New Stock

[McKevlar]

I've got a 3 foot, 200 litre tank. It's fairly densely planted, and I've got an 1000lph external filter. The current stock is:

12 Harlequin Rasbora
2 Peal Gourami (m/f)
5 Gold Zebra Loach

I'd quite like to stick to the Asian theme but I'm a little bit unsure of what else to add, and how much more space I've got. I reckon there should be a fair bit of space left to use.

Fish I am considering (I wouldn't add all of them, obviously):

Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish
Honey Gourami
Thick-lipped Gourami
Croaking Gourami
Kuhli Loach

I think I'd quite like another group of shoaling fish for the middle. I'm not a big fan of Barbs in general, which limits my options somewhat, but I think there should still be plenty of compatible species to choose from. I am very much open to suggestions here.

I'm wondering if anybody has experience of mixing Pearl Gouramis with any of the other more peaceful Gouramis? I was apprehensive about mixing Gouramis with Botia Histrionica but they have proven to be absolute softies.

 

[McKevlar]

Nobody? I thought at least Crossfire would be all over this!

 

[McKevlar]

Well, I ended up adding 8 Black Ruby Barbs and a lovely pair of Honey Gouramis.

 

[LongS]

Botia histrionica are absolute beauties and i keep them at the moment with a big fat african catfish (temporary).

Such lovely little characters and i wouldn't worry about keeping them with anything at all they won't bother anything. They don't even bother guppies and things like that. How many are you keeping?

If it was me i'd definitely go with Honeys so great choice there, infact honeys and pearl gouramis together is something i've wanted to do for ages as they are both very peaceful types of gourami and would compliment each other superbly in my opinion, please let me know how they are doing and add some pictures if you could!

I am also setting up an Asian tank, Thai/Burma/Irrawaddy/Salween type thing. (Basically a biotope built completely around the Botia Histrionica. But have to wait to rehome the monster somewhere first (featherfin syno)as i couldn't trust him with the likes of danios or smaller rasboras. They'd end up as dinner.

Black ruby barbs are nice looking fish and from Sri Lanka if i can remember correctly? anway keep us updated, i like Biotopes.

 

[McKevlar]

Well, the current stock is:

12 Harlequin Rasbora
2 Peal Gourami (m/f)
2 Honey Gourami (m/f)
8 Black Ruby Barb
5 Gold Zebra Loach

I'm not sure how much more room there is to play with but I think I am close to my limit now (if I'm not already there). I'd be interested in adding to my B.Histrionica group, if there's space. As you say, they are wonderful fish; so playful and full of character.

So far, everything is doing great. The Honeys are hiding a bit but I expect that will stop once they've settled in. The Pearls did the same at first. I will try to get some photos up soon.

 

[crazyforcordoras]

I would have done Glass Catfish, personally. But black rubies are nice too, especially males in breeding colors.

 

[McKevlar]

Ah, they're a good shout. I used to have some of them in a community tank when I was a kid. Unfortunately my tastes must have changed over the years because I don't like the look of them anymore. My Dad's still mad about them, though - some 20 years later!

 

[LongS]

Yeah i would add to the Histies if i were you, they would only be better off for it and wouldn't have any problems in my opinion.

 

[McKevlar]

Yeah, I've never kept them before but I'm really loving these guys! I've asked my LFS to reserve me some of their next batch.