isis

Hi guys

I would like to know if I can keep the following fish in one tank? (I’ve been looking around to see if all these can be tank mates, but I’m not really getting what I want) I’m hoping the more experienced folk – my friends on fish lore  - can give some ideas or suggestions.

I have 3 x + - 30 gal tanks and one 60 gal tank.

In the one 30 gal I have:
2 x baby mollies
2 x baby clown loaches – they will go to the 60 gal in a few weeks
5 x neons
1 x Indian glass fish – he will get 2 friends within a few days
1 x black placo – he will also go to the 60 gal in a few weeks.

In the other 30 gal I have:
1 x betta
3 x baby cory’s

3rd 30 gal will be for my puffers  -thinking of getting 2 dwarf green spotted puffers

The 60 gal is still cycling... but will have:
The 2 x clown loaches
The 1 x placo
(that is all thus far)

Now what I actually want to know...

Here is a list of fish I really like and would love to have... but I’m not sure at all if they will be compatible with any of my tanks (except for my betta tank)

1. Black Ghost Knife fish
2. Coolie Loach
3. Hatched fish
4. Wrestling halfbeak
5. Discus – this is the MAIN fish I’d like to have in my 60 gal – still working up the courage for them though.
6. Glass Catfish

If any of you have experience with these please give me some advice?

Thanks guys!

Chief_waterchanger

The black ghost knife would need a 100-150g tank minimal, from everything I've read on them, because they can get to 18+ inches in length and are ambush predators, which would probably, once large enough, eat the other fish.

I'm not sure about the wrestling halfbeak, because I don't think I've read much on them, but if it is a predator fish I would consider not putting it with Kuhli loaches, but that is just my idea and could be attempted responsibly to see how it turned out, as long as there was a safe place to transfer any fish involved in an altercation.

I would say scratch the ghost knife, (check the species on the pleco going into your 60, because if it is a common or a "gibby" it will probably get quite large), try the other fish and see how it turns out.

Just make sure to let us know!

isis

Thank you for getting back to me. I knew the ghost knife got big.. but did not realize that it got THAT big!
I'm still reading up on all those fish myself... and I'll try it out here and there and let you guys know.
Sometimes what the 'net' says is not always what we experience.

More advice is welcome

Butterfly

The Clown Loaches will also get quite large(12-14 inches) Mine got to 7 & 8 inches in a year from 1-1/2inches. Granted after the first year they slow down a lot. They also need lots of swimming room.
The Clowns will be too rambunctious for the Discus and glass catfish.
Kuhli Loaches are really cool. I would suggest you build a group of three or more(they like buddies).
What are you going to put in the tank as dither fish? If I'm not mistaken all the fish you've named are mid-water and bottom inhabitants.
Carol

isis

Butterfly.... that is why I am so glad to have you guys in my life!!! I presume a "dither" fish is the ones who spend most of their time higher up in the tank? (wow I sure am learning every day!!)... I'll have to go back to the drawing board for that one! - do have any suggestions?

BTW I really like the Royal Malefallowella twig fish... mmmm...

See guys... I am obsessed with fish!!! "My name is Isis and yes I am a fish addict"

I love looking at a tank to first see the obvious fish... and then notice something interesting at the bottom... then something else hiding behind a plant... then something else that moves behind a rock....and get all excited because I didn't notice that one over there....

that is what I want for my tank

Butterfly

There are many twig fish out there and they are all great. wwwplanetcatfish.com is a good place to go to research any pleco you are thinking about buying. It's a good place to dream about plecos in general LOL
You are correct about dither fish(see your learning). They are fish that swim around at the top of the water or mid-water. If these fish are swimming around as usual then the more skittish fish in your tank know everything is ok and will come out more. If the dither fish are paniced then the others know there is a predator or something disturbing them and the others will hide. I love the Danio family for this use. there are some very beautiful ones out there. http://www.danios.info/index.aspx check these out.
I have used Danios and white clouds in larger tanks and platys in a smaller tank. My 75g has Threadfin Rainbows(they are part of the main stock but work great for the bottom fellas as dithers) in it. the Kuhlis, corys, and Otos love it. Just give a yell if you need anything else
Carol

isis

Carol you are amazing!! thank you so much for you advice!!! Oh trust me I will yell my head off if I need something !!

Thank you so much

Butterfly

Welcome as always
carol

kacie

You mentioned hatchet fish. I think those could be dither fish.

Butterfly

Yes Hatchet fish would work. Just have to keep the top tightly covered as they will jump out.
Carol

soldieroffortune1974

Hello Isis,I have been absent for a while,but I see you may be interested in a Black Ghost.They are very interesting,but you have to be careful. They are predators,but are very peacable with other large fish.Just don't put them with anything that they can put in their mouth,OR will mess with them.

The interesting thing about the Black Ghost,is their defense mechanism. They emit an electric pulse and can be quite painful.WHen they are small,it's not bad,but as they get bigger,so does the strength of the pulse.They get about the size of a Common Plecostamus,and are very graceful. They hide during most of the day,and not really sociable during daylight hours.

If you eventually get 1,make sure you supply lots of hiding places. I have a cousin who can give you any information on these fish you like.He has been breeding and raising them for many years (about 12 I think,but don't quote me) Let me know if you get 1,they are really beautiful and graceful and a joy to watch.

pinkfloydpuffer

Dwarf green spotted puffers?! Never heard of such a thing! Lol.
I thought you were using a 15 gal for the puffs, maybe not though. But with 30 gals you could have one GSP, 2 f8s with caution, or I'd say 4 (up to 6, but 4 would be safer) dwarves with caution.

isis

soldieroffortune1974

thank you for your reply on my thread! I do love them! they are so awesome!! I will let you know!!