One of the researchers I work with has a decent size aquarium in his office (I'm guessing 40g, possibly up to 50g?). I just recently got a 5g for my desk and it has re-awakened the desire to keep an aquarium. In recent conversations with this other person, it became clear to me that he was not really involved in the maintenance or even stocking of his tank - he has a service that comes and cleans the tank and apparently that person also puts fish in there for him... He is on vacation this week but as soon as he gets back I am going to ask him if he would let ME stock his tank for him. It seems that he is not that pleased with the current occupants and I think we are friends of sorts so I really thing he'll let me do it!
I won't even go into what's wrong with the combination/size of the fish that are in there
ANYWAY, I have been dreaming up possible plans for stocking this already established tank and am looking for some suggestions. The person who cleans the tank would presumably remove any fish we no longer want so that shouldn't be too much of an issue...
Here's a few options, I'd love to hear which you think might be best.
1. there are several (4-5) nice rainbow fish (not sure what type) in there and I would consider keeping them if I could think of some other suitable tank mates. I do have an interest in rainbows, they seem like a somewhat unusual fish and wouldn't mind even getting a few more. Would dwarf cichlids work with Rainbow's? I quite like Rams and it would be fun to put some in there.
2. there are THREE!! blood parrot's in there currently, I might consider keeping one or two of them and putting in a couple other cichlids. Is the tank too small to even consider this?
3. start from scratch...
I have always kept relatively small aquariums and while I know this one is not HUGE, it would allow me to keep a few larger fish that I would otherwise not be able to. FYI - I am personally, not a huge fan of tetras (other than a school of neon's or cardinals). I also REALLY like bottom feeders like cory's and other cats (not loaches so much).
I won't even go into what's wrong with the combination/size of the fish that are in there
ANYWAY, I have been dreaming up possible plans for stocking this already established tank and am looking for some suggestions. The person who cleans the tank would presumably remove any fish we no longer want so that shouldn't be too much of an issue...
Here's a few options, I'd love to hear which you think might be best.
1. there are several (4-5) nice rainbow fish (not sure what type) in there and I would consider keeping them if I could think of some other suitable tank mates. I do have an interest in rainbows, they seem like a somewhat unusual fish and wouldn't mind even getting a few more. Would dwarf cichlids work with Rainbow's? I quite like Rams and it would be fun to put some in there.
2. there are THREE!! blood parrot's in there currently, I might consider keeping one or two of them and putting in a couple other cichlids. Is the tank too small to even consider this?
3. start from scratch...
I have always kept relatively small aquariums and while I know this one is not HUGE, it would allow me to keep a few larger fish that I would otherwise not be able to. FYI - I am personally, not a huge fan of tetras (other than a school of neon's or cardinals). I also REALLY like bottom feeders like cory's and other cats (not loaches so much).
I would love to get a school (5-6) of corys and watch them interact. I've never had a tank large enough to house more than a couple of them. I do like many small fish and I know what you mean about them "drawing you in". I have previously kept swordtails and the like. I currently have a Platy in my 5g and I really dig him. I'm just interested in a few larger species at the moment - these things go in waves for me. Rest assured though, once I have a fish in my aquarium, I keep it and take care of it. I'm not a person who trades fish in at the drop of a hat - I actually get quite attached to the fish I keep. I might consider loaches as I've heard many great things about their habits and personalities. To be honest, I always thought they looked a little creepy so I've never had one in my tank.