Don't Know What To Get

[matt1713]

i have a 48 gallon tank that i recently purchased and is in the stage of fishless cycling.

idk what to get but so far i want

an african brown knife

rainbow shark or redtail black shark (which one is better)

moon light gourami

senegal bichor

and an electric blue crayfish

what else can i get. i don't want angel fish
i thought of an african bio type but congos are expensive and i can't get an african butter fly anywhere but online

 

[Biulu]

The two sharks you mention are the same species. They get very agressive and big and I wouldn't add them. If you insist, then better the ruby shark, which is somewhat more peaceful.

 

[n3ont3tra]

The two sharks you mention are the same species. They get very agressive and big and I wouldn't add them. If you insist, then better the ruby shark, which is somewhat more peaceful.

Actually, they aren't the same species.

That's a Rainbow Shark, also known as a Ruby Shark, Epalzeorhynchos frenatus

That's the Redtail Shark. Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

 

[matt1713]

which one grows bigger because i want the bigger one

 

[-germ-]

I think biulu meant the same genera? (that could be wrong i'm also rubbish at fish family terminology)
They both get to a similar size ( i think )

 

[rdd1952]

The rainbow shark is the larger of the 2 but I think that is too many big fish for the tank you have. The bichir will grow up to 24" and needs at least a 48" tank. They will also eventually eat anything they can swallow. Also, you need to make sure there are no openings in the tank lid that they an get through. ABKs grow to 10 to 12 inches and can be very territorial (as can the bichir). Both fish need lots of hiding places. With the list ou already have, I would say you are already fully stocked.

 

[charliesmith]

my lfs was recommending butterfly fish to me only the other day! apparently he used to stock them but no one bought them he said he would get some in if i wanted them, so he can get hold of them!

where abouts are you!? im in central/north london

 

[vial]

The rainbow shark is the larger of the 2 but I think that is too many big fish for the tank you have. The bichir will grow up to 24" and needs at least a 48" tank. They will also eventually eat anything they can swallow. Also, you need to make sure there are no openings in the tank lid that they an get through. ABKs grow to 10 to 12 inches and can be very territorial (as can the bichir). Both fish need lots of hiding places. With the list ou already have, I would say you are already fully stocked.

that is not true. a senegal bichir will only grow between ten and twelve inches, and would be fine in a 48 gallon tank. I don't know if I'd personally have one with a shark, because the sharks can be pretty bottom-territorial.

 

[rdd1952]

The rainbow shark is the larger of the 2 but I think that is too many big fish for the tank you have. The bichir will grow up to 24" and needs at least a 48" tank. They will also eventually eat anything they can swallow. Also, you need to make sure there are no openings in the tank lid that they an get through. ABKs grow to 10 to 12 inches and can be very territorial (as can the bichir). Both fish need lots of hiding places. With the list ou already have, I would say you are already fully stocked.

that is not true. a senegal bichir will only grow between ten and twelve inches, and would be fine in a 48 gallon tank.

Below are first 3 links that appeared when I searched. I will admit that I am certainly no expert on these fish as I have never owned one. After looking at other sites, it appears that the max length stated varies greatly from 10" to over 20". I can't find the one I saw that stated 24". I wonder if the reason some sites mention the smaller length is that they have been kept in small tanks and stunted. The second site is the one that lists minimum tank size at 48" and as a general rule, in the past I have found Badman's Tropical Fish to be quit accurate.

19.5"

Up to 20"

16.5"

 

[matt1713]

is there any schooling or shoaling fish that could go in there and not get eaten

 

[rdd1952]

With the ABK and the bichir, I dont think you will be able to have any fish under about 4 or 5 inches. At least not after they get some size to them. Once they are getting closer to grown even that size may not be safe.

 

[matt1713]

i was thinking giant danios sinch bichir stays at the bottom and danios stay at the top also the ABK is to slow to catch the faster danios

 

[rdd1952]

I'm definitely not very knowledgeable on the ABK and the bichir but most predatory fish feed at night when the other fish are less active so even the danios may not be safe.

 

[matt1713]

will firemouths work in this tank like a pair