need some ideas please

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
fishnoob;2000800; said:
Out of the list you provided, I really like the following :
Botia striata
Botia histrionica
Botia kubotai
Barbus pentazona
Zebra danios
Rasbora pauciperforata
Hillstream loaches
Garra flavatra
Corydoras
my favorites of this list would be the three diff kinds of botia and corydoras. now I need to find out what can go together and how many and what not. google time :)
The only problem with hillstream loaches is they are coldwater species so they may be unable to cope with the tropical environment especially with the botias which are quite boisterous fish to begin with.

Almost all loaches like to have gentle to powerful currents in their tanks so you must provide powerheads for this very reason. I noticed they tend to move sluggishly without the currents.

I'd stock the 55g this way.
8 Botia striata/Botia histrionica/Botia kubotai
4 Garra flavatra
15 Barbus pentazona
8-10 Rasbora pauciperforata
15 zebra danios

If you can't find that rasbora, try Southland Aquatics. They do have a reputation for stocking rare fish.
 
Lupin;2001234; said:
The only problem with hillstream loaches is they are coldwater species so they may be unable to cope with the tropical environment especially with the botias which are quite boisterous fish to begin with.

Almost all loaches like to have gentle to powerful currents in their tanks so you must provide powerheads for this very reason. I noticed they tend to move sluggishly without the currents.

I'd stock the 55g this way.
8 Botia striata/Botia histrionica/Botia kubotai
4 Garra flavatra
15 Barbus pentazona
8-10 Rasbora pauciperforata
15 zebra danios

If you can't find that rasbora, try Southland Aquatics. They do have a reputation for stocking rare fish.
the 8 botia's do you mean 8 each or 8 total between the 3?
 
fishnoob;2001299; said:
the 8 botia's do you mean 8 each or 8 total between the 3?
Total of 8 although you can add 4 more in it. Get one species only but you can work out 8 of one species and 6 of another species. Do provide plenty of driftwoods and smooth river rocks though. They tend to nip if uncomfortable and insecured.
 
fishnoob;2001949; said:
where can i find driftwood and river rock?
Petstores or garden centers usually have those driftwoods. Expect them to leach tannic acids though making your tank water look rather yellow but do not worry too much about it. While it may also lower the pH, the fish I've suggested to you will appreciate it well enough considering they originated from soft acidic fast flowing rivers of Asia.

The river rocks can be obtained from petstores and garden centers as well. You can collect some in your local river provided they are clean. Do not place the rocks in boiling water to clean them. There is always a possibility they will explode causing serious injuries to you and damages to the property. Use hot (but not boiling) water with salt.
 
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