Topping 'er off

[GobyGuy5]

I'm finishing stocking my 15 gallon community tank, currently the following fish inhabit it:

3 Platys
1 Ottocinclus
1 Bumblebee Goby
1 Clown Loach (small)
2 Bolivian Rams

Currently I don't have any fish that swim around in the upper levels of the tank, and was wondering if you guys had any suggestions..............

[beviking]

Zebra danios, don't get more than 2-3 b/c they're so active. Hatchetfish come to mind also but they don't seem to do much.

[125gJoe]

I've never had Hatchet fish, but like their weird look..

[JohnMemorialHS]

hatchets (silver or marbled) are definitely jumpers, so make sure you have a pretty tightly sealed lid before you even consider them, but given the right environment, I think they're great additions.

[GobyGuy5]

I think fish that would jump, could be a problem, my tank is covered well, except for were my power filter is located, is it possible to remedy this?

[O-man21]

ummm.....butterfly fish maybe....no...might get pecked my platies...
zebras sound good....maybe some dwarf blue groumies

[wetmanNY]

If the fish you already have could vote, youir Clown Loach would vote for two more Clown Loaches, exactly his size...

If your rams start to get busy, they won't like any bottom dwellers around.

[NJ Devils Fan]

I would also suggest some zebras.

[GobyGuy5]

I need some experienced opinions:

Do dwarf gouramis hang out at the top of the tank or all levels?

[downloader]

how is the goby doing? He needs meat and salt! the goby is kind of timid, I would be suprised if he got to eat, with the platys in the tank. The clown loach is going to get big about 6" and they hate to be loners. The oto need to be in a school also. You have quite the mix in your tank. Good luck trying to sort it out.

[GobyGuy5]

how is the goby doing?

He's doing fine, it's true that with the platys it is difficult to feed him, but he does eat, Simply because I put in enough bloodworms for all (for some weird reason he has grown to hate brine shrimp, he used to eat them, now he spits 'em out)
I have read that Bumblebee Gobys are completely adaptable to fresh water was well. However, although he is doing fine in my community tank, I plan to putting him in a species tank with 5 other bumblebees, a divider, and three knight gobies (BW fish)
I would have the salinity at about 0.005 or so, which would suit both fish fine. I felt I should do this because it is somewhat difficult to feed him, and since he only takes bloodworms, he is limiting the amount of variety my community tank gets, and also because I might get the bumblebees to breed in BW.


The clown loach is going to get big about 6" and they hate to be loners.

Yep, I'm aware of this, and plan on moving him out (*sob*) He's already put on an inch or so, and since he's been rather vulnerable to ich (appeared, disappeared, reappeared) I felt that I couldn't keep him to much longer. I don't have the room in the tank for a couple of friends, so he's gona have to go :(
Once him and the goby move out I'll replace them with an USD catfish that should fill the void, as well as do much better under the conditions


The oto need to be in a school also.

Although I didn't know this one, the reason I only had one otocinclus in my tank, was because I was having an absoulutely terrible time getting those guys to acclimate now, I have another oto that looks like he's going to make it, that puts the dead to surviving ratio @ 2:7! As for the otos needing schools, I find this difficult to believe, as in my tank they all part their ways and hunt for algae

[carpguy]

Dwarf gouramis are an all levels fish, according to my fish book. It lists my pearl gouramis as "upper, middle", but I'd say they're pretty much all as well.

If you're interested in danios, I've been under the impression that the blue and pearl danios are a bit mellower than the zebras. Still jumpers (I think most surface feeders are). Upward pointing mouths are a sign of surface feeders -- danios and hatchetfish all have them. Just something to look for, if thats what you're looking for.

As far as the jumping goes, I tried to keep the hole in the cover as small as possible and haven't had any trouble so I haven't taken any other measures. I once thought of rigging up a guard made out of a piece of screen to cover the little access hole.

HTH

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by GobyGuy5
....... my tank is covered well, except for were my power filter is located, is it possible to remedy this? If it's just a small area, I wouldn't worry about it. Filters, HOB type, always have some space near them and it should be ok. Hope you get some good Hatchets! I'd like to see pics of them too.. :)

[GobyGuy5]

If it's just a small area, I wouldn't worry about it. Filters, HOB type, always have some space near them and it should be ok.

Just out of curiosity is that because the filters output is there, hindering surface feeders from going there?

Thank you all for your help and advice, since there probably won't be a jumping problem for me, I've settled on Marbled Hatchets, I'll get them as soon as I finish planting my tank with some floating plants. Once I get my hands on a digital camera, I'll show you guys my creation!-Again thank you all for your input!

[Rocketman]

Goby, I can help you pick out a digital camera. PM me, or email me, (yodosaysnono@hotmail.com) if you would like to talk.

It's just that I hate seeing people waste their money on crappy kodak's and sony's.