Suggestions for "featured" fish

[NJ Devils Fan]

I have been thinking about only my tank(72g) and the equipment and I haven't really thought about what kind of fish I want. I want like a few "featured" fish, like discus, something along those lines(not them though). Can someone give me some suggestions. I want these fish to be able to live with other community fish. I will be getting a school of neons, and a few plecos, but other then that, I have no idea.

[Fishiebusiness]

I've always wanted some altum angels.

[carpguy]

I'm a biotype fan (not a purist, spell it -type not -tope) so if your going with neons and a plec I'd at least stay Amazonian. Which leaves you with a lot of beautiful fish to pick from.

I've been trying to figure out for the next tank (which will be much smaller than a 72) if I want to go Amazon or stay SE Asian. The Amazon tank I've been thinking of would include Rams as a centerpiece fish with everyone else built out from there. Rams may be a little small to carry a 72, depends on what you want. I've been wondering how compatible the Rams would be with a few Apistos -- a 72 might be big enough for everyone to have their own space. Discus have that whole higher temp thing and you're probably wise to steer clear. Angels or any of the medium-sized, evenly-tempered cichlids would be good candidates.

[NJ Devils Fan]

I was thinking about some rams. Can anyone tell me their experience with them?

[djlen]

As an alternative to Discus as a featured fish, I'm using Black Angels and some Gold angels to go with my school of Cardinal Tetras. Rams are a good choice for bottom dwellers, and then a few Otos and Cory Cats. Black Angels especially offset the Cardinals nicely.
Len

[Fishiebusiness]

I have some gold and black angels with my tetras now, but i really regret not going with something more natural like the wild type angels or the altums. The artificial patterns are starting to bother me.

[wetmanNY]

But you already have your featured fish: a school of neons --as many as you can afford.

A lot of small fish schooling in a big tank is a great theme!

The rest of the choices are to complement the feature.Don't make your community too complicated: since you'll have golden peat water and lots of tangles of wood, how about Farlowella cats or Sturisoma? I have both in one tank, but that's very amateurish. Much more interesting to have six of one species (Farlowella acus is the usual one) and see if they won't spawn. Now you're talking interesting.

Rams are great with the neons, except they want more warmth. Minor quibble.

[JohnMemorialHS]

I know this probably won't sound like a showcase fish to many people, but what about a fancy pleco? Like golden nugget? Or even zebra plecos? I personally find specialty plecos gets the most attention from people once they see it in a tank.

[carpguy]

Much in accordance with what the WetMan has to say, I find my schoolers to be more of a centerpiece than my centerpiece fish. Rams, I think, would be good by me as I'm just as happy to pass the interest to the tetras. The cichlids, nevetheless, occupy an important niche. Type not tope. It all depends on what you're looking for. Start from one point and work out: what fish can't you not have?

[NJ Devils Fan]

Well, I was looking at Cichlids, but everyone I was looking at was agressive(except the rams), so I don't want them. I don't really care for sharks either.

[lotsoffish]

how about some uarus? they set big and are very peacefull?

[StevieM]

I've have nothing but good things to say about Blue Rams. I've got 3 in my 20 gal Amazon-ish tank with a group of about 10 neons and a few painted tetra. Their colors are really starting to come out these days, especially since I put a Flora Grow bulb in there..it seems to make their colors really shine. The red streak in their eyes just jumps out at you against the black line running through it. As for behavior, I've never kept any other "ciclids" so I can't really compare. They do however show some really neat territory practices, even if they are pretty shy and all talk for their actions....it's still pretty cool to watch. I wish they would put a little more of a scare into the Neons, they are just too used to the tank and never really group together as much....maybe my tank is too small and they can all stay in eyeshot of each other, i dunno?? They don't really get too big either, so maybe consider some Bolivian Rams?? I heard they are a little bigger fully grown and a bit more aggressive. Some food for thought, GOOD LUCK!

steve

[lotsoffish]

Painted tetra hu? Where have you been shopping? Obviously not at my place!

[StevieM]

Actually, I got them at Markheim Pets on Sheridan Drive in Buffalo. They had them as "blueberry tetra" other store in the area have them as a variety of names, fruit tetra, painted tetra... but they all seemed to be the same fish shape, just different colors. Very similar to the bodies of glow-light tetras ( sp? ) I have seen around...the ones that have bright orange , green , etc. spines and clear bodies. They were one of my first purchases...actually my girls' purchase. They seemed to have lost some color intensity to almost a silver color over time so I am wondering if they are of the "dyed" variety of fish for show...if so, I wish i knew then what i know now!! I wouldn't have purchased them as I do not believe in that practice....


sm

[lotsoffish]

Yep they are dyed. Next time you are at Markiems ask Vince how his altums are doing!! And why don't you just come to my place for fish???

[superstein61]

NJ - I had the same dilemma for that same tank. I debated back and forth on Discus (decided against them for too much care requirements), Angels (still go back and forth but I think I have ruled these out - bad childhood experience with some agressive ones ) or ??

Here is what I decided:

First - my clown loaches are a must have - so 6 of them (getting them very small - about 1 1/2 inches). No tank should be without Clowns :D :D :D

2 Bristlenose Plecos

A school of Rummynose Tetras / Cardinals (probably 2/3 rummynose, 1/3 Cardinals)

A pair of Blue Rams

A pair of Apisto Cacutoides

A pair of one other small Apisto (probably Viejta or Borelli)

3 Pearl Gourami's

No, it isn't the Biotype / Biotope that some strive for - but It is some fish I find interesting. I basically decided in no Angels/ Discus - to instead add the Pearl Gourami's and an extra pair of Apisto's.

this should give me an intersting mix of fish at various levels in the tank. Good luck in making your choice

[NJ Devils Fan]

Superstein, some of those fish I am really considering. I already have a common pleco in my little tank, so I'm moving that guy to the big tank. I am definitely getting 2 bristlenose plecos. I would also like some rummynose tetras, some rams, and maybe something else that tickles my fancy;). Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Can anyone tell my some of their experiences with rams? That would really be a help.

[Ronne]

I have a pair of Bolivian Rams in a 55g. They are a great little cichlid, not aggressive but lots of personality. I've read that the blue rams can be quite "fragile" so that's why I opted for the Bolivians, I'm more than happy with my choice.

The only downfall I can think of is that it's difficult to sex Rams. I would prefer a male and female but I'm pretty sure I have two of one sex. You could get 4 or 5 and let a pair form and return the others to the LFS.