Trying To Build A Tank With Odd/interesting Fish

[cppeppers90]

Hey guys Im new here and this is my first post.

Unfortunately, My flowerhorn had a seizure and died last night so now i have an empty 30gallon tank...

I am trying to put together a list of interesting fish that are compatible for my tank.
So far this is what I have:

Senegal bichir (dinosaur eel)
http/filepit.freewebs.com/fruitbat/polybaby7.jpg

upsidedown catfish
http/www.aquariumlife.net/profile-images...own-catfish.jpg

black ghost knifefish
http/www.fishlinkworldwide.com/fish/prod...-Knife-Fish.jpg

glass catfish
http/www.cheapfish.co.uk/Glass%20Cat.jpg

whiptail catfish
http/www.aqua-fish.net/imgs/fish/farlowella-acus.jpg

discus
http/www.ratemyfish.com/images/ul/584/Re...-fish-5840.jpeg

Melanotaenia Boesemani (rainbow fish)
http/freenet-homepage.de/sliwon/desktop/...-copy-klein.jpg




I looked into it and the fish i selected all appear to be compatible, but I want your guy's opinions and input. Am I correct in believing these fish are compatible? Any ideas for other fish or creatures?

 

[LauraFrog]

Okay, I can see some issues with this. Firstly, the bichir cannot live in a thirty gallon tank as far as I know, it is too small. Also, it is highly predatory and will eat most of the other fish on your list.

All of the catfish you have chosen are okay, but you will need to research their water conditions individually as I don't know them all. BGKF grow fairly large and may eat the glass catfish. Some whiptail species would be fine in a thirty gallon, but others would grow too large.

Discus IMO are too large for a 30 gallon tank. They are extremely sensitive fish and need a lot of specialist care. They require very soft, acid water. Melanotaenia boesemani is adaptible but essentially a hard alkaline water fish. It will cope with medium-soft water and neutral pH, but not the opposite extreme (around 2/3dH and a pH around 6) as required for discus. So I think you would need to choose between these two species. 30 gals is borderline for M. boesemani. If you do choose them I recommend getting at least six and choosing mainly bottom or surface dwellers for the rest of the tank, as they would really prefer more open water swimming space and will be happier if they have it largely to themselves.

 

[kniesh]

Hi,30 gal is fine for a Senegal, not too sure the Bichiir and Whiptail woulf be too good an idea though. It may work depending on the species of Whiptail if you get one that hits 7" at least. The problem is they are so slimline and it may be viewed as food, someone else may have experience of this.

Discuss are not really community fish, and definately not in a 30gal tank. This would be too small to add them to with the likes of Boesmani rainbows. As for the Rainbows a group of at least 5 would be needed as they school together and them alone then would be pushing your stocking limits. A BGK is definately out of the question really for that tank too

I would go with

4xGlass Cats
1xSenegal Bichiir
1xUpside down Cat
1xWhiptail

for a schooling rainbow maybe add a dwarf species like the Neon blue Rainbow, maybe 5 of these

There is likely room for another oddball type providing its not too large. I think an elephant nose would max around 10" and may be a good addition thats odd

 

[cppeppers90]

Thanks for the quick responses guy!
I love the color of the Neon blue Rainbow but would they get killed by the bichir?
Elephant noses have such a cool shape, good suggestion.
and ok the discus is out.

 

[cppeppers90]

Also, arent elephant noses very hard to keep?

 

[LauraFrog]

Elephant noses are extremely sensitive to water quality. They should be one of the last fish added and should not be put in a tank until it has been cycled for around five or six months.

 

[cppeppers90]

My tank has been running since august.
any other suggestions?

 

[Dorkhedeos]

they are compatible, but the bichir will eat your other fish eventually.

 

[cppeppers90]

really?! some of those fish get pretty big, how big does the bichirs mouth get?
Anyone know approx prices on any of these fish?
I know a BGK goes for 8$ at the pet store near me but im not sure about the others.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

I would say the bichir has the potential to eat something 2 inches wide

 

[LauraFrog]

Prices will depend on where you live really... I mean, over here in Australia, fish are really expensive that are very cheap overseas. Tetras and plecos that are not dear overseas are worth a huge amount here. Even bettas are worth $10 here and $3 in the USA. But rainbowfish which are often in double digits overseas are worth only a few dollars for tank bred specimens only a few generations back from wild populations.

Are you certain the tank is cycled? If it is, you should be adding ammonia now (5ppm a day) so that it's still cycled when you get around to putting fish in it. All of the fish you're considering are relatively delicate, and will not tolerate a fish-in cycle.

 

[cppeppers90]

good to know, thanks

the tank should be cycled, its been going since august and my flowerhorn just died last night.

 

[LauraFrog]

I'm sure it is cycled... I'm just saying that if it takes you a few weeks to decide on what fish you want and track them down, it won't be, so you should get some ammonia just in case because you'll need to start adding it within a few days.

 

[cppeppers90]

yeah ill definately pick it up tomorrow, thanks for reminding me to keep it cycled.
I checked prices online and they seem to be at least ten dollars more than the local store charges per fish plus like 30$ shipping.

While im picking up the ammonia im going to see how much it would cost if they order the fish for me. I know theyd get them for me b.c theyve ordered for me before.

I am not really satisfied by the knowledge of the store owner though. He said a flowerhorn could live with other aggressive fish and suggested Jack dempseys and orcars as tankmates. All four of the fish i got were killed within a week. This is why i want to do my research before i buy fish again lol

 

[cppeppers90]

I am also wondering, whether i should use sand or gravel? From what I have read; glass catfish, whiptail catfish, and the bichir prefer sand.

I currently have a gravel setup, but Id be willing to switch to sand if it makes my fish happier.