Theme tank, Need your help!

xytrix01

Aquaria Intern (NOOB)
Sep 26, 2004
146
0
0
42
San Jose, CA
I moved my catfish and his little "buddies" over to my new 45gal, and that leaves me with an empty 20gal long just sitting on my counter. As we all know empty tanks don't look so hot, so I am anxious to fill it back up. I was trying to decide what to do with it and my girlfriend sugested that I do a black and white theme using black and silver mollies. I like this idea, it sounds like fun.

So here's what I have so far:
-20gal long with black trim :rolleyes:
-20lb bag of black gravel
-A few of these plastic plants I found that are black with white tips on the leaves.

I'm keeping my eyes out for white and black "rocks" that I could use in the bottom for caves and whatnot.

What I really need help with is stocking the tank. Like I said so far I have silver and black mollies on the list, but I would like more sugestions. A zebra plecto might be cool, but I don't know how large they get.

Let the black / white sugestions begin! :dance
 
Zebra plecos will reach a length of 4-5 inches. They like warm water and are meat eaters. They are currently selling for about $70+. These prices are likely to go higher as the Brazilian government iis damming their river and they may dissapear from the wild in the next couple of years.
 
Are you going to be doing the elevated salt levels for the mollies?


A group of 5 cory julii would work with the tank size, color scheme and the mollies needs and temp range. Though not so good with the elevated salt levels that many suggest you use with the mollies.

Temps middle 70's, omnivores, like hiding when threatened, but are great fun to watch when they are feeling secure and safe.

I've kept them mostly in planted tanks.
 
bump
 
harlequin rasboras & black skirt tetras? silver gouramis? I've seen a white betta somewhere too
 
If you're looking for small sized black and white catfish for a 20g, there is a type of otocinclus catfish that comes in black and white stripes - I've seen pictures, they're awesome looking little guys. I've never seen them in a store, but you might be able to find them for sale online...

You could also consider panda (white w/ black eye patches) or skunk (white with black stripe down their back) corys, they're fun little fish.

What a cool idea, the black and white theme. I had a friend in high school who did his room in black and white - tiles, walls, bedding, decor, everything - and then bought a tank with green plants, brown gravel and red fish! He would smack himself on the forehead for not thinking of this idea :D I'd love to see pictures.
 
My LFS has a black and white tank that has Dalmation mollies in it. It works pretty well, looks cool. Good luck with your tank!
 
AquariaCentral.com