planning 4 footer...need suggestions

[tim watson]

I have begun to plan a new four foot 75 g heavily planted tank. i have planned it out, but now i just need suggestions for fish. i would like some clown loaches (5+) and lots of schooling tetras, and mabyes a lobster. any one got any good ideas??
thanks,
tim

 

[Richer]

lobsters (aka. crayfish) do not work with plant tanks... or even most fish only (FO) tanks. They will act like bulldozers to your plants, and will try to eat any fish that get within their grasps.. a good species only type animal, not good for community tanks.
Clown loaches will work fine in a plant tank, but a 75 gallon has a limited foot print. Clown loaches normally get around 8-9 inches fully grown in captive, but can reach sizes of 12 inches. A 75 gallon has a footprint of about 48"x18" correct? 5 would be a bit much... I'd probably go with 3.
For schooling fish... how large do you want them to be? Personally, I would love to see a planted tank with 50+ fully grown cardinals in it.

HTH
-Richer

 

[Skippy]

I have a 100 that I have running currently as a temp home to some Gourami and Loaches, once they're moved out my goal for that tank is a big schoal of Cardinals.

 

[sahinze]

Try beunos aries tetras. I've had good success with them, they are a little larger. Very hardy as well. Crayfish are a definite no no with plants. However I have always kept them with my fish and never lost one. Lots of stories of them eating fish though. If you like them give them a try, but keep an eye out for fish disappearing. Good luck setting up your tank.

 

[slipknottin]

if you do want a couple inverts to show off in your tank, there are quite a few different types of shrimps and snails you could get.

There are some extremely colorful shrimp out there. Youll have to ask around though, there not something thats usually in stock.

There are a few different types of snails that will work in a planted tank, and quite a few more that will work in a FO tank.

 

[beviking]

I'm not sure if I missed something? Snails and loaches? I thought one ate the other?

 

[slipknottin]

only little ones, im pretty sure they cant get at big snails like apple snails.

 

[beviking]

oh, o.k.. I'll just lock that tidbit away. Thanks.