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Can't decide on what fish?

2K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  Byron 
#1 ·
So the trouble I am having is.

I am looking to setup a 100 gallon tropical freshwater curved front aquarium with minimal maintenance. I have prepared large pieces of driftwood inwhich I am going to attach christmas moss and Anubia and then place them on a fine quartz substrate. I'll have a bubble wall at the back and a 900lph filter built into the lid.

So here's the thing. I am looking for a peaceful tank. I am going to have a pleco for the bottom (my one big fish) he hopefully won't disturb the rooted anubia in the driftwood which will be placed central. I will be housing some cherry shrimp aswell. (we are getting a separate shrimp tank, so i'll take some babies) I am looking for a nice schooling fish that won't look too small but won't eat the plants or be nippy towards my pleco.

I like neon tetra but would need about 100 of them in my tank just for it to be worth it, would this be more strain on the filter than buying one big fish? I am interested in breeding fish also so this could help them breed?. I think they will be good with shrimp?.

I have looked into buying maybe 15 congo tetra as the show piece instead but I think they will eat the shrimp?.

Tiger barbs are nice but too nippy.

Basically, all I have right now is a definite decision on a gibbicep pleco. I don't want to buy an external filter, I am looking for a good balance for what I have where nothing will attempt to kill the other.

I however do not want platy's and/or guppies.

I prefer fish that have personality so if you know any that will swim middle to top of the tank and is peaceful then please let me know.

My first post on the forum. Looking forward to getting involved.

Thanks :)
 
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#2 ·
I have looked into buying maybe 15 congo tetra as the show piece instead but I think they will eat the shrimp?.

Tiger barbs are nice but too nippy.
Welcome to TFK! Others will have plenty of ideas so I'll hold off on offering mine but I do have Congos and shrimp are the perfect appetizer for them. The shrimp will be gone in the blink of an eye.
 
#3 ·
Thanks, I am looking for that feel of serenity.

I know it isn't easy with a large pleco because they rearrange the tank but I have had a lot of experience with plecos and think that I can make it work. It is the other fish I am not too sure about.

On an added note, I will be buying all the fish from small; just being prepared for when they reach max size. So I am prepared to have the tank looking empty till they get bigger (will give my plants a good chance to flourish)
 
#4 ·
I think the pleco may be a problem if you are looking to breed fish in this tank as it will probably go after the eggs. For small peaceful fish, I love my Rummy Nose and Harlequins.
 
#6 ·
Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps attains 17 inches according to Planet Catfish, and other sources say 20-244 inches is quite feasible. Even in a 100g tank this is a lot of fish with not much space. And the copious quantities of waste is something to consider, as it affects choice of filtration. And filtration limits possible tankmates.

Neons and most other "normal" SA characins (tetras, etc) do not appreciate currents, they occur in fairly slow-moving streams and flooded forest. Constantly battling currents cause stress to such fish.

Suitable tankmates to the pleco would be larger fish that can tolerate currents. Some of the medium-sized Central and SA cichlids, or larger characins or barbs perhaps. The pleco is territorial, another point to bear in mind.

Byron.
 
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