A Little Help Pls....

[Sporen]

Hi

I have been looking on this site for a while but only joined today. You guys seem to know what you are talking about so I decided rather than reading any more conflicting stories/info, I would just ask!

I have Rena 200 (6ft6"x2ftx2ft) that is currently housing 2 x ornate bichirs (8" and 11"), 1 red tail catfish aka Bertha (14"), 2 Silver dollars, 1 upside down catfish and one big old grumpy plec (13"). I have had to stop kidding myself and accept that Bertha is going to outgrow her tank at some point in the next couple of months to a year; and as much as I really want to, I can't afford a bigger tank. My bf is already questioning the huge electricity bill as it is and anything big enough to house a fully grown red tail is going to be expensive to run!

When the sad day does come I am going to get rid of the bichirs and silver dollars as well and house my upside down cat in a different tank (he was the first fish I ever bought and I am quite attached to General Sherman!). My question is this:

What oddball can I put in my tank either on its own or with the plec that isn't going to out grow the thing! I want a large fish with bags of personality to try and fill the void Bertha will have left, but I dont want to have to purchase a bigger tank.....................ever. But at the same time I dont want a small fish that is going to look out of place.

I have looked at MBU puffers, sting rays, arowana's and giant gourami but I think all of these will out grow my tank at some point. Plus as lame as it is, I would be scared to put my hand in a tank with a stingray when it came to cleaning out etc.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated as I am getting nowhere fast by myself.

 

[rixy]

there are plenty of fish to choose from.why not read the fish species bit of the forum,see what kind of fish you like and we can then help you choose.there are literaly 100's of fish to choose from.

do you want one large "wet pet"

do you want 3-4 large cichlids

do you want oddball/cichlid/other

if you can narrow things down a bit eg dont want cichlids,or want a few fish in the tank etc.

 

[khenghock]

If I'm not mistaken, a 6x2x2 feet tank is the minimum for an asian arowana, so it should be okay with your tank. The same goes with giant gouramis.. (unsure too ). But unless you live in the US, an asian arowana would be nice. They don't get as big as the south americans...

 

[Sporen]

I definately want one large fish (or maybe 2 if feasable) but not cichilds, and definately an odd ball.

Just had a quick look at the pinned puffer topic, quite like the look of a Fahaka puffer as it is not quite as big as the MBU but as they should be housed alone the tank might look a bit empty? Also, I have never seen a fahaka for sale anywhere which could present a problem when trying to buy one!

I had read somewhere that giant gourami and arowana's need at least 3 ft wide tanks to turn around comfortably?

Any suggestions would be helpful. I have considered loads of fish: stingrays, arowana's, catfish, gars, giant gouramis, puffers and eels, basically anything a bit weird and wonderfull and on the large side. I am just a little unclear as to which of these fish I could actually house permanently.

Also I would like a fish that is fairly active, I dont mind if they are nocturnal as I am not home during the day anyway. Just a fish with some personality.

And I like the interaction I have with my catfish, i.e hand feeding, so another fish with these characteristics would go down well.

 

[severum boy]

I woudent get a giant gourami, they get a bit too big. Instead, if your lfs can get one in, try a Red fin giant gourami (Osphronemus laticlavius). They are a bit smaller (50cm max) but much more colourful. However, they are also harder to find and are more expensive, but you wont find a more charecterful or cleverer fish anywhere elce.
This is an adult male.

 

[rixy]

a fire eel would make an interesting addition to your tank.they get to approx 20-30 inches in captivity and are stunning.

what about a couple datnoids

what about a african tiger fish.that would look stunning

what about a snakehead

have a read about the fish i've listed and see what you think.

 

[Sporen]

Right, I have had a think and there are few fish I want to find out a bit more about, pref from people who have actually kept them!

I am considering:

A red fin giant gourami
Any knife fish? Would these get to big again?
Fahaka Puffer
Fire eel (do this guys have to be housed singularly or could I have 2 together?)

Any more suggestions, info would be great! Thanks for the suggestions rixy, def like the look of a fire eel!

 

[madmac82]

what about one of the smaller gars? i handfeed my gator gar (when shes not in a mood) and are great to watch. not sure if your tank is big enough tho, but have a look.
as for the knifefish, i think ive only seen mine 2 times since i got it. with it bein nocturnal it spends all day hidding, but all night hunting, so i personaly wouldnt get one.

 

[DarkEntity]

Right, I have had a think and there are few fish I want to find out a bit more about, pref from people who have actually kept them!

I am considering:

A red fin giant gourami
Any knife fish? Would these get to big again?
Fahaka Puffer
Fire eel (do this guys have to be housed singularly or could I have 2 together?)

Any more suggestions, info would be great! Thanks for the suggestions rixy, def like the look of a fire eel!

The Fahaka Puffer would be in that tank alone, not with anything else as they are renowned for being the most aggressive of the Freshwater Puffers. Puffers do not make good community fish of any sort.

 

[Sporen]

As in I was considering one or the other, I know Fahakas are agressive, I am really torn between that or a red finned giant gourami if I can find one.

 

[DarkEntity]

Ah rite, if you are prepared for a fully grown Fahaka then it would be far more interesting than a Gourami, all Puffers are nosey, and will interat with the keeper if kept well. Just be ready for a tank thats at least 2 feet deep so at full size the Fahaka can turn around without problem.

 

[DiscusAngel]

Dark, did yo not read the post?! she has a 6x2x2 ready to do up. so... the fahaka will be perfect. all puffers have lovely chracters and even tho the only fish you wil get much fun out of him. you may be able to have a few plecs. but not sure someone will hae to help me on this one