I have a 30 inch long 12 inch wide 24 inch tall aquarium with nothing in it. I was wondering what type of fish I should put in there, I would really want a region specific type of setup, do you guys have any suggestions? I really like those discus fish, could I keep a pair of them or something.
I was wondering if you could help...
- Thread starter gophersnake13
- Start date
This tank would not give a lot of swimming room for discus which can reach 8" long and only holds about 28 imp. gallons (taking into account substrate etc.). They also have quite precise water requirements to keep them really healthy and excellent filtration.
As you have such a tall tank, it may be worth thinking about populating the three different areas of the tank with top, middle and bottom dwellers, to make sure you don't have 'dead' areas of the tank. Also take into account the maximum stocking levels for your tank and build up gradually.
For the bottom there are any number of catfish that you could consider, corydoras, brochis, small plecs. For the middle, a shoal of tetras, small barbs, etc.depending on your preference or one or two gouramis.
For the top, how about something a bit more unusual such as hatchet fish which spend all their time at the surface looking for food (if you decide on these make sure you have a tight fitting lid as they can really jump.
I have found the species database on this site very helpful when trying to decide on which fish to keep.
As you have such a tall tank, it may be worth thinking about populating the three different areas of the tank with top, middle and bottom dwellers, to make sure you don't have 'dead' areas of the tank. Also take into account the maximum stocking levels for your tank and build up gradually.
For the bottom there are any number of catfish that you could consider, corydoras, brochis, small plecs. For the middle, a shoal of tetras, small barbs, etc.depending on your preference or one or two gouramis.
For the top, how about something a bit more unusual such as hatchet fish which spend all their time at the surface looking for food (if you decide on these make sure you have a tight fitting lid as they can really jump.
I have found the species database on this site very helpful when trying to decide on which fish to keep.
First off, is the tank cycled?
The tank seems to be a 37 gallon and the dimensions are very similar to the 37 gal I am saving up for. (Except the height on the one I want is 22.5 inches, not 24 inches)
With a 37 gallon you have a pretty good range of options.
You want a region specific tank, in other words a biotope, (with live plants and fish of the same region)?.
Discus are a good choice, but they need a little more care. Water should be top priority with Discus, so once or twice a week water changes are ideal. They aren't impossible to keep, despite stereotypical belief, they just need a little more care than others.
You could probably have 6 small, young discus and then let them pair off naturally, and keep one pair, and the remaining 4 can be given back to the store or given to someone you may know who wants some.
You like/want Discus and you want a biotope so thne you would have to get fish that would live in the Amazon and co-exist peacfully with Discus.
Discus are really cool, and they would be your showpiece (what better than the kings of the aquarium!
), so then you would have to build around them.
So here's what I would do:
Make sure your tank is cycled.
Add fish slowly.
Some amazonian fish that would be perfect for a 37 gal and with Discus are tetras!.
Some good and peaceful ideas would be tetras such as: Neon, Cardinal, Rummynose, Glowlight, Black Neon (just to name a few).
You could get a few ottos aswell as one bristlenose pleco for algae help.
You could possibly get some cories (a school of 6, and of the same species), but you may have to do some more research on them because some species prefer cooler water.
Always remember that with any schooling fish such as tetras, cories, etc.
You should get AT LEAST 6, if your tank can allow more (and in your case it does) then go for it!
This sounds like an interesting setup!
Hope this helps!
The tank seems to be a 37 gallon and the dimensions are very similar to the 37 gal I am saving up for. (Except the height on the one I want is 22.5 inches, not 24 inches)
With a 37 gallon you have a pretty good range of options.
You want a region specific tank, in other words a biotope, (with live plants and fish of the same region)?.
Discus are a good choice, but they need a little more care. Water should be top priority with Discus, so once or twice a week water changes are ideal. They aren't impossible to keep, despite stereotypical belief, they just need a little more care than others.
You could probably have 6 small, young discus and then let them pair off naturally, and keep one pair, and the remaining 4 can be given back to the store or given to someone you may know who wants some.
You like/want Discus and you want a biotope so thne you would have to get fish that would live in the Amazon and co-exist peacfully with Discus.
Discus are really cool, and they would be your showpiece (what better than the kings of the aquarium!
), so then you would have to build around them.So here's what I would do:
Make sure your tank is cycled.
Add fish slowly.
Some amazonian fish that would be perfect for a 37 gal and with Discus are tetras!.
Some good and peaceful ideas would be tetras such as: Neon, Cardinal, Rummynose, Glowlight, Black Neon (just to name a few).
You could get a few ottos aswell as one bristlenose pleco for algae help.
You could possibly get some cories (a school of 6, and of the same species), but you may have to do some more research on them because some species prefer cooler water.
Always remember that with any schooling fish such as tetras, cories, etc.
You should get AT LEAST 6, if your tank can allow more (and in your case it does) then go for it!
This sounds like an interesting setup!
Hope this helps!
Last edited:
Well
I really don't have as much experience with fish as I do with reptiles, what about Electric Yellow Haps I saw on the speicies profiles, I was wondering if there are any Non-Cichilid species from Lake Milawi that could be kept with the Haps?
I really don't have as much experience with fish as I do with reptiles, what about Electric Yellow Haps I saw on the speicies profiles, I was wondering if there are any Non-Cichilid species from Lake Milawi that could be kept with the Haps?
Electric Yellows aren't Haps, they are Mbuna. 
There are non-cichlids that can be kept with them, but I don't think they are from Lake Malawi.
There are non-cichlids that can be kept with them, but I don't think they are from Lake Malawi.
I think I will go with the Yellow fish cause they are cool looking and they sound much easier to care for than discus.
Good call. Discus are fairly demanding. I've kept all kinds of herps as well and most were far less demanding than my fish have been... and let me tell you, my fish are easy fish. Even my Crotalus lepidus were easier to keep, and there was always a chance one could kill me! Well, only a slight chance, after all. I take it you like bulls, pines and gophers? I caught a nice female 6 foot long white phase bull out here once while out trying to collect alternas. Nice to see another herper around!
I take it you like bulls, pines and gophers? I caught a nice female 6 foot long white phase bull out here once while out trying to collect alternas. Nice to see another herper around!Is nice to see another herper on here Yeah I have a female normal phase sonoran gopher, any chance you have a common name for Crotalus lepidus because I am not really familiar with the particular scientific name.
Yeah I have a female normal phase sonoran gopher, any chance you have a common name for Crotalus lepidus because I am not really familiar with the particular scientific name.
Mottled Rock Rattlesnake. They hang out with the alterna and some folks say alterna are mimics of them and that's why they developed that particular coloration. Sort of like milk snakes and corals. :OT:gophersnake13 said:
Oh and umm, keep us posted on your fish!