Center piece fish for Asia themed tank?

[Omrit]

I am trying to find center piece fish for my new set-up. I have a 25 gallon long(custom) ,but I might just move to a 55 gallon. The tank has a sand bottom with lots of river rocks and mostly tall thin plants. Can add floating plants if needed, but not wanting to add any large structures like a flower pot. My water is on the harder side, so stuff like samurai gourami are probably not good.


I already have a group of Panda Garra and Harlequin rasboras for the tank. If I upgrade to the 55 will probably get a 2nd schooling fish, but otherwise that is pretty much all I plan to have in the tank.


My issue is finding something I really like for the center piece fish. The schooling fish just don't do it for me without some kind of center piece fish. I am aware of gouramis, and bettas of course I just want to know about other potential options.


I like the paradise fish, but they seem unpredictable which has me leaning away from them. The black paradise fish(Macropodus Spechti) is also stunning, but I can't find much info on their aggression levels. Some of the wild type bettas are interesting, but it seems my water is not ideal for any of them.

 

[Midwater]

What about a yellow finned barb Hypsibarbus Wetmorei?

 

[spitz006]

I am trying to find center piece fish for my new set-up. I have a 25 gallon long(custom) ,but I might just move to a 55 gallon. The tank has a sand bottom with lots of river rocks and mostly tall thin plants. Can add floating plants if needed, but not wanting to add any large structures like a flower pot. My water is on the harder side, so stuff like samurai gourami are probably not good.


I already have a group of Panda Garra and Harlequin rasboras for the tank. If I upgrade to the 55 will probably get a 2nd schooling fish, but otherwise that is pretty much all I plan to have in the tank.


My issue is finding something I really like for the center piece fish. The schooling fish just don't do it for me without some kind of center piece fish. I am aware of gouramis, and bettas of course I just want to know about other potential options.


I like the paradise fish, but they seem unpredictable which has me leaning away from them. The black paradise fish(Macropodus Spechti) is also stunning, but I can't find much info on their aggression levels. Some of the wild type bettas are interesting, but it seems my water is not ideal for any of them.

I have an Asian themed 225 gallon tank and Asian themed 45 gallon tank.

Let us know what you pick. Personally I would do a gourami or spiny eel or both.

 

[spitz006]

I wouldn’t worry about gourami aggression. They’re usually just aggressive to other gouramis.

 

[Omrit]

What about a yellow finned barb Hypsibarbus Wetmorei?

Way too big!

I have an Asian themed 225 gallon tank and Asian themed 45 gallon tank.

Let us know what you pick. Personally I would do a gourami or spiny eel or both.

I forgot spiny eels can be from Asia. Won't my rasboras be in danger with one? They aren't really what I would consider a centerpiece fish, but if I upgraded to the 55 I would definitely want one assuming it won't eat my rasboras.

 

[duanes]

When I here the term"centerpiece fish, I think of something much larger than the others.
But any fish even 5" or more will probably eat or randomly kill your rasboras.
Although.....something like Pseudoetroplus maculates ( orange chromide) or Etroplus canarensus may not bother in your size tank.(both from India)
Below E canarensus

I'd also consider some of the smaller wild type Betta species becoming more and more available these days.

Above and below is Betta albimarginatta from Borneo and Indonesia.
The mouth may look menacing, but it is a mouthbrooder, hence the gape.

There are also a number of killifish from Thailand that (although not very large) make up for it with dramatic colors.
Some similar to the African Gularus type below


Another consideration might be the Badis badis, stays about 3-4" and hangs out near the substrate, so not much of a danger to mid water swimming species in that size tank.
There are also some vegetarian (algae eating) Gobies that might work, but do serious research on their eating habits before buying.

 

[Omrit]

When I here the term"centerpiece fish, I think of something much larger than the others.
But any fish even 5" or more will probably eat or randomly kill your rasboras.
Although.....something like Pseudoetroplus maculates ( orange chromide) or Etroplus canarensus may not bother in your size tank.(both from India)
Below E canarensus
View attachment 1501329
I'd also consider some of the smaller wild type Betta species becoming more and more available these days.
View attachment 1501330
Above and below is Betta albimarginatta from Borneo and Indonesia.
The mouth may look menacing, but it is a mouthbrooder, hence the gape.
View attachment 1501331
There are also a number of killifish from Thailand that (although not very large) make up for it with dramatic colors.
Some similar to the African Gularus type below

View attachment 1501332
Another consideration might be the Badis badis, stays about 3-4" and hangs out near the substrate, so not much of a danger to mid water swimming species in that size tank.
There are also some vegetarian (algae eating) Gobies that might work, but do serious research on their eating habits before buying.

I thought the Chromide needed some salt in the water?


I looked at those Bettas before, but isn't my harder water an issue for them?

 

[spitz006]

yes chromides need brackish water. Speaking of brackish, I have a species of betta that’s found in brackish waters in the wild. I think most betta can handle hard water (though I wouldn’t put any in brackish except the one I have, Betta mahachaiensis)

 

[duanes]

I thought the Chromide needed some salt in the water?


I looked at those Bettas before, but isn't my harder water an issue for them?

Although Orange Chromides are found (at times) in brackish water, they are also found far inland in lakes and rivers where water is fresh,
Brackish is not a requirement.
And the E canarensus is "only" found in highly oxygenated, flowing river systems of totally fresh water.
As far as the Bettas are concerned.
I kept mine a pH 7.8, 250 ppm Total Hardness water.
Another Maylasian species B edithae was kept in the same water and spawned.

 

[spitz006]

Not really accurate to say chromides are only found in brackish water "at times". They are primarily found in brackish water. The places where they're found in inland freshwater are suspected intentional releases.