40g breeder plans...

[Rocky998]

FairmountSantrol AquaQuartz-50 Pool Filter 20-Grade Silica Sand 50 Pounds, White https://a.co/d/dNnlkmP
@Byron, Look at some of the video reviews on this. This is how the stuff in the quikrete pool filter bag looked

 

[Byron]

FairmountSantrol AquaQuartz-50 Pool Filter 20-Grade Silica Sand 50 Pounds, White https://a.co/d/dNnlkmP
@Byron, Look at some of the video reviews on this. This is how the stuff in the quikrete pool filter bag looked

I cannot tell anything from photos. All I can tell you is that Corydoras authorities do not recommend pool filter sand. Take it or leave it, I post to help but it is your choice.

As for the Quikrete brand, here I can be absolute because I contacted them a couple years back and discussed their sand processing. They process their sands through a machine. Pool Filter Sand is not processed as extensively as their Play Sand. They know kids get sand in their eyes and mouth, and their play sand is processed to make it absolutely smooth and safe. They also clean the machine well after processing the other industrial sands, and then do the Play Sand.

 

[Rocky998]

I cannot tell anything from photos. All I can tell you is that Corydoras authorities do not recommend pool filter sand. Take it or leave it, I post to help but it is your choice.

As for the Quikrete brand, here I can be absolute because I contacted them a couple years back and discussed their sand processing. They process their sands through a machine. Pool Filter Sand is not processed as extensively as their Play Sand. They know kids get sand in their eyes and mouth, and their play sand is processed to make it absolutely smooth and safe. They also clean the machine well after processing the other industrial sands, and then do the Play Sand.

That's nice to know!
And by the way I wasn't saying to view the photos. There are 2-3 videos that show the grains very well.
I will try to get tan play sand

 

[Wills]

Hi this sounds interesting I've seen you mention your ph is 8 but wondering what your hardness is? Sorry if I've missed it.

With the higher ph I'm just wondering if you would consider Central American Cichlids? Some of the smaller species like Amatitlania Cutteri, Saijaica, Nanoluteus, Myrnae or Altoflavus could work, as could Thoricthys species like Meeki, Ellioti, Aureus. Rainbow Cichlids could also be a good choice here. Either a single specimen - which is the easiest option, or a pair which could be more interesting. Or for something like the Cutteri or Nanoluteus a small group would be possible in a tank this size.

Its a different kind of community as I'd give the cichlids all of the bottom of the tank. But in the upper levels, big choices in terms of livebearers, any of the commercial colours of Swordtails or Platies or you could look at some of the rarer species.

Schooling fish, if you wanted to stay biotope correct the easiest tetra is the Blind Cave Fish - though they are not for everyone. I don't understand why they are the only real Central American tetra in the hobby but its rare to even see their non-cave dwelling form (looks a bit like a Buenos Aires Tetra). You can go further afield though with some good Barb species Odessa Barbs or Rosy Barbs could be a good choice? Some of the commercial colour forms of Rosy Barbs are incredible, though avoid the long fins.

An other fish to mention in here but you might think too close to your current Gobies are Empire Gudgeons - always thought the pictures you see are just breeding dress and occasional colour ups, good photos etc but saw some in a store a few weeks ago and they are stunning! Look like bigger versions of your Gobies though so might be too close for you in 2 tanks.

Rainbow fish might also be a good idea - smaller species like Dwarf Neon, Kamaka, Herbertaxelrodi could work (though Dwarf Neon are a bit sickly these days). They are not without risk, ColinT can testament to that, but, beautiful fish.

Wills

 

[itiwhetu]

Hi this sounds interesting I've seen you mention your ph is 8 but wondering what your hardness is? Sorry if I've missed it.

With the higher ph I'm just wondering if you would consider Central American Cichlids? Some of the smaller species like Amatitlania Cutteri, Saijaica, Nanoluteus, Myrnae or Altoflavus could work, as could Thoricthys species like Meeki, Ellioti, Aureus. Rainbow Cichlids could also be a good choice here. Either a single specimen - which is the easiest option, or a pair which could be more interesting. Or for something like the Cutteri or Nanoluteus a small group would be possible in a tank this size.

Its a different kind of community as I'd give the cichlids all of the bottom of the tank. But in the upper levels, big choices in terms of livebearers, any of the commercial colours of Swordtails or Platies or you could look at some of the rarer species.

