Hi all! I haven't posted here for almost 2 years... been busy with school and dog training, and with my tanks staying stable I didn't have much reason to post. 
Unfortunately, I recently had the biggest fish in my 20 gallon die, resulting in a huge war for the top spot on the totem pole which eventually resulted in all the fish killing off each other. Except, of course, for my South American Bumblebee catfish (Microglanis iheringi), who hid out during the fighting and now has the tank to himself.
Since he's the only one left, I'd like to restock the tank with other compatible fish that hail from the same neck of the woods (Colombia and Venezuela). The tank is a 20 gallon tall, so I can't get too elaborate. I'm thinking about going whole-hog and doing the planted tank thing again... haven't done a planted tank in quite awhile and have been missing it. This tank has been up and running for about 6 years now, I have large gravel substrate and the pH tends to run around 7.5 or so. The temp fluctuates between 70-74 degrees. There are lots of great hiding places, and if I go the planted route I plan to add more driftwood as well.
I'd like something that could help with the snail infestation (I do regularly "de-snail" the tank and transfer all the snails to the loaches in my 29 gallon, who appreciate the snack). I really enjoy small, colorful schooling fish (but the fish would have to be big enough that they don't easily fit in the catfish's mouth), with maybe one larger fish. I was also looking at possibly a Zebra Pleco (Hypancistrus zebra - not from the same area of South America, but at least it's from the right continent).
The catfish has become quite outgoing during the last year - he's still mostly nocturnal, but comes out around 7pm so I have a few hours to enjoy his antics before the tank lights go off. I feed a mixed diet - mostly sinking wafers, tablets, flakes, and fresh bloodworms right now because I've gotten lazy .
Any ideas? I'm excited about restocking this tank! My only other tank that is running right now is a mixed community (rummynose tetras, guppies, an opal gourami, a few loaches, and a small pleco [will go to a friend's pond when it outgrows this tank]). I used to keep cichlids, and enjoyed them, but decided against that route for now. One last consideration... I may be moving in the next year or so, so fish that are not too easily stressed would be nice.
Unfortunately, I recently had the biggest fish in my 20 gallon die, resulting in a huge war for the top spot on the totem pole which eventually resulted in all the fish killing off each other.
Except, of course, for my South American Bumblebee catfish (Microglanis iheringi), who hid out during the fighting and now has the tank to himself. Since he's the only one left, I'd like to restock the tank with other compatible fish that hail from the same neck of the woods (Colombia and Venezuela). The tank is a 20 gallon tall, so I can't get too elaborate. I'm thinking about going whole-hog and doing the planted tank thing again... haven't done a planted tank in quite awhile and have been missing it. This tank has been up and running for about 6 years now, I have large gravel substrate and the pH tends to run around 7.5 or so. The temp fluctuates between 70-74 degrees. There are lots of great hiding places, and if I go the planted route I plan to add more driftwood as well.
I'd like something that could help with the snail infestation (I do regularly "de-snail" the tank and transfer all the snails to the loaches in my 29 gallon, who appreciate the snack). I really enjoy small, colorful schooling fish (but the fish would have to be big enough that they don't easily fit in the catfish's mouth), with maybe one larger fish. I was also looking at possibly a Zebra Pleco (Hypancistrus zebra - not from the same area of South America, but at least it's from the right continent).
The catfish has become quite outgoing during the last year - he's still mostly nocturnal, but comes out around 7pm so I have a few hours to enjoy his antics before the tank lights go off. I feed a mixed diet - mostly sinking wafers, tablets, flakes, and fresh bloodworms right now because I've gotten lazy
. Any ideas? I'm excited about restocking this tank! My only other tank that is running right now is a mixed community (rummynose tetras, guppies, an opal gourami, a few loaches, and a small pleco [will go to a friend's pond when it outgrows this tank]). I used to keep cichlids, and enjoyed them, but decided against that route for now. One last consideration... I may be moving in the next year or so, so fish that are not too easily stressed would be nice.
