Coldwater schoolers and centerpiece fish?

[user_name]

Hey guys, I'm looking for some cold water schoolers/center pieces to go with my 37 gallon. The tank will have rhinogobuis wui, a playsand bottom, and a rock scape. Filtration is a Top Fin 40, and I hope to add another filter too.

 

[reptileguy2727]

White cloud mountain minnows also like cool mountain streams in Asia, very cliche fish compared to the goby though.

There are probably many other danios from the area that would tolerate if not love cooler fast water, many of which would also be a unique and rare tankmate for such a unique fish.

 

[user_name]

I have been thinking about danios and white clouds, but I'm looking for some really unique fish. What kind of center piece fish are out there?

 

[SubRosa]

Rainbow Shiners for a school and Orangespot, Dollar, or Bluespot Sunfish for the centerpiece.

 

[user_name]

Those are nice, I'm going to have to do some googling to find out their care requirements.

 

[user_name]

Can I keep a sunfish if I catch one locally in the spring? Should I quarantine it first?

 

[reptileguy2727]

I wouldn't, they get too big to go with the gobies and are quite aggressive. I would look into some of the more rare danios, the kind you would have to order from a breeder online or something.

 

[andyjs]

I wouldn't, they get too big to go with the gobies and are quite aggressive. I would look into some of the more rare danios, the kind you would have to order from a breeder online or something.

That's a generalization. There are some quite small and peaceful sunfish. The problem with collecting locally, even if done completely legally, is knowing what you end up with. If you can't correctly identify them before bringing them home and you end up with something you don't want, you can't just take it back and release it. Some of the most common species like bluegill, green, and pumpkinseed sunfish would not be appropriate for your tank, so it would probably be easier to order from somewhere where you will know what you're getting

 

[user_name]

I will then, I thought it would be cool to have some native fish. I'll look into the danios, and hopefully I can find some paradise fish or blue spot sunfish locally!

 

[reptileguy2727]

I still wouldn't do it. Even if you had one in its own tank long enough to see how aggressive it is and truly KNOW it is not too bad, native fish will definitely have pathogens, pathogens they can handle without any signs that can definitely wipe out a nonnative species.