Schooling fish, if you wanted to stay biotope correct the easiest tetra is the Blind Cave Fish - though they are not for everyone. I don't understand why they are the only real Central American tetra in the hobby but its rare to even see their non-cave dwelling form (looks a bit like a Buenos Aires Tetra). You can go further afield though with some good Barb species Odessa Barbs or Rosy Barbs could be a good choice? Some of the commercial colour forms of Rosy Barbs are incredible, though avoid the long fins.

An other fish to mention in here but you might think too close to your current Gobies are Empire Gudgeons - always thought the pictures you see are just breeding dress and occasional colour ups, good photos etc but saw some in a store a few weeks ago and they are stunning! Look like bigger versions of your Gobies though so might be too close for you in 2 tanks.

Rainbow fish might also be a good idea - smaller species like Dwarf Neon, Kamaka, Herbertaxelrodi could work (though Dwarf Neon are a bit sickly these days). They are not without risk, ColinT can testament to that, but, beautiful fish.

Wills

The thing that stops @Rocky998 is the Peacock Gudgeons, they will always be a problem. I admire Rocky for keeping these fish, but they are a single species fish and need their own tank and space.

 

[Wills]

The thing that stops @Rocky998 is the Peacock Gudgeons, they will always be a problem. I admire Rocky for keeping these fish, but they are a single species fish and need their own tank and space.

Ah sorry I missed that I thought it was in addition.

Would something like a school of Forktail Rainbows be an option? Maybe some loaches for the bottom like Rosy or Inle Loaches that would do better on the lower levels? Galaxy and Emerald Rasboras could be a good choice too?

Wills

 

[itiwhetu]

Ah sorry I missed that I thought it was in addition.

Would something like a school of Forktail Rainbows be an option? Maybe some loaches for the bottom like Rosy or Inle Loaches that would do better on the lower levels? Galaxy and Emerald Rasboras could be a good choice too?

Wills

There are lots of single species fish, Bumble bee gobies are one that comes to mind. All the Bettas. Silver Dollars. If you decide to keep these fish great, then don't get bored and try to add things to their tank, because it is only going to cause problems.

 

[Rocky998]

Not true.
In fact these guys live in groups. They don't school but they do enjoy company.
so when I get the 40g I will get 3 more gudgeons and then get a group of corydoras. Peacocks are only aggressive to really really small species or the males will flare and chase but nothing more.
Next, I would add top-mid dwelling fish like a barb or small rainbowfish.
I would love pearl gouramis! They seem really amazing. Stunning coloration.

And @Wills, I appreciate all the recommendations but I don't think those would work sense my GH is very low at 3.
Plus, sense I have the gudgeons, I need species that are not very aggressive/really large

 

[Wills]

Oh wow ok, yeah that is unusual but! Think this needs a bit of a drum roll.... I give you the Black Tiger Badis! From a region with a ph between 7 and 9 and a hardness of 18-90ppm.

Re-reading the profile it does talk about keeping it as a species only tank with an aim to breeding them in captivity but... that feels subjective and in your situation where you talk about not being around a community of avid keepers what would you do with the fry? I feel you'll know your Gobies better than me if it will work or not but in a 40 breeder I do think it has a good chance - a lot of the profile is based around the idea of keeping them in a smaller tank but in a 40 breeder you will have space for multiple males and a group of females.

Even if you don't go for these, searching on fishbase for fish from northern Myanmar will show you species that live in similar conditions to these and could be a good starting point for finding fish for you

Wills

 

[Rocky998]

Oh wow ok, yeah that is unusual but! Think this needs a bit of a drum roll.... I give you the Black Tiger Badis! From a region with a ph between 7 and 9 and a hardness of 18-90ppm.

Re-reading the profile it does talk about keeping it as a species only tank with an aim to breeding them in captivity but... that feels subjective and in your situation where you talk about not being around a community of avid keepers what would you do with the fry? I feel you'll know your Gobies better than me if it will work or not but in a 40 breeder I do think it has a good chance - a lot of the profile is based around the idea of keeping them in a smaller tank but in a 40 breeder you will have space for multiple males and a group of females.

Even if you don't go for these, searching on fishbase for fish from northern Myanmar will show you species that live in similar conditions to these and could be a good starting point for finding fish for you

Wills

Myanmar is sent from heaven... I searched for waters with high ph and low gh and got nothing, zip, notta! Thank you! I need to look at fish from there...
I'm not that into the badis species but I'll look those guys up and see what they are like. I really want some sterbai cory... I'd have the space!
See how I searched for a species for my tank was to sift through what felt like a bazillion softwater fish and find ones with a ph level of 7.5-7.8 and I tried to find fish with a higher ph like that.
For peacock gudgeons the levels ranged from 6.0-7.8 on a variety of different sites so I decided on them, plus they checked d all the other boxes on a fish I'd really want!

