I forgot about those guys, haven’t seen them in a long while, but that would be an excellent choice
Centerpiece species for South American themed tank
- Thread starter Snagrio
- Start date
I ironically already had one (the 125 came with a bunch of mixed species cichlids, mostly large super aggressive types like red devils and green terrors) and rehomed it recently with the rest. Given that it was already an adult it was probably for the best anyway.
Look like slightly smaller, more colorful keyhole cichlids, interesting. Dunno if I could find any around where I live though (would like to try and buy locally just because the shipping tends to add such a hefty bump in price).
However, I have another issue to discuss. I was going to get my current fish in a 55 gallon down to two, but I had a long talk with my mother yesterday (she's getting very impatient about how long it's taking as she wants the 55 dismantled and sold ASAP to make room for furniture that was moved by the addition of the 125) and she lamented about how "I have responsibility" regarding the fish I already have.
To give a rundown, there's currently 4 clown loaches, 2 upside-down catfish, 1 Australian rainbowfish, 1 giant danio, 1 albino rainbow shark, and two bristlenose plecos.
The loaches are for sure getting rehomed as I've learned even a 125 won't be big enough for them in the long run and there's a more than decent chance they'll be too disruptive and dig out any plants I try to grow. And as mentioned before they've learned they can eat anything small tetra-sized. Ironically getting the 125 was originally with them in mind but the research I did after the fact showed it clearly wasn't meant to be, hence my new change in direction with what I want to do with it.
But the rest are what my mom's chastising about. The rainbowfish and danio are remnants of a mixed school and in their twilight years so I think they can stay and live out the rest of their days with me. They don't "fit the theme" but oh well (yes I am aware they need to be in schools but they're both so old that there wouldn't be much point).
The UDCs probably could be rehomed, but they've had a major finrot problem in the past and never fully recovered (one effectively looks like a swimming slug) so idk if anyone would want to take fish in such sorry shape.
The rainbow shark I'm, iffy on. It's perfectly healthy but I'm concerned about its territoriality. It's been fine for most of the time, but there was one instance where I added an extra log hide so the fish could have more choices. Well, the clown loaches all crowded into the new one, which led to the shark going mad with power and completely taking over half the tank. Quickly removed the extra log so the loaches would go back to the old one and restore the social balance, but with that in mind it leaves me worried about what will happen if the shark moves into the new tank without the loaches to keep it in check, that it will become a tyrant and attack anything new I add to the tank.
The bristlenoses are for sure staying. One is much younger, about half grown and I believe female (next to no bristles) while the other is a adult albino male that came with the 125 and is currently bunking in the 55 as the bigger tank has been undergoing a complete revamping.
I would’ve kept the severum and GT and added a school of silver dollars
Strongarm
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Fairy Cichlids? Neolamprologus Brichardi is a nice fish. It would make a good species fish. Not sure of all the conditions it needs.
Neolamprologus are beautiful but are African, and the OP wanted a South America theme...
A non-typical suggestion - Hemiodus spp.
Either Hemiodus gracilis (red tail, which stay smaller), or any other Hemiodus, such as H. unimaculatus or H. orthonops.
These are very active fish, thus a center of attention, grow to 6-8 inches (depending on species), all are super gentle, not eating even the smallest fry of anything, but always swimming mainly mid-level and upper level, but eating from all over. They are detritivorous, but eat everything small (flake, pellet, frozen live, whatever!), and excellent tank mates.
Below my Hemiodus cf unimaculatus (~7 inches) in a 125g that also has a school of lemon and rummynose tetras (and some odds and ends). These guys arrived at ~ 3 inches, just about 3 years ago. They may still be growing a little but I consider them full grown. They won't breed for you (nobody has accomplished it) but they are long-lived (decade or above) and very beautiful.
I consider them a great choice for any community of peaceful fish., Not that hard to find, but good LFS's or online ordering would be almost certainly required.
A non-typical suggestion - Hemiodus spp.
Either Hemiodus gracilis (red tail, which stay smaller), or any other Hemiodus, such as H. unimaculatus or H. orthonops.
These are very active fish, thus a center of attention, grow to 6-8 inches (depending on species), all are super gentle, not eating even the smallest fry of anything, but always swimming mainly mid-level and upper level, but eating from all over. They are detritivorous, but eat everything small (flake, pellet, frozen live, whatever!), and excellent tank mates.
Below my Hemiodus cf unimaculatus (~7 inches) in a 125g that also has a school of lemon and rummynose tetras (and some odds and ends). These guys arrived at ~ 3 inches, just about 3 years ago. They may still be growing a little but I consider them full grown. They won't breed for you (nobody has accomplished it) but they are long-lived (decade or above) and very beautiful.
I consider them a great choice for any community of peaceful fish., Not that hard to find, but good LFS's or online ordering would be almost certainly required.
At this point I've decided on some type of apistogramma species. But exactly which specific one will come down to what's available when I'm ready to start adding new fish as from what I've seen, a lot of online places are out of stock of most apistos. Would like ones with blue coloration in their patterns if possible though.
