Freshwater fish that look like saltwater ones?

[kdklaff]

Hi, I heard that there are freshwater tropical fish that look like saltwater fish, is that true? Are their colors as vibrant? I'd love to get some more information on how to get a tank together with these fish? I wonder if someone out there could provide a list of species and a couple of hints, perhaps a good book or magazine? Thanks for your help!

[Anaxus]

The best looking freshwater fish in my opinion is the Microgeophagus ramirezi "butterfly or blue ram". When they are mature they have very vibrant colors.
Also some tetras have nice colors that are similar to marine fish.

[kdklaff]

Thanks, I'll look into those.

[ChilDawg]

Malawians and Victorians (Cichlids, that is)

[kdklaff]

Yes, very nice colors on those, the butterflies are pretty too.

[ChilDawg]

I love the look of Butterflies/Rams, and I would highly recommend them for an established tank. If your water isn't conducive to them, I would go with (again, using an established tank) the Malawians and Victorians. Can you tell us a little about your tanks (if already established) and your local tap water?

[kdklaff]

Right now I only have one fish tank its 20gal. It’s freshwater with the tap water provided by Sacramento County. I have treated the water with a treatment solution I got at Petco. I am inheriting a 55gal tank from a friend who is moving. She already has fish in it, but I wanted to try a salt-water tank. Everyone I have talked to says it's not a good idea, because they require a lot of attention and I travel quite a bit. I thought perhaps I could establish a saltwater feel with freshwater fish, you know sand and coral like rocks with vibrant colored fish? I have had fish most of my life, though this tank will be the largest. Thank you everyone for your input, just let me know what information I can provide to help you help me. This is great.

[superstein61]

Clown loaches - but they aren't really suiatable for you if you only have a 20gallon tank

[OrionGirl]

Well, not to stray off topic, but a 55 gallon SW tank is perfectly workable as long as you can get it set up and running, and provide the same level of maintenance as a FW tank will require (ie, topoffs of FW, regular water changes, regular feedings). If anything, SW can be much less maintenance than a FW setup.

[kdklaff]

I 'd like to hear more about saltwater, I have never had a saltwater tank, that could be a problem right? Are saltwater fish expensive?

[OrionGirl]

SW fish cost more than the average FW fish, and setting up a SW tank costs more as well, depending on what you want to stock. Running a SW tank is different that a FW tank, but it's not harder. Years ago, you used to have to mix the salt yourself, and that could be hard. Now, you purchase a prepared mix (such as Instant Ocean), and it's pretty easy.

Come check out the marine section here! Search around for setting up a tank, and you'll get a feel for what you'd need to purchase, and how much it will cost. Doing a 55 FOWLR could be done fairly cheap--under $400, less since you won't need to buy the tank. And you could easily spread that cost out over several months, so it wouldn't require a huge amount up front.

[kdklaff]

Thanks everyone, I really want saltwater, so I am going to check out the marine section, if it ends up being too much, I'll be back. Thanks again for all your input.

[BBN]

You know what cracks me up? The people that have never owned a SW tank advise you not to get one because it's too dificult and poeple that own one say there's no difference.:rolleyes:

[kdklaff]

You know everyone that gave me advice, with the exception of one, has never owned a SW tank. And the one that did, didn't, it was at her office and she just recalls how much they charged to take care of the tank.

[OrionGirl]

I have a 40 gallon planted tank, a 20 gallon planted tank, a 5 gallon planted tank, and 2 2.5 gallon planted tanks at home, in addition to a total of 180 gallons of SW. I spend about 1.5 hours doing weekly water changes, and maintenance and cleaning on the FW stuff, plus another 30 minutes every other month or so on complete cleanings of the filter and powerheads. The saltwater, well, there's about 30 minutes of water change every other week, and about 5 minutes a couple times a week dealing with top off water or a touch up on algae growth, and then about 30 minutes every 6 months cleaning power heads and such.

Once it's up and stable, SW tanks are much less work than planted FW tanks.

[kdklaff]

I am going to start a new theard in marine newbies, I have a few more questions unrelated to this catagory. Please look for my new theard, I really value your inputs.

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