[Lupin]

Any suggestions on an easier way to research different types of fish easily? Like a chart with a photo description, and important info about each fish? Something all in one place?

I had made a list of lots of fish species months ago. Not complete but the list has almost everything that are commonly available in your lfs.
Characins
Cyprinids
As there are several species of danionins and rasboras, I had to link the wikipedia to the thread. There's not much time to even keep updating the list.

Here's one for Galaxy Rasboras.

PlanetCatfish: Cat-eLog(Corydoras)
Note that you can't see all species in the market. Some of the cories were never imported at all hence you rarely can see some of those cories.

Nannostomus beckfordi
Diamond Tetra

 

[DanaJ]

Wow, nice links! When I have time tomorrow I'll go through them more carefully. Pretty exciting.
The diamond tetras are beautiful! Well most of the picture links are!
That planet catfish site is stunning! I'll have fun with that one too!
I can see why it's so hard to keep up with all the different types of fish and all that. Wow, overwhelming, but very interesting and fascinating!
Thanks again

 

[crazie.eddie]

(Message deleted by poster)

 

[musho3210]

Do not get hatchet fish as a begginer. They great fish, nice personalities, friendly to other species in the tank, but they are very sensitive to water conditions, I mean VERY sensitive. I wouldnt suggest you getting it.
Glowlight danios are genetically modified so there half danio, half jellyfish. It is just like dyeing the fish so do not get glowlight danios. I would suggest leopard or zebra danios, whichever one you like more.

 

[DanaJ]

I'm glad you mentioned hatchetfish and how they're so sensitive. Definately sounds like something I'm not ready for. It's okay though, I'm not sure they interest me as much as others, which is a good thing is this case.
I didn't know that about glowlight danios. They are neat looking, but again I had no idea about their background etc. I'll look into those danios you suggested.

 

[DanaJ]

I started to look more into types of fish that I'd think about getting. I like the cardinal tetras, along with the leopard and zebra danios. How many would be good to get? Would they get along if I got tetras and danios?
Are there any types of sharks that are low on the aggressive scale and would get along with others? I was just curious. I'd guess it wouldn't be a good idea to have them in tanks with most other fish, especially not long finned ones.
I need to find another chart that shows the types of fish, their aggressive levels, and all those other important things.
I feel like I can't get anywhere as far as figuring out exactly what fish to think about, and who gets along with what. It's very overwhelming.

 

[DanaJ]

My tank has now been set up and running since Monday. I used a dose of the dechlorinator that came with the kit the day everything was set up. It was the proper amount for a 29 gallon. I have not put anything else in the water.
When is it okay to add a few fish?
What kind of testing kits should I purchase? How do I go about testing it, and does it need to be before I add anything (I assume so)?
Would it be wise to start with some sort of cat fish or bottom dweller? Other suggestions? I'm eager to add a couple of initial fish, but understand it's important to be patient and to do things properly.

 

[musho3210]

I made a mistake, glo-fish danios are genetically modified, glowlight danios are not, sorry about this (its confusing)

To answer your questions

Starting off with a bottom dweller is alright as long as you research, Cories are hardy, but i will stick with starting off with a danio because those are really hardy and strong and almost immpossible to accidently kill

 

[DanaJ]

I plan on going out tomorrow and looking at what a reputable place has. Should I start off with 1, 2, or how many danio for this initial process?
How long after should I add a bottom feeder to the mix?

 

[Melissa]

Arent danios fast feeders. Is there food to give bottom dwellers. I only ask because i was going to get danios once and the lfs owner told me not to because they eat so fast that slower eater will not get that much food.

 

[DanaJ]

I've been looking into types of fish all morning. Here is what I'm interested in.
It seems like corys can coexist with certain sharks?
I'd like to add a shark(smaller size) to the tank. It seems like adding one is advised? Is the red tail or rainbow more likely to get along with a variety of other fish?

Here are some ideas on fish I've looked up and taken a liking to:

black spotted cory
trilined cory
yellow laser cory
panda cory


leopard danio
zebra danio

cardinal tetra

checker barb
cherry barb

glass fish

clown loach
kuhlii loach

rainbow or redtail shark- whichever is the more peaceful.


