Fishlover423

you could get a chichlid, they are not so hard to take care of and they are tons of fun!

caymansarah

oh and a picture of the tank:

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Jess

Beautiful tank. Nice job with the plants.
I could see a school of cardinals or a school of rummynose.
I'm sure you'll find something that will work.

caymansarah

Fishlover - I asked the fish store about cichlids but they said my tank wa stoo small (25gall) what do you think?

Jess - I was thinking the same about the cardinals but again the guy at the fishstore said that they are very sensitive......

Mind you - it wasn't the guy I like and trust. Maybe I will try again with him and see what he suggests.

caymansarah

Ah.....I just spotted on someone's post that driftwood is a no-no for certain types of fish....anyone know about this? Given that I have stuck driftwood in my tank, does anyone know which fish don't like it?

Jess

Drift wood will soften your water. Discus, neons, rummynose, cardinals all these guys like that a lot! So just decide what fish you want and then see what water requirements and go from there. Or better yet see what your water is and then decide what fish would be happiest. (I think that's what you started doing with temp requirements for fish)

caymansarah

Cool - Jess you're a star....you've been following my progress and I appreciate that. I have been studying your aquarium info...very handy!

Butterfly

Angelfish would be perfect in that tank the higher tanks would stimulate their immune system and when mature would keep them in breeding mode
Carol

caymansarah

ooooo really Butterfly? I like the sound of that. I will do some more Angel fish research

Mike19

don't they sell aquarium chillers which cool your water down once they get to hot.

Butterfly

I had some outside in tubs one summer and all they wanted to do was color up and breed
Of course you will have to provide good filtration and large water changes. Warmer water contains less oxygen so you would have to keep the tank in good condition.
Two angels would be max though
carol

caymansarah

So I was loitering in the fish store today studying the angels and a woman walked in who clearly knew nothing about fish - she said she wanted "lots" of bright coloured fish that wouldn't attack each other - she went from tank to tanks saying "3 of those, 3 of those, 3 of those and a few of these." She didn't bother to even look at what the fish were called or anything and even tried to throw in a few saltwater fish but the guy pointed out they wouldn't go in the tank. But what really shocked me was that he didn't ask the size of her tank, or whether it was cycled or anything. The only thing he vetoed was the saltwater and said no to her having angels. She was looking like she would leave the store with about 30 fish. I fear for them....but I thought it was pretty irresponsible of the shop guy to not ask any question or offer any advice to someone who clearly has no clue.

now regarding my fish - I think I will go for 2 angels but the guy said they are hard to sex and even if you do get a pair they may not like each other - so we agreed that as the fish are immature and small now, I would take a few - maybe 5 or 6 and identify a couple who are pairing and then return the others....do you think that sounds likea good plan or is it unfair to put fish through the transport stress. If not then how else can I be sure to have a compatible pair?

Butterfly

That is about the only way to get a pair. I would only get four though for that size tank even if they are small. My problem is that I get attached to them all LOL.
remember to post pics for us
Carol

caymansarah

Will do Butterfly.....still waiting for the cycle.

Hey Butterfly - I might be getting ahead of myself here - but if I have a single couple in a tank and no other fish at all - and my pair breed, are the fry fairly safe with their parents?

Butterfly

Depends on the parents but most angels will eat their fry after about three or four days free swimming anyway. In the wild the fry would be spreading out and hunting food for themselves by then and I'm sure even a few still get eaten. In an aquarium which is a closed environment they have nowhere to go to get away from mom and dad.
If I really want the clutch just spawned I pull them as soon as they go wigglers or maybe even wait until they go free swimming. There is a better chance of survival but require intense and time consuming care from the fish keeper.
If you get them young you will have a little while before worrying about breeding. I have kept tanks with just males or just females just for viewing not breeding and they are really pretty tanks. If you do this they have to pretty much raised together.
carol

caymansarah

hmmmmm...butterfly that sounds complex.

On another note I have found a guy who breeds and raises platys and mollies locally - his tank is the same temps as mine and his fish have not had the stress of international travel. Do you think I would be better off going with locally bred fish that are already accustomed to the water and temps here - rather than imported?

hkirchen

I think that would be ideal, and he would be a resource for which fish will do well in your circumstances since he clearly is able to make it work.

Good luck!

Butterfly

Sounds good If later you decide you want angels I'm sure there is somewhere to get them locally .
Carol