Stocking Advice Please!

[Fujimoto]

Hi friends! I have a few things I’d like to discuss with like minded fish people

1. Toxotes Microlepis (otherwise known as small scale/spotted archerfish) I’ve been thinking about getting some of these guys for a while now as they’re smaller then regular archers, but I’ve been finding very conflicting info on them. Have any of you had any personal experience with these guys? I don’t have a tank set up for them or anything yet, I’m just dreaming of what fish I want next lol.

2. My mother just picked up what appears to be a 36 gallon corner bow front (it could be more like a 40 though, I couldn’t find an exact match for dimensions) for $20 at a thrift store. It came with basically a full set up minus the heater, and has no leaks so far, so super good deal. I’m pretty sure im gonna put loaches (not sure what kind yet though) and some glass cats in there, but I wanted your guys opinions on a centerpiece fish. I want some kind of oddball fish, but I’m not sure what kind yet. Would a brown ghost knife be okay in there or would it need a bigger tank eventually? I love black ghost knives but I dont have a big enough tank for one so I thought maybe a brown one would be okay in there.

3. I also have a 55 gallon amazon Biotope with 3 angelfish, some tetras, and corydoras. Would a brown ghost knife be okay in there? I think it might not be okay with the angels… If not I won’t be heartbroken

Thanks so much!

ps. I know it sounds like I’m a beginner at aquariums, but I’m actually not. I’ve just never seen an archerfish or brown knife in the flesh, so I wanted some people’s opinions and first hand experience before I seriously consider either fish. I know some stuff you see online isn’t quite true, but I also wouldn’t want to have unhappy fish, so I’m just trying to get some info for my specific situation.

 

[Fujimoto]

Update: I just visited my lfs and saw that they have some peacock eels. I don’t know much about them, but would one possibly work in my 36 gallon? Thanks!

 

[Snakefish]

Update: I just visited my lfs and saw that they have some peacock eels. I don’t know much about them, but would one possibly work in my 36 gallon? Thanks!

I can’t speak to your other questions, but I can’t imagine you would run into issues with a peacock eel in a 36. You would have more concern with tankmates and escape attempts than space, they stay pretty small. I’ve never owned one but my LFS has them all the time, usually housed with the ropefish. They’re usually just posted up in the sand with their heads sticking out.They seem to be a relatively docile and timid fish. I’d be more worried about tank security than anything.

 

[Fujimoto]

Thanks so much for your reply! That’s good to know!

 

[Joshuakahan]

Hi friends! I have a few things I’d like to discuss with like minded fish people

1. Toxotes Microlepis (otherwise known as small scale/spotted archerfish) I’ve been thinking about getting some of these guys for a while now as they’re smaller then regular archers, but I’ve been finding very conflicting info on them. Have any of you had any personal experience with these guys? I don’t have a tank set up for them or anything yet, I’m just dreaming of what fish I want next lol.

2. My mother just picked up what appears to be a 36 gallon corner bow front (it could be more like a 40 though, I couldn’t find an exact match for dimensions) for $20 at a thrift store. It came with basically a full set up minus the heater, and has no leaks so far, so super good deal. I’m pretty sure im gonna put loaches (not sure what kind yet though) and some glass cats in there, but I wanted your guys opinions on a centerpiece fish. I want some kind of oddball fish, but I’m not sure what kind yet. Would a brown ghost knife be okay in there or would it need a bigger tank eventually? I love black ghost knives but I dont have a big enough tank for one so I thought maybe a brown one would be okay in there.

3. I also have a 55 gallon amazon Biotope with 3 angelfish, some tetras, and corydoras. Would a brown ghost knife be okay in there? I think it might not be okay with the angels… If not I won’t be heartbroken

Thanks so much!

ps. I know it sounds like I’m a beginner at aquariums, but I’m actually not. I’ve just never seen an archerfish or brown knife in the flesh, so I wanted some people’s opinions and first hand experience before I seriously consider either fish. I know some stuff you see online isn’t quite true, but I also wouldn’t want to have unhappy fish, so I’m just trying to get some info for my specific situation.

I don’t know about the archers, but the peacock eel would be fine in the 36, but they’re kinda boring. You might see a head sometimes, that’s about it from my experience. I’ve never kept the brown ghost knife but I have kept African brown knives and those seem like they’d be more interesting since they very active for a knife

 

[Fujimoto]

Alright, do you think the africa brown knife would be okay in that tank permanently? Or only temporarily? Also, if I were to get the brown knife, would any tank mates be appropriate or do they do best by themselves?

Also, if I went with the peacock eel, would it be able to have any tank mates?

Thanks so so much for your reply!!!

I don’t know about the archers, but the peacock eel would be fine in the 36, but they’re kinda boring. You might see a head sometimes, that’s about it from my experience. I’ve never kept the brown ghost knife but I have kept African brown knives and those seem like they’d be more interesting since they very active for a knife

 

[Joshuakahan]

Alright, do you think the africa brown knife would be okay in that tank permanently? Or only temporarily? Also, if I were to get the brown knife, would any tank mates be appropriate or do they do best by themselves?

Also, if I went with the peacock eel, would it be able to have any tank mates?

Thanks so so much for your reply!!!

I’ve never kept brown knives, but I believe they only get around 8” and aren’t overly aggressive, I’d say any fish to big to eat and any fish that’s in the semi aggressive/territorial category that lives in similar water would be fine
Same for the peacock eel, just nothing that will pick at their nose sticking out from the substrate

 

[Hybridfish7]

Brown knives are fun, but might be too big for the corner bow, if you want an oddball centerpiece for loaches and glass cats you can get an African butterfly.

If you can't find microlepis you can go with blythii, they're pretty much the same care wise

I am not sure about putting the knife with angels and tetras, but if you're keen on it you could probably just get a 40B for one.

Do not get spiny eels.

 

[Joshuakahan]

Brown knives are fun, but might be too big for the corner bow, if you want an oddball centerpiece for loaches and glass cats you can get an African butterfly.

If you can't find microlepis you can go with blythii, they're pretty much the same care wise

I am not sure about putting the knife with angels and tetras, but if you're keen on it you could probably just get a 40B for one.

Do not get spiny eels.

Ya, I didn’t realize the knife was for the bow, but why do you say not to get spinys?

 

[Hybridfish7]

Ya, I didn’t realize the knife was for the bow, but why do you say not to get spinys?

I have a personal vendetta against people who keep macrognathus