African Biotope help

[Hayabusa]

Not sure if this is the right section, if not mods please move it I was unsure where to place it.

Started out by wanting a senegalus birchir and has now slowly turned into a full planted biotope (or trying to do that anyway)

The tank is 48x12x18, I have sand substrate, going with a black background.

Fish will be senegalus (maybe two?), some congo tetras (unsure on numbers, advice welcome) and spotted climbing perch (again unsure on numbers here).

Plants I'm quite clueless on, but from research I have found a few ideas, African water fern, Anubias, Vallisneria and Eleocharis, any more ideas on this is more than welcome, I have a decent light but wont be having any CO2, at least not to start with, may well introduce a home made system down the line.

How does this sound? help with plants and stock are very welcome, also plant placement is open to suggestion.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hayabusa]

Oh meant to add I would quite like an eel, one site I looked at suggested having a spiny eel in an African biotope, but I havnt found one thats from Africa, if anyone knows of one let me know

 

[micstarz]

If the congo tetras are small enough, the ctenopoma and the bichirs will eat them all.

 

[fredmanby]

Oh meant to add I would quite like an eel, one site I looked at suggested having a spiny eel in an African biotope, but I havnt found one thats from Africa, if anyone knows of one let me know

There are spiny eels (genus Mastacembelus) from Africa, and it seems there are some species in Congo -- whether they're available/suitable I have absolutely no idea! See for example http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=10092

Fred

 

[Hayabusa]

If the congo tetras are small enough, the ctenopoma and the bichirs will eat them all.

Yeah this is one thing that concerns me, I really want some kind of mid water schooling type fish, and congo tetras are the only ones I can seem to find that fit the bill.

Open to suggestions, any idea what else I could try?

And on the eel yeah, I dont think they are really available, so might give it a miss.

Thinking now, senegalus, congo tetras, upside down catfish (have a large one already around 4"), climbing perch, elephant nose and maybe an african butterfly fish.

Thoughts?