Would the above listed fish get along together for the most part? Suggestions on what to add/remove?
I would also need help on deciding amounts on each, if possible.
I don't want to crowd my tank, and this isn't set in stone, just gives an idea of what interests me so far.

 

[Guest]

Well personaly I would start with the danios they are good fish to cycle with. I never had an issue with them.

 

[Guest]

I've been looking into types of fish all morning. Here is what I'm interested in.
It seems like corys can coexist with certain sharks?
I'd like to add a shark(smaller size) to the tank. It seems like adding one is advised? Is the red tail or rainbow more likely to get along with a variety of other fish?

Here are some ideas on fish I've looked up and taken a liking to:

black spotted cory
trilined cory
yellow laser cory
panda cory


leopard danio
zebra danio

cardinal tetra

checker barb
cherry barb

glass fish

clown loach
kuhlii loach

rainbow or redtail shark- whichever is the more peaceful.


Would the above listed fish get along together for the most part? Suggestions on what to add/remove?
I would also need help on deciding amounts on each, if possible.
I don't want to crowd my tank, and this isn't set in stone, just gives an idea of what interests me so far.

Forget about the clownloaches they will get too big for your tank. As far as bottom fish stick with a few cories or a small pleco or a kuhlii loach. Neon tetras would be better than cardinal, cardinal are touchy when it comes to parmaters. Neons and danios get along well.

Start off with a few danios to cycle.

After cycle:

I would go with a school of Neons 6-8
a couple of bottom dweller.
You could try the barbs but I do believe they tend to be fin nippers.

You could also look into gouramis I had a pair of Pearl gouramis and they were wonderful. I never had a problem with them bothering my other fish.

Best of luck to you

 

[DanaJ]

Thanks Lauri. I'll either go out today before work or tomorrow to pick up a few danios to cycle my tank.
I'm pretty excited about starting to finally add fish!

How long do I need to have the tank cycle? When can I add in a few more?

 

[Guest]

While the tank is cycling you should test the tank every day for.. Amonia, nitrite, nitrate. Do small water changes if the readings get too high.

When the amonia and nitrite read zero and the nitrate start to rise, the cycle is complete. Keep in mind this may take a while everyones tank is different. At that point you can to being slowly to add more fish.

 

[DanaJ]

Wow, thanks Lauri.
I just came home from the local pet store that has one of the best reputations for fish. I bought 2 zebra danios. They were 99cents each.
They're active and cute!
There were so many amazing fish there!

 

[musho3210]

I would suggest you getting a normal danio, do not get the long-fined ones because they might get nipped a lot. Get at least 5 danios, 6 would be much better. You should go back to the fish store and buy 3 more, i started cycling my tank with 5 zebra danios and so far no casualties. When danios are kept in pairs one of them will be more domanent and will attack the smaller fish. WHen theres 5+ the bully can switch fish every once and a while .

Do you know how to introduce your fish. Your lfs will tell you to dip your bag in the water for 20 minutes before you let the fish it, they are wrong.

The best way to do it is to get a .5-1 gallon container, my .5 gallon empty fish bowl works fine. Put as much water as the danios need, just as long as they are fully submerged its fin. Now every few minutes take half a cup full of aquarium water and put it in the bowl. Repeat this process until youve added around 2/5 of a gallon. Now net the fish out and put them in your tank. This way the fish will not only get used to the temperature, but they will get used to the chemistry.

 

[musho3210]

DO NOT GET A RED TAIL SHARK, THEY NEED LIKE 1000 GALLON TANKS!!!

Red tail sharks arent peacefull and they grow very very very big. Do not get these for a 29 gallon tank. I dont think a 29 gallon can fit any sharks....

 

[Guest]

Zebra danios are great, we had those and it was always fun to watch them zip around the tank. Musho good advise on the introducing your fish to the tank also on gettin a few more danios they like to be in groups of 4 or more. Good luck DanaJ, have any more question dont hesitate to ask

 

[musho3210]

The good thing about danios are that they will eat almost anything you feed them. I feed my danios Tetramin Tropical Crisps and Frozen food. Make sure you feed your fish a variety so they wont get bored of one type and will get all the neutrients they need. Feed only once a day while cycling. If all readings are low during cycling, you could try feeding twice.