So, I've still been on that quest looking for the perfect niche fish for my 29g community. It's currently got: 3 swordtails (1 male 2 female), 2 golden wonder killies, and one (female) half of a krib pair. I plan on adding some sort of bottom dweller - I've been on the lookout for South American Bumblebee catfish but have only found the larger Asian type, so I may go with those kuhli loaches.
Today, while I was at the LFS browsing for bottom dwellers and order filter parts, I ran across the Egyptian mouthbrooder. They sound like the fit the bill for a second "centerpiece" fish perfectly! I had tossed around the idea of a ram or apisto, but decided against both because it's impossible to buy a single apisto and pairs are usually $40+, and against the ram because I can't find them for less than $14 and I'm afraid it'll die on me. Then, I was thinking about a badis badis, but was scared off by the fact that they'll only eat live food and even then might get out-competed. Then I wanted a knight goby, only to have people tell me the internet's wrong and that they need low-end brackish. D'oh!
So how about this Egyptian mouthbrooder? I've read they're very hardy (which is good) and stay peaceful, even when breeding (which is really good!). Anyone ever kept these guys? The LFS didn't know much about them (actually, when I brought them up, the guy said he had no clue and thought they were mislabeled) and they were going for $10 a pair. Should I grab a pair? Also, if I do get them, should I get a second female? They don't form pair bonds so I dunno how important it is to have multiple females.
Today, while I was at the LFS browsing for bottom dwellers and order filter parts, I ran across the Egyptian mouthbrooder. They sound like the fit the bill for a second "centerpiece" fish perfectly! I had tossed around the idea of a ram or apisto, but decided against both because it's impossible to buy a single apisto and pairs are usually $40+, and against the ram because I can't find them for less than $14 and I'm afraid it'll die on me. Then, I was thinking about a badis badis, but was scared off by the fact that they'll only eat live food and even then might get out-competed. Then I wanted a knight goby, only to have people tell me the internet's wrong and that they need low-end brackish. D'oh!
So how about this Egyptian mouthbrooder? I've read they're very hardy (which is good) and stay peaceful, even when breeding (which is really good!). Anyone ever kept these guys? The LFS didn't know much about them (actually, when I brought them up, the guy said he had no clue and thought they were mislabeled) and they were going for $10 a pair. Should I grab a pair? Also, if I do get them, should I get a second female? They don't form pair bonds so I dunno how important it is to have multiple females.