Aquarium stocking suggestions anyone? I like odd fish!

[teddrummered]

Hello my names Ed

Ive got a big mature planted tank 4ft 90gals or so which was previously home to 5 axolotls, although its changed abit since these photo, plants grown alot, more driftwood caves etc I really like the way It looks and the ease of maintenence (every plant in there is attached to some wood or rock so easy to move about, sand is nice and easy to maintain) I was wondering instead of re-jigging the arrangement are there any fish that would love this set up as it is? my favorite suggestions made to me so far are birchirs, a black knife ghost (I know he will eventually outgrow the 90gals but I can rehome when its time) Just puffers, rope fish, gouramis, angel fish.

its changed abit, the ferns are even bigger, water hyacinth pretty much covers the surface (lots of shade), and another cave structure on the right hand side.


What i like the idea of,
-2 or 3 ropefish (only coz 3 seems to be what everyone suggests if one is better so be it.)
-a senegal bichir
This is because of my nice sand substrate and nice large dark caves.
-A black knife ghost fish (the main feature fish) (the ex-axolotl tank has plenty of water hyacinth for shade as axolotls are not fond of light and apparantly neither are black knives.)
........ and then thought something to fill the gaps,
-3 or so angel fish or pearl gouramis
OR
- a small school of larger tetras (only big enough as not to become lunch at some point)

Any complaints bout my idea? 3 ropefish in a 4ft not acceptable? BKGF a bad idea? anyone think of something more suitable? Something that loves sand, shade, drift wood and java ferns?

was gonna go all out planted with substrate change n lighting etc but thought why change a thing if there is something that would love it and make a home of what it is!

Was also previously thinking lowering water level and make adjustments for mud skippers as thought theyd be pretty funky but just dont think i can live with that scummy water line!! grrr!


Also there are a large breeding population of cherry shrimp hiding about the place for light tank maintenance and to be fish fodder, the shrimp are in there to be a nutritious snack if anyone is lucky enough to catch one but wouldnt want the population destroyed in one night by a particularly agile agressive hunter id want the population to tick over and stay somewhat stable, the axolotls caught a fair few but they bred quicker than they were munched. Although I appreciate it may not be possible but would hope It could carry on like this as im sure the fish would love the chance to chase and eat bitesized shrimp, I guess the trick would be lots of cover for em! This isnt an essential i just think it would be good for carnivorous fish to have something to hunt, the axolotls sure apreciated it! I guess puffers may be out as even dwarfs brutalised my bro's shrimps in one night, admittidly that was in a 60ltr so nowhere for em to run!

Any comments/suggestions welcome, the tank is just sitting with a few white clouds and the cherry shrimp right now and im gaggin for something intresting to look at!

Oh also have a wormery out back to use as treats, so meaty snacks are not a problem if live food is needed for some species (ala prehistoric monster fish, yup considered those too!) its all ready to go i just need fish!

Thanks

Ed

 

[alexpie001]

yea sounds like a good plan, BGKF are shy when smaller and take a long time to grow so besides that all should be well

 

[NCStateFisher]

looks like a perfect bichir tank, i'd recommend getting either 2 senegals or 1 senegal and one delhezi, plenty of room for em and lots of places to hide

 

[teddrummered]

Whey a reply already, thanks! This is exactly my thoughts I was just hoping I wouldnt be walking into a disaster, aggro between the floor dwellers etc. May even leave out the filler fish (angels or gouamis or small school of larger tetra) and give the black ghost all the swimming space, from what ive heard they can be abit seclusive and just thought something else could make use of the space too, just dont want to draw attention away from the knife when he's out and about, just tryin to balance it all bottom, mid top dwellers etc.
Also opinions on rope fish, I was thinking 2 rope fish and 1 senegal bichir should make a nice bottom dwelling team but from what im reading its either 1 ropefish or 3 or more as a group is this true? would I be better off maybe with 2 or 3 bichirs instead with them being smaller? or maybe leave out bichirs and just 3 rope fish (I just dont want to over stock, rather give em space as theyre not small fish). Ideally size wise and tank size i think 2 rope fish and 1 bichir in my opinion should work, it was more than adequate for 5 x 1 foot long axolotls, but please tell me if i could be making a better choice with numbers! Glad to hear that the knife fish could work, always wanted one and found em in my local for £12 for a 4/5 incher hopefully I can get a coulple years in before it gets too big!

(edit) Actually leaving out the angels would leave me with a nice prehistoric looking setup with some truley prehistoric beasties, wat u think?

 

[teddrummered]

Oh looked at that delhezi bichir, just stunning, are they similar sized to the senegal? do the different species interact together or do they keep themselves to themselves? say would i get more sociable goings on with 2x senegal or are they indifferent?