G.n.sp. "Paso Pache II" (ex-meridionalis) tankmates

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
darthodo

darthodo

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 4, 2006
914
0
0
58
Georgia
I have a pair of these little eartheaters in a 20 long. They tend to like the cooler temps, but I really am not planning on going under 68F and not much over 72F if I can help it. I'd like to stock the tank with some type of catfish in addition to the 6 bloodfin tetras I'd like to add. I'm thinking I'd like a small pleco or oto-type fish for cleaning algae and maybe a smaller type catfish for eating the leftover food off the bottom. I'd like everything to stay small. Any suggestions? Am I over-stocked already? I generally put one fish in a big tank so this smaller, community-type setup is kinda new to me. I am using pool filer sand as the substrate and I have some driftwood, fake plants, and a couple of pieces of rock in there.

I'd ideally like a tri of panda croys and a bristlenose or rubberlip pleco. Otos seem to be very delicate fish, but I like them.
 
I'd bumb up the tank size. Are you trying to go for more of a Uruguian fauna tank? Well here are some fish that can handle the cooler temps: Buenos Aires Tetras, peppered corys, bronze corys, goodeids, mountain minows, and there are some others but my brain is turned off. Ken (fishfarm) and Dogofwar have collected these guys so I'm sure they'll give there 2 cents.
 
I have a pair from Ken Davis...they started out in a planted 29, the male chased the female relentlessly. Now they are in a 75 with a pair of Crenicichla minuano. The male gymno and pike liplocked for a bit but they are doing fine now. I honestly haven't worried about the temperature, they are at around 80.
 
Good to know. I ended up putting 6 bloodfin tetras and 3 otos in the tank with the Gymnos. The male really isn't too harsh on the female and neither fish attack the tetras or otos. Thing is, if I were going to try to duplicate the temps that folks say these fish need I'd have to get a chiller, which I won't do. I have no heater on the tank and it stays at room temp which is around 76F. In the winter the temp may drop a little cuz we like it cold in the house so we may get to 68- or 70F. That's the best I can do about the temps. They seem to be doing fine.
 
I have always wondered about the temperature issue. It certainly makes sense intuitively, but I wonder if anybody has tested this with proper controls? i.e. Two tanks with the same stock, one at ~80F constantly and the other going through the cooling period?

My balzanis are doing great at 80F, and are breeding like rabbits...
 
Well I had a guy on another, highly touted and seemingly educational forum, that basically said if you can't duplicate the temps from where they are collected from you shouldn't keep them. So I'm a bad fish keeper.
 
darthodo;3181840; said:
Well I had a guy on another, highly touted and seemingly educational forum, that basically said if you can't duplicate the temps from where they are collected from you shouldn't keep them. So I'm a bad fish keeper.
Click to expand...

Most people say that, so it really came as no surprise. I'm not saying it's not true - just waiting to be convinced. The conclusion that they do "better" with a cooling period should only be drawn after a proper comparison is made. I've done my homework on this subject, but have yet to see anything other than hypotheses/theories/guesses.

Please know that my complains are not directed at you...
 
peathenster;3181936; said:
Most people say that, so it really came as no surprise. I'm not saying it's not true - just waiting to be convinced. The conclusion that they do "better" with a cooling period should only be drawn after a proper comparison is made. I've done my homework on this subject, but have yet to see anything other than hypotheses/theories/guesses.

Please know that my complains are not directed at you...
Click to expand...

I don't feel like you are directing anything at me. I agree with you and appreciate your comments.
 
There is an interesting discussion about balzanii and temp on the CRC, thread: Heckelii and Balzanii. The guy has his balzanii with heckelii at warm temp (doesnt say how warm) and the fish lived for 5-6 years.

IMO you should be fine with what you have. Though in the wild the temp will drop more than 68F, it is still a drop in temp and the fish should be fine. Peathenster it would be interesting if someone did a study on the affects of temperature on different species, and to see if there was a difference between WC and captive bred.
 
abarilot;3182024; said:
Peathenster it would be interesting if someone did a study on the affects of temperature on different species, and to see if there was a difference between WC and captive bred.
Click to expand...

Excellent point about wc vs. tank-bred individuals. The experiment should be straightforward, but I guess it's too much trouble to just settle a point ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom