Need Some Help Choosing A Centre Piece Fish.

[fivecheebs]

Hi,

I'd like a few suggestions please.

I have a 125l tank set up with 6 glowlights, and 4 lampeyes. These can go back to their old tank perhaps in the future if required, but they are currently giving thier old tankmates, N. Multis, a rest while they rear a brood. There will be some Venezuelan Pygmy Cories in there also... about 8 i expect.

I am looking for a nice colourful centre piece fish. I really like the apisto cockatoo double red, and can get a pair from wholesale tropicals in bethnal green, close(ish) to where I work. The only thing is, reading up on them, they require soft acidic water, I have hard water that is slightly alkaline, so they are probably out of the equation, unless anyone can say they have had success in similar conditions. So I am looking for alternatives.

All ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Chris

 

[fluttermoth]

How about Bolivian rams? They're pretty tolerant of harder water.

 

[Monty-2010]

what do you think of a smallish gourami? like a dwarf gourami, or even smaller honey gourami

 

[fivecheebs]

Thanks

The Rams are an option... Not sure they are quite colourful enough for the boss, although they are close...

Maybe some dwarf gourami would be good, the honey's certainly wouldn't be colourful enough, even though I like them quite a lot.

Any other ideas?

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

The Bolivian rams are quite colourful. I'm afraid most of the really colourful fish require a bigger tank and or softer water.

I'm thinking about getting Bolivian rams for my centre piece fish

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Apistogrammas?

They aren't as hardy as the Bolivian rams though there are some truly beautiful specimens. I am a fan of the double red cockatoo myself.

 

[fivecheebs]

^^ the double red was what I wanted. I just dont think they will like my water at all.

I went to wholesale tropicals in London today, where I was going to buy them from, and they told me they currently live in PH6 water. Mine is 7.5 ish, just too much of a difference to risk it i fear. Im not sure I want to mess about with PH every water change really. Shame.

I saw some Bolivians in the flesh again today. They certainly aren't as bright as the double reds, but they are still very nice.

I read up on the dwarf gourami today, seems I have too much flow in my tank for them to be happy. Gah!

Could do with some more ideas please peeps

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'm not sure that the pH is such a problem... it just might take a slower acclimation process than normal. (I have no experience with this, it's just something I've read.)