 

[GaryE]

I found a super duper uperly awesome fish that I might just do in the 40g...
Their commonly called Rainbow Emperor Tetras or scientifically called Nematobrycon Lacortei.
They are absolutely stunning!! I love the blue on them.
So far from what I've seen their checking all the boxes

Lacortei aren't bullies, but they are territorial bottom dwellers. Not all tetras like moving through the water column, and these guys will guard a spot. They're more beautiful than most photos - it's hard to get a good shot of their colours. But they are candidates for the best kind of tank - a single species community. neat fish to watch, but about as kind to other species as humans are.

The few aquarists who have gotten to keep them have often been caught generalizing, and thought they were "just tetras".
Opps. That was me.

 

[Wills]

Myanmar is sent from heaven... I searched for waters with high ph and low gh and got nothing, zip, notta! Thank you! I need to look at fish from there...
I'm not that into the badis species but I'll look those guys up and see what they are like. I really want some sterbai cory... I'd have the space!
See how I searched for a species for my tank was to sift through what felt like a bazillion softwater fish and find ones with a ph level of 7.5-7.8 and I tried to find fish with a higher ph like that.
For peacock gudgeons the levels ranged from 6.0-7.8 on a variety of different sites so I decided on them, plus they checked d all the other boxes on a fish I'd really want!

Really understandable I do the same for me - though high ph, soft water is rarer. Make sure you check out the surrounding countries too like Vietnam, Laos, bits of China, a lot of them are similar to Myanmar in terms of geography, lots of limestone mountains and snow/rain run offs with alkaline water. The habitats that will be interesting to you will be longer winding rivers and steams where the water will break down and sit in pools and swamps that will gradually soften like the flood plains in the Amazon (not exactly but sort of). There will be a cross over in those areas where fish live long periods in water similar to yours and I think it would be reasonable to expect be adapted to it.

Oil Catfish and similar species might be a good option for you too, a few wood cat and dora species live in huge ranges from deep blackwater to coastal estuaries. I found out recently that parts of the Andes are limestone based so the run of from that will be harder than typical in most of South America but I don't know which species this would effect but I bet there are some in the aquarium trade from that kind of habitat too.

Wills

 

[Rocky998]

Lacortei aren't bullies, but they are territorial bottom dwellers. Not all tetras like moving through the water column, and these guys will guard a spot. They're more beautiful than most photos - it's hard to get a good shot of their colours. But they are candidates for the best kind of tank - a single species community. neat fish to watch, but about as kind to other species as humans are.

The few aquarists who have gotten to keep them have often been caught generalizing, and thought they were "just tetras".
Opps. That was me.

Yah, I don't want anymore bottom dwellers besides the gudgeons, cories, and maybe a pleco (MAYBE)
Especially a territorial one.

Really understandable I do the same for me - though high ph, soft water is rarer. Make sure you check out the surrounding countries too like Vietnam, Laos, bits of China, a lot of them are similar to Myanmar in terms of geography, lots of limestone mountains and snow/rain run offs with alkaline water. The habitats that will be interesting to you will be longer winding rivers and steams where the water will break down and sit in pools and swamps that will gradually soften like the flood plains in the Amazon (not exactly but sort of). There will be a cross over in those areas where fish live long periods in water similar to yours and I think it would be reasonable to expect be adapted to it.

Oil Catfish and similar species might be a good option for you too, a few wood cat and dora species live in huge ranges from deep blackwater to coastal estuaries. I found out recently that parts of the Andes are limestone based so the run of from that will be harder than typical in most of South America but I don't know which species this would effect but I bet there are some in the aquarium trade from that kind of habitat too.

Wills

Very useful! I may save this post

You know what Myanmar species I saw?? Fire ring danios... Always wanted them. Love at first sight.
But I don't know if they would be a good match in my tank with the species I want.
I want to make sure the species I get aren't just random mis-matched colors that don't look good together. I want there to be some sort of steady "not-to-busy" coloration.
Like I don't want all the fish I get to look like mr.rainbowsprinkles

 

[GaryE]

"Fire ring Danios". Huh. Quite the trade name. I bred them years ago when they first arrived in the trade as Danio kiyathit. Nice fish, but very similar to Danio rerio, the zebra danio.

Honestly, I would never have guessed at that trade name. Nothing about them suggested a "fire ring". Maybe they feed them scorching hot peppers.

 

[Rocky998]

Well fire ring cause of their red colors and they have black dots...