Bottom dweller suggestions
- Thread starter LukeOscar
- Start date
Size of tank and planned tankmates would go a long way in helping get some decent suggestions.
This is what needs to be answered before any serious replies can be given.
For an average sized tank and fish I would say corydoras of some type would be the ideal choice.
Loaches, so many sizes and types. Get a group.
Agree about tank size, tank mates, and water parameters.
And...... is the tank intended to be a geographically correct biotope? (I ask because I'm anal about "not" combining species not found together in nature)
"If" this is a Central or South American biotope, Awaous banana are fairly active, geographically correct, will (over time) reach at least 12", and can hold their own against similar sized cichlids, or rambunctious species.. The one above (at about 6") was easily kept with Panamanian Andinoacara coerleopunctatus in hard water, with pH above 8.
And...... is the tank intended to be a geographically correct biotope? (I ask because I'm anal about "not" combining species not found together in nature)
"If" this is a Central or South American biotope, Awaous banana are fairly active, geographically correct, will (over time) reach at least 12", and can hold their own against similar sized cichlids, or rambunctious species.. The one above (at about 6") was easily kept with Panamanian Andinoacara coerleopunctatus in hard water, with pH above 8.
Unfortunately I'm ignorant and I have a 2 centrals with the south Americans. The tank is majority south American. Mostly smaller cichlids like vieja and severums. The only monsters will likely be the cichla Azul and arowana. Rest are moderately sized cichlids like severums. So as long as a peacock bass and arowana won't eventually eat the awaous. It seems like a good candidate.
Combining has little to do with ignorance, but instead, personal preference, and research.
The largest wrenches in keeping S Americans, with N Americans, are water parameters.
Central (north) Americans like Vieja, have evolved to live in high pH, mineral rich water parameters.
South Americans like severums and Cichla, have evolved to live in the soft, low pH water parameters.
Problems of keeping them together can often be mitigated with lots of large water changes, that hold nitrate to a non-stressful level (for me, < 5ppm).
Above Central American water parameters where Vieja are found.
Below severum habitat.
Almost the difference between fresh, and ocean water.
The largest wrenches in keeping S Americans, with N Americans, are water parameters.
Central (north) Americans like Vieja, have evolved to live in high pH, mineral rich water parameters.
South Americans like severums and Cichla, have evolved to live in the soft, low pH water parameters.
Problems of keeping them together can often be mitigated with lots of large water changes, that hold nitrate to a non-stressful level (for me, < 5ppm).
Above Central American water parameters where Vieja are found.
Below severum habitat.
Almost the difference between fresh, and ocean water.
do you think severums can adapt like cichla? cichla do just fine in florida waters and the florida canals range from 4.0-8.5 or is it just because the nitrate levels are always low?