Getting Some Trigonostigma Espei Next Week...

[eaglesaquarium]

Well, my tank continues to cycle, but I've made an order for 15 lambchop rasboras. It will take me two hours each way to get them, but they are just so much better looking than the other rasboras nearer to me. (And somehow they are a $1 cheaper each as well. )

Anyway, is there anything that you all can tell me about how to ensure that these guys are as "happy" as can be in my new tank. (Picture in sig.) Any special instructions regarding feeding, decor (plants will be put into the tank over the next week), etc. (Later on I will be adding a second shoal of fish, as well as a shoal of corys to the bottom.)



(The tank is currently cycling, but is well on the way to finishing up, I have 10 days before the fish arrive, so I think that the tank will be plenty cycled, but I will be testing religiously when they come just in case.)

 

[StandbySetting]

One of the most bullet proof fish I've ever kept, as hard as nails, just treat them as you would any other standard tropical fish, they'll appreciate tannins however.

 

[ian]

yep, they are as hardy as hardy can be. One of my friends cycled his tank with these and they still remain today, nearly 3 years on.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Thanks. I will put the mopani back into my tank to stay then!

Yeah, I was hoping that they were hardy (that's why they will be the first ones to go into my newly cycled tank... just in case).


Is there anything I can do to help them "behave normally"... Do they like dense planting, or sparcely planted areas more (or a little bit of both)?


As far as a second shoaling species are there any "peaceful" ones that I should avoid? For example, would zebra danios be too boisterous for them?


Thanks so much!

 

[StandbySetting]

If it were me I'd go for all T.espei, I'm a fan of large shoals of one species, their natural habitat consists of sparse planting, lots of wood, lots of dried leaves and heavily stained black water.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

If it were me I'd go for all T.espei, I'm a fan of large shoals of one species, their natural habitat consists of sparse planting, lots of wood, lots of dried leaves and heavily stained black water.

I appreciate that school of thought, but I am trying to sit between the large shoal of a single species and a community tank. That's why I am going with more of the "nano" species. None of the fish I'm looking at right now will grow more than 2 inches. That should allow for plenty of individuals, while also allowing for some diversity, as well.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

It turns out I'll be rescuing 3 harlequin rasboras right before I get the 15 espeis. Will they shoal with the espeis, or should I pick up a couple harlequins, and lower the espei numbers to 11 or 12?

 

[StandbySetting]

They'll be fine, and will school together.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Thanks, SBS.