you need a few to pair up. Also, how many would reasonably fit in this 45 gal? Do they mouth brood?

How big do gunterhs mouthbrooders get?

So far I'm leaning towards neolamprologus brichardi, though I would probably prefer a mouth brooder.