40 gallon hillstream

[TheFishDodo]

So after my attempt at a biotope failed I have decided to use my aquarium (36in by 15 in by 16 in) as a hillstream setup. I have an extremely vague idea on what I want to stock it with but I will deftinelty need some help finalizing it.
The stocking I have so far is
1- Cichlid without a swim bladder like a buffalo head cichlid
A school of mid sized danios or some other fish which is similar in appearance
3 or 4 Hillstream Loaches or Panda Has A
If anyone knows of any other fish which could fit in this stocking list please tell me.

 

[duanes]

There are a number of cichlids from Mexico and Central America that come from riffle, high current areas, although they still have swim bladders.The genus Rheoheros suggests just that a rheophillic environment is normal
R lentiginosus is one

its close cousin R coerulius
Theraps irregularus, and bulleri are also fast water dwellers, although your tank will be a bit too small for them in the end.
As are the even larger Tomocichla that really meed a minimum 6ft tank
T tuba

and T asfraci

For any of the above, linear flow, adaquatly and constantly moving, very well aerated water will be needed.
If water isn't moving fast enough (strong powerheads, or water pumps) I find they are prone to bacterial infections, and get hyper aggressive.
I have seen that same infections appear with African fast water dwellers like the genus Steatocranus (Buffalo heads), especially as they mature, and in nature move to faster and faster waters.
and my favorite of the Africans rheophillis types, genus Teleogramma (especially T depressum).

 

[TheFishDodo]

There are a number of cichlids from Mexico and Central America that come from riffle, high current areas, although they still have swim bladders.The genus Rheoheros suggests just that a rheophillic environment is normal
R lentiginosus is one

its close cousin R coerulius
Theraps irregularus, and bulleri are also fast water dwellers, although your tank will be a bit too small for them in the end.
As are the even larger Tomocichla that really meed a minimum 6ft tank
T tuba

and T asfraci

For any of the above, linear flow, adaquatly and constantly moving, very well aerated water will be needed.
If water isn't moving fast enough (strong powerheads, or water pumps) I find they are prone to bacterial infections, and get hyper aggressive.
I have seen that same infections appear with African fast water dwellers like the genus Steatocranus (Buffalo heads), especially as they mature, and in nature move to faster and faster waters.
and my favorite of the Africans rheophillis types, genus Teleogramma (especially T depressum).

I'll have to look into them. I gave up on my acara biotope after my heater melted draining my water from the tank all over my floor. I want to do a cichlid community tank but without plants or tannins so I went witha hillstream but if you know of a better setup which could involve easy to care for plants i would love to know.

 

[duanes]

If you have hard, alkaline water coming from the tap, the above cichlids are perfect. Most waters in Mexico tend to be alkaline and hard, unlike the softer water of the Amazonia, so no need for tannins.
Although with any fast moving water species, water quality is more important than species from oxbows or swamps.
Amy slacking off of water changes can become quickly problematic.
My Rheoheros ignored, and tended to leave non-cichlids alone, so very few aggression problems, as long as the water moved fast enough. I used mollies and swordtails as dithers.
That said, they did appreciate dead spots below or behind rocks or logs to rest.