A Tank Full Of Fish I Never See...

[sunrider]

My tank is not quite how I imagined it. Yes, I know this is my own fault for not finding out enough before I got started.

I have quite a few fish, but I hardly ever see any of them. I've got 3 male swordtails, 6 glass catfish, 5 bumblebee gobies and two half-beaks, oh, and a bristlenose (hardly ever see him and almost forgot about him!) The swordtails are ok, they swim around, but I don't really want lots of them, so getting females isn't really in the plan. Getting more males isn't either, as these three get along pretty well and I don't want to upset the balance there. The bumblebees are great, but I spend most of my time trying to find them to count them, same with the bristlenose. The glassies hide all the time, which is a shame, as I thought with a school of 6 they would feel secure enough not to. The half-beaks are cute but they're little and there's only two of them.

My tank is 40gallon, so there's room for something else isn't there? What would be a good visible community fish that I could have more than one of? (And I'd really prefer not to have mollies/platys/neons etc. )

 

[*Fishkies*]

(And I'd really prefer not to have mollies/platys/neons etc. )

Well that makes it a bit difficult. You certainly have some room for more fish.....I was thinking Cardinal Tetras but their the same as neons color wise basically. What about White Clouds or Glow-lite Tetras?

Maybe try checking out the oddball part of this forum. It seems like you may be interested in those types of fish.

 

[corygirl]

again, i have to suggest balloon mollies, even though you said no mollies. they are just so different and fun to watch. comical and pretty. i guess its becoming kinda obvious that they are my favorite fish

 

[sunrider]

Maybe try checking out the oddball part of this forum. It seems like you may be interested in those types of fish.

Ha-ha Fishkies, nailed it in one - I do like the oddballs. I'm really reluctant to make another 'mistake' with what fish I get. I've looked through the species section but nothing really jumps out at me (sorry for the pun).

Corygirl can you point me to some good pics of balloon mollies?

 

[*Fishkies*]

Did you try posting in there, there may be some that aren't listed in the species section....it happens. There may be something that is newer or soemthing, hope you know what I mean. But I would give a thought on posting especially if your interested in oddballs.

Have fun!

 

[corygirl]

none of the pics ive seen of them do them justice but here are a couple ive found:

http/www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/...s_pot_belly.htm


the pregnant molly in this link looks like a balloon molly
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=40443

 

[aquaticadmirer]

Most types of barbs swim right up front and can be very beautiful. Most barbs also prefer to be in groups, so you'd have to get at least 3 or 4.

One big angel might be a good centerpiece fish too.

 

[corygirl]

Most types of barbs swim right up front and can be very beautiful. Most barbs also prefer to be in groups, so you'd have to get at least 3 or 4.

One big angel might be a good centerpiece fish too.

oh thats a good idea barbs are very pretty fish. i would have some but they are too agressive for my tanks

 

[dwarfgourami]

Most types of barbs swim right up front and can be very beautiful. Most barbs also prefer to be in groups, so you'd have to get at least 3 or 4.

One big angel might be a good centerpiece fish too.

oh thats a good idea barbs are very pretty fish. i would have some but they are too agressive for my tanks

Not all barbs are aggressive- check out some different species.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

so you want something a bit different and unusual but colourful, active and will get along with the peaceful community fish you already have?

hmmmmm

do you like cories, not exactly unusual but very active?

what about dwarf cichlids like rams or apistogramma?

not 1005 sure on this so you'd need to do your own research but i think some killifish are ok in community tanks and they can be really stunning

 

[mark.w.jones]

Harlequin Rasboras

(My Avatar)

Congo Tetras are stunning.

 

[dthoffsett]

Zebra (and other) Danios might be something to look at. They aren't that colorful, but they are small, very active, and peaceful.

 

[corygirl]

Zebra (and other) Danios might be something to look at. They aren't that colorful, but they are small, very active, and peaceful.

blue danios are colorful, they have a light blue sheen and are sparkly, the long fin ones are gorgeous and they are very very active.

 

[celaeno]

i saw some dwarf flag cichlids, aka curviceps, at my lfs this week. they grow to about 3" and i've read that they change colors when breeding. you might want to look into those.

 

[fishlette]

My tank is not quite how I imagined it. Yes, I know this is my own fault for not finding out enough before I got started.

I have quite a few fish, but I hardly ever see any of them. I've got 3 male swordtails, 6 glass catfish, 5 bumblebee gobies and two half-beaks, oh, and a bristlenose (hardly ever see him and almost forgot about him!) The swordtails are ok, they swim around, but I don't really want lots of them, so getting females isn't really in the plan. Getting more males isn't either, as these three get along pretty well and I don't want to upset the balance there. The bumblebees are great, but I spend most of my time trying to find them to count them, same with the bristlenose. The glassies hide all the time, which is a shame, as I thought with a school of 6 they would feel secure enough not to. The half-beaks are cute but they're little and there's only two of them.

My tank is 40gallon, so there's room for something else isn't there? What would be a good visible community fish that I could have more than one of? (And I'd really prefer not to have mollies/platys/neons etc. )

your BBG (bumblee bee gobies) dont come out all the time. they have their territory and they fiercely defend it. i think this is why they are a lay in wait type hunter of food. my guys dont eat unless the brine shrimp or worms come right near them. they are strictly carnivores so if you dont feed live or frozen food i would start or they will starve eventually.

with the glass catfish, yes that is plenty for them to not be quite so scaredy. depending on how your tank is set up, that could be why they are not coming out much. my glassies always hang around together under the leaf cover of one of my plants. if they are not there they are somewhere where they have some cover therefore not hiding away where there is cover. i had the same prob with mine until i rearranged the tank.

with regards to your bristlenose, it isnt often you will see them. usually you see them mainly on the glass or scuttling from one place to another. make sure with your BN's that you give them wood in the tank so they can munch on it (aids with digestion) and dont clean your glass too much...he will do that for you

i would suggest some blue rams or even a couple of bolivian butterflies. the rams are pretty and while the bolivians arent anything to great colour wise, they have great personality and hang usually at the front of the tank