Asian "Centerpiece" fish? Or mid-tank swimmer...

O

Opicana

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May 13, 2006
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As a few of you probably read in a thread from a few days ago, I am looking to start a 46g (bow) Southeast Asian Biotope....

My guy wants something with the body/look of a clown loach, so we settled on the angelicus loach...

We have 7 Zebra danios that will be going in this tank...

I really would like Kuhli loaches....

So, we are looking at...

7 Zebra Danios
6 Kuhli Loaches
6 Angelicus Loaches

That seems unbalanced, as my danios spend most of their time swimming around the top of the tank, loaches will have the bottom covered...

Is there a peaceful mid-tank swimmer, or a centerpiece fish that I could add to this stocking?

Thanks :)

((Also, if the loach schools could be increased after the addition of the center, please let me know that too; I do not wish to increase the danio school))
 
I'm sure you could get away with a dwarf gouarmie or a female beta or something. I'm not the best one to ask...

but I was thinking you might be able to keep your tank from feeling bottom heavy by terracing the bottom... if you create multiple steps up, each with it's own floor, you bring the back of the tank floor up, and give the loaches a more diverse landscape to own. caves under the steps also increase your realestate.
 
There are several gourami species that would work. Three-spots, a trio of pearls or chocolates, paradise...
 
Oooh...terracing?? Totally loving that. I'm a huge fan of scaping, but I have only ventured so far as to make slopes...Caves sound wonderful... I think a terraced look, would also fit well with the Asian motif (don't they do a lot of terraced agriculture?).

How would I go about doing that?

I heard Chocolates are difficult to keep if you are not a pro...
 
I don't know how much any gourami is going to like all the activity you have going on in the tank.

You might want to consider just another school...small rasboras or barbs

After all, your loaches will be a great attention getter in that tank a centerpiece fish might now be necessary
 
We considered barbs, but we established (with help from another thread) that they aren't a good idea for this tank, as they need pretty decent school sizes...

As I already have 3 schools, I probably shouldn't add another whole school
 
I've only had the one chocolate in the planted 150 with cherry barbs, 6 other gouramis and some loaches, but it doesn't seem to have any issues.
 
I have a male betta that I adopted recently from a friend whom I'd like to put in a bigger setup...Do you think there is a chance he could get along well in here? Obviously, I'd have to keep an eye on him and I know the males really vary with temperament, but do you think its worth a try?
 
Opicana said:
I have a male betta that I adopted recently from a friend whom I'd like to put in a bigger setup...Do you think there is a chance he could get along well in here? Obviously, I'd have to keep an eye on him and I know the males really vary with temperament, but do you think its worth a try?
Click to expand...


I have 5 zebras in my 29 with a male betta and they all get along fine

Bettas are actually peaceful by nature, its just their own kind they hate lol
although my betta does sometimes chase my fancy guppy around, but he never catches him lol
 
Thanks! I think he'd be a nice addition to the tank, so I am going to give it a try.

Another ?, I know loaches & snails don't mix...but I have also heard that Malaysian Trumpets have really hard shells & can withstand some spp...would they survive with the Angelicus Loaches in the tank? I am an invert fan, and a tank without them will make me sad. :(
 
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