Video of my hillstream loaches playing

Vnessa123456

Thanks so much for your help Byron!

(Yes, that is my threadjacking boyfriend.)

I have a list here to a possible tank setup, do you think you could read it and tell me what you think? I'm throwing the cherry barbs into the bunch now! I know I'm being difficult in choosing compatible tank mates here, so I really appreciate your help!!


Hillstream Loach: 4
Xray tetra: 3
Kerri Tetra: 9
Cherry Barb: 7

I think we would have to keep the temperature at 75, after I read that the Kerri and Pristellas need temperatures between 74-81 and the hillstream likes temperatures under 75.

Undeceived

Byron, what about something like a Dunckers River Halfbeak?

Vanessa likes common pretty fish, I like rare active fish.

Do you think this halfbeak would work in our tank setup? Obviously, based on the fact that they fight to the death, we could only get one, but they come from rivers like the loaches, so they should be alright, right?

Byron

A temp of 74-75 will work. You need more Pristella though, at least 6 total; you could reduce the Kerri to 7, and a ration of 3 males to 4 females is best with this species. The Cherry Barb should work with this.

Byron

I've no practical knowledge of halfbeaks or garfish as they are sometimes called, and I can't seem to find much info online, at least not for this species. The fish are generally shoaling though, meaning a group, and given their temperament I think this is highly dangerous in this setup. Including predatory fish will almost always cause stress for the others and that brings on health issues if not death even though no actual physical assault occurs. Fish "read" chemical signals other fish produce. The c herry barb in particular would be scared to death in such a situation.

Vnessa123456

I'm glad the cherry barbs might work. I ended up taking the gouramis back to the fish shop today for a refund. I feel really upset about it but I think that I put them in way too early, and that they would be happier in a different tank setup. Maybe someday I'll have a different tank for them...

By the way Byron, I apologize for subjecting you to my and Undeceived's squabbles on this forum! Although I'm glad he is renewing his interest in the hobby, I'm going to have to agree with you on nixing the aggressive halfbeak idea. Maybe he was referring to this Malayan Halfbeak? Wrestling halfbeak - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Even so, I'm not sure that would be a good fit for the tank either.