OMG, THEY GET BIGGER!?

[pica_nuttalli]

so i had an unpleasent shock today; the LFS where I got my mostly full-grown Buenos Aires Tetras had a large schoal of further mostly full-grown BATs. while i had been told they'd get about a half-inch larger when i got them, actually seeing 3+ inch BATs now that i'm an owner is just too much to take in. they're already monstrous little gluttons; i don't think i could even begin to handle them if they got much larger. the big ones destroyed a clump of watersprite for crying aloud!

ANYWAYS. the reason i'm posting in chit-chat is that i'm trying to figure out exactly how i want to replace the BATs (oh yeah, i found a new home for them already). i'm definitely removing all 4 BATs to change my stocking to:

planted 60 gal
-- 1 Kribensis Male
--30 Kribensis Fry
-- 1 Otocinclus
-- 5 Dwarf Sunset Platies
-- 1 Columbian Blue Tetra
-- 1 Paradise Fish
-- 3 L-200 plecos
--12 Guppies (pop. subject to change)

here's some ideas i've had on replacements:

( 1 )

• 3 more Columbian Blue Tetras
• 5 more Dwarf Platies

( 2 )

• get rid of the colombian tetra too
• 10 green flame tetras (neon-sized)
• 5 more dwarf platies

( 3 )

• get rid of the CBT
• relocate the Paradise Fish
• 10-15 green fire tetras
• 6 lacefin croaking gouramies, Trichopsis schalleri

( 4 )

• get rid of the CBT
• lower the temp to ~24 C
• acquire as many "Chinese Blue Bitterlings" as my LFS can get their hand on

( 5 )

• directly replace with 4 Von Rio Tetras

Once I remove the BATs, the only really aggressive fish i'll have are the kribs and the paradise fish. i don't want to add another set of aggressive feeders like the BATs. i'd rather add some schoolers and definitely want fish with nice, bright coloration. but i don't want to invest in rainbows, largely because i'd really only have room for 4-5, which feels like too small a group to really justify it.

 

[ScoutCarcer]

Go with number 3

 

[Ethos]

• ( 3 )

[*]get rid of the CBT
[*]relocate the Paradise Fish
[*]10-15 green fire tetras
[*]6 lacefin croaking gouramies, Trichopsis schalleri

 

[OIJ]

I like number 3, nice idea.

 

[OohFeeshy]

( 6 )

[*]get another tank
[*]fill it with fish
[*]continue as above ad finitum

Personally I'd go with this one.

 

[Aylana]

Go with number 3!!!! (Or 6 is always a good option too)

 

[pica_nuttalli]

bump and hrm... i'm not so certain today that i really want to drop $40 on replacements.

i'd really like some input on the other ideas i've proposed. (oh and MTS is not an option for me.)

 

[djprincessx]

One thing I noticed is that you only have one Otto in there... they like to be in groups... so you should definately add a few more of those so your lonely one will be happy!

 

[pica_nuttalli]

One thing I noticed is that you only have one Otto in there... they like to be in groups... so you should definately add a few more of those so your lonely one will be happy!

yeah... but i really rather not increase the competition for algae wafers; its pretty bad already. plus i've got all the bottom-dwellers that i can sucessfully manage already.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Here's some more info on "chinese blue bitterlings" AKA Rhodeus sericeus to help you decide wether you want these fish or not ;

http/filaman.uni-kiel.de/Summary/Species...esname=sericeus