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Get the 50 gallon tank... but get a python gravel vac or you'll get very tired of doing the "bucket-brigade". You want this to be a fun experience, not work. 50 gallons is a very nice size to start out with.

1-1.5 watt per gallon for low light beginner plants. Any more and you're going to start having algae problems unless you add more plants and use CO2. Keep the light on for about 8-12 hours a day.

As already stated, you'd need a bigger tank for ruby sharks or red tail sharks... as least a 3 ft tank, 4 or 5 ft better. Also, they should not be kept with others of similar body shape as they are territorial. For your tank, you'll need to look at smaller fish.

I'm very surprised that more people haven't voted for the Denisoni Barb (Puntius denisonii). I have a small school of them (5) in my 180gal and they are very colourful and active.

Member's Aquarium and Fish Pictures

I usually cut their heads off quickly with a sharp knife ...instant death with no suffering.

Thanks for sharing the pics! I remember when mine was that small. invaderwithkey is right on about food and personality, make sure he gets lots of vegetable/algae in his diet. Post some more pics in a couple of months as he grows.

That's a great deal! A standard 55 US Gal tank is 4 feet.

They should be kept in groups of at least 3, otherwise they will be too skittish and may injure themselves. I've always kept mine in planted tank, and have never heard of them eating plants. I know that tinfoil barbs and silver dollars are known to eat plants. They should be kept with other...

I've had my Flagtail Prochilodus for about 2 years now. He's currently about 10" in a planted 75 gallon tank, soon to be moved into a 180 gal. They get along well with other community fish and eat zuchini, algae wafers and blood worms. They are terrific algae eaters and in my experience only...

Thanks LL, that was a nicer way to say it.

When they are young like yours, you can see why they are called yoyo loaches. It says "YoYo" right on the side of their body. Once they get larger, the pattern gets more complex and they lose the "YoYo". These fish are a lot of fun.

fatfishman, If you're still looking, I'd recommend Botia Striata (Zebra Loach) or, as already mentioned, Botia Kubotai (Polkadot Loach). These are great playful fish, don't grow very large, and should be kept in groups of 3-5. Yoyo's not only will grow bigger, but they are extremely active, so...

I agree with three-fingers. Rainbowfish would be an excellent addition. Boesmani's and others can grow up to 4-5" with thick bodies, and they will bring good color to the tank. I wouldn't put any other shoal of fish that are larger than that in a 5 foot tank with balas and clown loaches...

I've kept a Flagtail Prochilodus in a heavily planted tank for a couple of years with no problem. Have a look here: http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/friendemail.php/9749 The only plants I've seen him eat are ones with very fine leaves.

Bala sharks should be kept in groups (3 min, 5 better) or else they will be very skittish and could jump or injure themselves. They are very social with each other and like to swim fast and play, so will require at least a 6 foot tank once they've reached maturity (around 12").

Yes. :shout:

Interesting to read through the responses... I like hearing why people like a particular fish, especially ones that I am not that fond of. It shows our diversity in the hobby. I'm surprised that no one has yet mentioned rainbowfish. There are so many beautiful species of rainbowfish. I have a...

Congo Tetras. :good: Followed by Rummynose and Redeye.

Haha... yeah, I guess I should. I'm probably (not prolly) the only one who cares about this! :)

This post is about fish. :shifty: For those that don't know: The words there, their, and they're are not interchangeable. These can be used correctly as follows: There is a huge fish in that tank. These fish have stripes on their tails. Yes, they're great fish to keep in a tank that size...

These loaches are quite agressive. We once had some in a tank with clown loaches, yellow labs, and a pleco. They terrorized everyone, including the labs, and we ended up selling them. They do have a lot of personality and are very active, but beware: they are "the spwan of satan". That's my...

Wow! You got congo tetras for $2 each? Excellent price... sometimes it's good for the seller to be ignorant. Their colours will become more amazing with age. Beautiful fish.

Yes. The clown loaches will eat the apple snails. If the snails are large and the loaches are small, the snails may be safe for a little bit, but they will still get picked on. Eventually the clown loaches will eat them.

Clown loaches will sit and "sulk" if they are not happy. Perhaps he needs another one his size (although I've seen clown loaches of different sizes interacting fine), or perhaps he is freaked out by the knifefish in there. Maybe the knifefish has acted agressivley to the cl, seeing it as a...

I also vote for the rummy noses.

I have dwarf neon rainbows and harlequin rasboras (not in the same tank) and I love them both. For a 29 gal tank I would recommend the rasboras. The rainbows are very beautiful when they reach full size, but they will grow much bigger that the rasboras will. Larger schools are better. You...

iroc Very nice tanks! I like that you've kept some open swimming space. If you do plan on upgrading your tank size in the future, it would be nice to get a couple of friends for the clown loach. They are very social and will play together all the time. You've done a great job without co2!

Cool background.

Nice Corys!

Nice tank! Very healthy looking, and the fish have open areas to swim. Love the apple snails... I have some too and I love when they climb up high, then jump (float) down like a parachute.

Thanks for all the comments! RadaR is right. It is a Semaprochilodus insignis, commonly called a Flagtail Prochilodus (I call him Murphy). For those that are curious, here's what's in the tank: Flagtail Prochilodus Bala Sharks Clown Loaches Weather Loach Harlequin Rasboras Yoyo Loach I...

From what I've read, 5 is a good number with 3 being the minimum. I have 3 myself, and they always swim together and seem to be very happy. Not sure of their genders yet, because they're still under a year.

Just thought I'd say hello. I've been a fish-keeper for less than a year, but I'm hooked. I'm taking this responsibility seriously, so I'm an avid reader of forums to find out all I can about fish keeping, learning from other's mistakes and successes.