New fish

[dsch132]

If caging wildlife is the most detrimental thing to animals then I might wanna start thinking about giving up the hobby all together. But I’d like to think that since most pet fish are raised in captivity that’s not the case and furthermore that the aquarist is given a little leeway regarding certain species that can be housed together and a little leeway with certain water parameters. I could be wrong but hopefully not.

Yeah, there are instances where leeway is given and exceptions to rules. I keep black skirt tetras (known fin nippers) with my angelfish and, after careful observation, have concluded that my shoal is safe. They've never bothered each other. I've also dealt with emergency situations where I had to make decisions that would have been unthinkable under other circumstances (adopting a betta from a biology laboratory and prepping a tank way too quickly for my liking). However, we should all strive to do what is best for our animals.

Experiments and shortcuts should not be shots in the dark. Even a poorly prepared tank (which I have since improved) was better than a plastic cup for that betta. People who compromise on tank size had better have an amazing water change routine and filtration system. People who try unusual or daring fish combinations had better do their research and have a backup plan if something fails. We don't just want to keep living ornaments. We take pride in, not just keeping our fish alive, but in providing them with good lives. It makes me happy to see them flourish under my care.

 

[Jimmy74]

You came here for advice from other aquarists about how to stock your aquarium. They're going to give you said advice and you may not like it. No one can force you to do anything but I'm going to give you my recommendations.

I have kept angelfish since childhood, successfully and less successfully before I knew what I was doing. With a tank that size, you could house a pair of angelfish and some other compatible additions. I wouldn't try for more angels than that. They grow to be large and can be absolute arseholes to each other, especially in cramped quarters with little cover.

Boesemani rainbowfish get to be around 4 inches long and prefer groups of at least 6. I wouldn't keep a shoal of them in anything smaller than a 55 gallon tank. If I were you, I would re-home yours and think about a smaller rainbowfish species or something else all together.

As for corydoras catfish, they are fully compatible with angels and an excellent species for a 40 gallon tank. However, as others have mentioned, they are shoaling fish, even more so than the bosemani.

Most species of shoaling fish can survive alone. Many large or active species can also survive in tanks too small for them for a good while. However, survive is about the extent of it. They will never thrive- their color and behavior will always pale in comparison to responsibly kept fish and you'll miss out. Their lifespan will also likely be shorter and stress will lead to increased risk of disease. In the case of large fish in small tanks, increased bioload will also put pressure on the system, which is terrible for water quality.

A human being can survive alone in a single tiny room provided their most basic needs are met. However, you would like to live in that room for the rest of your life?

In summary, were I in your position I would re home the rainbowfish, create a Cory shoal (or re-home that too and find a different species), get another angel and work from there. Just avoid anything that is likely to nip your angel's fins or get eaten. Best of luck. I hope you make a wise and compassionate decision.

Started with 3 angels had to keep one lots of badgering

 

[Avel1896]

Well, I consider that since we impose captivity on fishes for OUR pleasure, we must provide them with living conditions as identical as possible to their biotope. That means respect their lifestyle, feeding style, etc.
This is how I kept my Betta CT for 7 years.

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

Well, I consider that since we impose captivity on fishes for OUR pleasure, we must provide them with living conditions as identical as possible to their biotope. That means respect their lifestyle, feeding style, etc.
This is how I kept my Betta CT for 7 years.

Yes! This exactly!

Keeping fish may not be 100% humane at the very best of times, but if you plan on keeping fish then do it right. Don't do it haphazardly just to say "maybe I'll give up" when you're told that your methods are flawed. Treat fish with respect. They're living beings, just as cats, dogs, birds and all other things are.

 

[Sgooosh]

read the whole thread, i think my brain is a lot lighter, think i lost most of my brain cells SMH ?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

read the whole thread, i think my brain is a lot lighter, think i lost most of my brain cells SMH ?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍?‍View attachment 132864

< Real image of my brain after participating in this thread.

 

[Sgooosh]

Yes! This exactly!

Keeping fish may not be 100% humane at the very best of times, but if you plan on keeping fish then do it right. Don't do it haphazardly just to say "maybe I'll give up" when you're told that your methods are flawed. Treat fish with respect. They're living beings, just as cats, dogs, birds and all other things are.

yes! imagine if you were a *facepalming, braincell losing* fish that was being put with dangerous others and your owner is just like "its just a fish....."

 

[Sgooosh]

View attachment 132865< Real image of my brain after participating in this thread.

scared to open my head to take a pic of it. * i think i am getting these dumb ideas because of loss of briain cellls

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

yes! imagine if you were a *facepalming, braincell losing* fish that was being put with dangerous others and your owner is just like "its just a fish....."

Maybe I should spend some more time convincing myself that my community fish don't need tankmates so I can save on money. One neon tetra, one rummy nose, one amano shrimp, e.c.t...

 

[Sgooosh]

Maybe I should spend some more time convincing myself that my community fish don't need tankmates so I can save on money. One neon tetra, one rummy nose, one amano shrimp, e.c.t...

"last braincell, noo dont go i need you!!"

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

"last braincell, noo dont go i need you!!"

Think I sneezed out a good dozen on page one of this thread. I can't keep doing this to myself. ?

 

[Avel1896]

Started with 3 angels had to keep one lots of badgering

Angelfishes are schoolingfish that should live in groups of at least 5. Within this group, a hierarchy will be set : a leader-dominant and the dominated. This hierarchy can be set in a few hours or a few weeks. Hence the quarrels/rows. Increasised during the breeding season. They ARE cichlids. It's a part of their lifestyle. Reason why they need a long and tall tank offering many hiding places as refuges to escape badgering, being a 150 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm as a minimum tank, much planted, and acidic soft water.

 

[Jimmy74]

Yes! This exactly!

Keeping fish may not be 100% humane at the very best of times, but if you plan on keeping fish then do it right. Don't do it haphazardly just to say "maybe I'll give up" when you're told that your methods are flawed. Treat fish with respect. They're living beings, just as cats, dogs, birds and all other things are.

Well if I were going to do it ‘right’ then I’d keep maybe 5 bosemanis in say 125 gal. and that would be it. I mean after all most keep only 1 dog in whole house. I think they would be happiest imho. Even bigger would be better but my house ain’t that big.

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

Well if I were going to do it ‘right’ then I’d keep maybe 5 bosemanis in say 125 gal. and that would be it. I mean after all most keep only 1 dog in whole house. I think they would be happiest imho. Even bigger would be better but my house ain’t that big.

Whatever you say. I'm not the animal abuser in this situation.

 

[Jimmy74]

Whatever you say. I'm not the animal abuser in this situation.

Whatever you say. I'm not the animal abuser in this situation.

Me either and if you could watch my fish u would agree lol