Recommend some "different" fish

The other approach is to get species that aren't common. The various forms of tiger barbs are kept by a lot of people, but there are other species that are more unusual, not so nippy, and don't get too big. You seldom hear of people with big schools of checkerboard barbs, and they're often seen in stores. Lots of interesting barbs, and rasboras you don't see everyday.

Likewise with tetras- neons have to be the one species everyone has. If you've got the right conditions, pencilfish can be spectacular.

So- for unusual fish-

For the top level of the tank- Copella arnoldi the splashing tetra:
http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?what=fish&cur_lang=2&id=370

Or there are many species of killifish that would also work. If you add some floating plants you may find fry eventually. Epiplatys, Aphyosemion, Fundulopanchax, Rivulus, etc. Just do the research on the individual species to see if it will work.

Lower level:
If the banjo doesn't get too big, you could get a big school of dwarf corydoras, like hastatus or pygmaeus. Or any unusual corydoras, aspidoras, etc.

Or on the other end, a small school of Dianema urostriatum would be very interesting. They wouldn't bother the smaller fish and you could see them from a distance. The contrast in size would make the tank more interesting.
http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=12204

Some rams, N anomala, or H thomasi would also liven up the lower level and add a lot of interest.
 
I'm thinking as to what to stock my tank with as soon as it is cycled. My tap water is very hard and basic (ph 7.8 - 8.0), so it may limit me, unless I get an RO unit.

Some thoughts:

Why get neon tetras if cardinals are available? They are slightly bigger and more colorful. Both are somewhat fragile.

Although controversial, I think I am going to get some Glo-fish. I think they have them in four colors now - red, green, orange and yellow. They are basically zebra danios, so they should be hardy and tolerant of various water conditions.

I had glass catfish (Kryptopterus bicirrhis) in a community tank many years ago. I found them hardy and peaceful. They lived for years. Not a bottom dweller/scavenger, however.
 
check out some odessa barbs pics on the net dont show off their color look like a rainbow with black out lines
 
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neonmadness said:
peackock gudgeon, not so many people have them, super colorful and only get like 2inches. They are a small species of goby i think.
Click to expand...

I really like that fish, looks quite cool. Now I'll just have to find a place that sells them. Hmm.
 
I would be wary of anything claiming to be newly discovered. Plus, that fish looks painted or dyed to me.
 
Elephant nose and the other Mormyrids can be tricky to keep. They probably won't do well on flake food, and would really want live food in my experience. They are very sensitive to bad or slightly bad water conditions.
 
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