What would you do with this tank?

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RyanM

RyanM

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Oct 13, 2016
250
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Canton, OH
So I have an "extra" 53g (36x18x19") that I am unsure what I want to stock with and am looking for some ideas. Probably will do either CA or SA and want something that has personality and interesting behavior.

I have always wanted to try a group of Apistogramma with a couple of type of cool tetra, but they tend to be finicky and I would have to do some modification of our fairly hard city water.

Thoughts?
 
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I would go for a cryptoheros type fish. Some of the smaller species you could probably do a 1m 3f group. Nanoluteus would be a great choice. Jaff rapps also has Septemfasciatus which are very rare and should also work in a group.

If you don't like those you could also do a pair of some of the mid size CA species. Panamensis, salvini, centrarchus, sajica. Would all be good choices. With some swordtails or other livebearers. Would be a great display.
 
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Gourami Swami said:
I would go for a cryptoheros type fish. Some of the smaller species you could probably do a 1m 3f group. Nanoluteus would be a great choice. Jaff rapps also has Septemfasciatus which are very rare and should also work in a group.

If you don't like those you could also do a pair of some of the mid size CA species. Panamensis, salvini, centrarchus, sajica. Would all be good choices. With some swordtails or other livebearers. Would be a great display.
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I currently have HRPs and Myrnae, so I love the "Cryptos", so the Septemfaciatus are a good idea. Also like the Salvini but would have thought they get too big for this size tank.

I have always wanted to have some nicaraguensis, would a pair of those work?
 
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RyanM said:
I currently have HRPs and Myrnae, so I love the "Cryptos", so the Septemfaciatus are a good idea. Also like the Salvini but would have thought they get too big for this size tank.

I have always wanted to have some nicaraguensis, would a pair of those work?
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Salvini can get to about 7", more commonly I see them max out around 5 or 6". they are very aggressive so you'd want to keep an eye on them. But it could work.
Nicaraguans I think get a little bit large for a 36" tank unfortunately

Some thoricthys would work as well if you're tired of the cryptos. Pasionis is a nice yellow species that is supposed to be pretty docile. Could probably do a small group in here.
 
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You might loom into west african dwarfs for that size tank too. Many have similar pairing behavior, but many don't get as big and boisterous. Plus live plants aren't a problem with them. They also tolerate harder water often just fine. I keep wallaceochromis rubrolabiatus in a tank that size problem free.
 
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RyanM said:
I like the Thoricthys idea, but I felt like this may be a little small. Maybe start with a group and once a pair develops, remove the rest?
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Yes, but depends on the aggression of the pair. I would start out w/ at least 6. Add some tetras or livebarers.
 
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