I do like this idea a lot but I wasn't sure if a 75 was large enough to house delhezi. If it's large enough I may go this route. Congo tetra's are actually my favorite tetras. Would the bichirs tolerate pictus catfish or would they bother them? I need to read up on bichirs because if I can house 1 or 2 delhezi then this is the route I think I'll go.
Looking for new fish ideas - 75 gallon
- Thread starter Etan
- Start date
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I do like this idea a lot but I wasn't sure if a 75 was large enough to house delhezi. If it's large enough I may go this route. Congo tetra's are actually my favorite tetras. Would the bichirs tolerate pictus catfish or would they bother them? I need to read up on bichirs because if I can house 1 or 2 delhezi then this is the route I think I'll go.
The beautiful thing about starting a new tank is learning what you like, trying different fish, taking a chance on things that may or may not work, and discovering unexpected love of new fish. If you are starting from scratch and getting juveniles or at least younger fish; it gives you a little bit of wiggle room to try different fish until you discover what's important for you. Then you'll have your main fish that you tailor tankmates, decorations, and water parameters around. You'll have your established tankmates, and then maybe a species or two you switch out and try every once in awhile. We can give suggestions, but the fun part is discovering it for yourself! Follow some basic guidelines on tankmates, but feel free to add in a wildcard within reason.
I say this because I had my mind set on the fish I wanted and it's changed vastly since starting this tank. I got a leopard bush fish spontaneously and not only is it my favorite fish, but it thrives in my tank. I would have never gotten it with the info on it via internet because it says it doesn't do well with cichlids, but every fish is different and mine just works!
as far as bichirs, they aren't necessarily aggressive fish, they are opportunists. Anything they can fit in their mouths, be aware they may eat. Some bichirs may not touch a thing, while others will eat something larger than you realized they could handle. If you wanted to try one out, a senegal is a good start because it's a smaller species and it's mouth isn't as large as say; an ornate. It's also cheaper as well! If you find that you enjoyed your first bichir, add another or try something more advanced. If you want a bichir and you want to see more activity, you may consider looking into reedfish and get a few. They can be timid eaters, but be creative about feeding time and they'll be able to eat. I've got 3 in my tank and there is always one swimming around the tank looking like a sea serpent or water dragon. They are housed with cichlids and the cichlids don't even act like they exist. They can also go brackish so if you do decide on a puffer, they will do just fine.
As far as personable fish, most cichlid are since they are smart. It will really just come down to the fish itself. Kind of like a cat, they are domesticated to be a companion, but not every cat welcomes you when you arrive home or gives you attention unless you have food. There is one fish that is pretty special and the ultimate oddball. It's called a "freshwater dolphin fish" and it's part of the elephant nose family. Be warned, they have an incredibly high mortality rate, very difficult to find, there isn't as much info on them, and they are sensitive to chemicals, metal, and magnets. You want a pain in the arse but personable fish, that's my dream fish. Had a chance to get one once, but turned it down because it was too large. Look up "freshwater dolphin fish" or moryrus tapirus/longirostris/kanuume for pictures and videos. Frankly, most elephant nose are personable and friendly.
I say this because I had my mind set on the fish I wanted and it's changed vastly since starting this tank. I got a leopard bush fish spontaneously and not only is it my favorite fish, but it thrives in my tank. I would have never gotten it with the info on it via internet because it says it doesn't do well with cichlids, but every fish is different and mine just works!
as far as bichirs, they aren't necessarily aggressive fish, they are opportunists. Anything they can fit in their mouths, be aware they may eat. Some bichirs may not touch a thing, while others will eat something larger than you realized they could handle. If you wanted to try one out, a senegal is a good start because it's a smaller species and it's mouth isn't as large as say; an ornate. It's also cheaper as well! If you find that you enjoyed your first bichir, add another or try something more advanced. If you want a bichir and you want to see more activity, you may consider looking into reedfish and get a few. They can be timid eaters, but be creative about feeding time and they'll be able to eat. I've got 3 in my tank and there is always one swimming around the tank looking like a sea serpent or water dragon. They are housed with cichlids and the cichlids don't even act like they exist. They can also go brackish so if you do decide on a puffer, they will do just fine.
As far as personable fish, most cichlid are since they are smart. It will really just come down to the fish itself. Kind of like a cat, they are domesticated to be a companion, but not every cat welcomes you when you arrive home or gives you attention unless you have food. There is one fish that is pretty special and the ultimate oddball. It's called a "freshwater dolphin fish" and it's part of the elephant nose family. Be warned, they have an incredibly high mortality rate, very difficult to find, there isn't as much info on them, and they are sensitive to chemicals, metal, and magnets. You want a pain in the arse but personable fish, that's my dream fish. Had a chance to get one once, but turned it down because it was too large. Look up "freshwater dolphin fish" or moryrus tapirus/longirostris/kanuume for pictures and videos. Frankly, most elephant nose are personable and friendly.
Very true, I've been keeping fish off and on for about the past 20 years. I just really got back into it about 5 years ago. I loved my Red Devil and will definitely get one again some day but I'm ready to try something new.
I may go with a congo biotope. Delhezi, congo's and some sort of river cichlid or two. Pelvicachromis Taeniatus are gorgeous fish. I'll just need to do some serious shopping for fake plants. I'm the opposite of a green thumb so growing plants in a tank is a no go for me. I tried it in the past and failed miserably.
I may go with a congo biotope. Delhezi, congo's and some sort of river cichlid or two. Pelvicachromis Taeniatus are gorgeous fish. I'll just need to do some serious shopping for fake plants. I'm the opposite of a green thumb so growing plants in a tank is a no go for me. I tried it in the past and failed miserably.
Ugh I'm the same way! I used to have to throw out my plants regularly when I sat dogs because I felt like people must think if I can't take care of a plant, how can I take care of their precious dogs! It's the same for aquarium plants, I just don't "get" them. I'm an assassin to even the hardiest of plants.
Vallis and java fern are the only things I can grow lol. Delhezi should be fine, they only get to about 14". Like lauren said, all bichirs have very big mouths so stick to fish that are larger than 3".
my delhezi grew to right around considered "max size" of 14" in my 75 and eventually 90 and he was a BEAST. tank size was fine though as in his older age and general fatness he got lazy. wouldnt put pictus in with small bichirs, too fast to the food where as bichirs can take a little bit to find the food sometimes
Still haven't figured out exactly what I want but I have narrowed it down.
1st option
2 Delhezi
10 Congo Tetras
1 Brown Knife
3 Ctenopoma
2nd
15 Rummynose
3 Pictus Cats
7 Khuli Loaches
10 Marbled Hatchet
2 Festivum or some other medium size fish that isn't an angel so suggestions here would be welcome.
I really like the idea of giving bichirs a shot so it's between that and an active diverse community tank. I have never actually had a community tank or a tank with more than 2 or 3 species in it. If I could get some good suggestions for communities with fish that have fish in all level of the tank I would appreciate it.
1st option
2 Delhezi
10 Congo Tetras
1 Brown Knife
3 Ctenopoma
2nd
15 Rummynose
3 Pictus Cats
7 Khuli Loaches
10 Marbled Hatchet
2 Festivum or some other medium size fish that isn't an angel so suggestions here would be welcome.
I really like the idea of giving bichirs a shot so it's between that and an active diverse community tank. I have never actually had a community tank or a tank with more than 2 or 3 species in it. If I could get some good suggestions for communities with fish that have fish in all level of the tank I would appreciate it.
Long term, I think you will prefer the first option. The 2nd option will be more colourful and active initially but I find that after a few months, the novelty of watching identical fish follow each other around like mindless drones wears off. Predatory an/or oddball fish like those in your first option will always be fascinating to watch, no matter how long you have had them. Option 1 would also occupy all levels of the tank: bichirs + knife at bottom, congos in middle and ctenopoma at top.
Long term, I think you will prefer the first option. The 2nd option will be more colourful and active initially but I find that after a few months, the novelty of watching identical fish follow each other around like mindless drones wears off. Predatory an/or oddball fish like those in your first option will always be fascinating to watch, no matter how long you have had them. Option 1 would also occupy all levels of the tank: bichirs + knife at bottom, congos in middle and ctenopoma at top.
The more I think about it you are probably right. I live in a small town so I'm going to have to find the delhezis online. What else besides cctenopoma do you think might work?
The more I think about it you are probably right. I live in a small town so I'm going to have to find the delhezis online. What else besides cctenopoma do you think might work?
Well, if you want to stick to the African oddball theme then the only other surface dwelling fish I can think of would be African butterfly fish. Microctenopoma ansorgii could work too but I'd be worried that some of the larger fish would eat them. They are also fairly rare so you might have a hard time getting hold of them.
