Swifterz

i truly don't have the desire for a 2nd tank.

i have thought about a 10 gallon long with cardinal tetras and some plants, but i've been saying that for a long time and have not done it. it would just seem ordinary to me compared to my big tank.

Swifterz

i think getting some plants in there will encourage me to get some other smaller fish besides tiger barbs.

i love the look of cherry barbs



those are beautiful fish that are small and peaceful. then for some bottom dwellers maybe some yoyo loaches.

how would this be as far as stocking?

3 Bala Sharks
1 Rainbow Shark
8 Cherry Barbs
10 Tiger Barbs
3 YoYo Loaches

a nice variety of fish and the entire community would be peaceful.

Blub

Well you know what I'm going to say about Balas - find a new home for them before getting more fish... Once their gone though... That sounds like an awesome stock list. I love YoYos and I wish I had some space for them! Cherrys are cool fish as well. I have a small school myself and I have done for about a year.

Swifterz

are the cherrys very active fish?

kimb

Hi Swiferz...I feel for you, I really do! You seem to be fighting against yourself and what you want vs what you know you have space for. I'm not going to comment on the Balas, been there done that. I think plants, or some other interesting decor may go a long way in the tank being the way you want it. My 55g has a gorgeous long piece of driftwood that runs the length of the tank creating caves and neat places for my corys to hide. With this as my centerpiece, I used ALOT of artificial plants, coming from under the log, behind beside etc. I added some really unusual rocks, large and small, redid the bottom with sand, added a different background. Because my fish are large, I could only have a small number, but the set up really made a difference. The tank looks amazing even without fish. Maybe give it a try, it didn't cost much since I live on the river and could gather rocks for free, maybe some shale struturesBe creative! Once you have made a final decision, stop looking for a while LOL. Its kind of like seeing the perfect christmas gift...you buy it....the sure as heck, you will either see something you like better or see it on sale. I truly hope you find what you want, and are happy with it. Best of luck to you

Blub

Oh yes! They aren't hyper speed or anything, fairly placid but consantly swimming in the day. Great little fish! They don't tend to school much, they often go alone but often swim with another Cherry.

And, along the lines of what Kimb said... As an interesting cave idea, what about a coconut cave 'village' for your YoYos and Rainbow. Here's a link: http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects...oration/87.asp I have one and I have never stopped loving it (My betta however, has a slightly different opinion!)

Swifterz

well i went to 3 pet stores, got an AWESOME piece of driftwood. i'm about to put it in and i will take pictures. i looked at both cherry barbs and yoyo loaches but didn't pull the trigger. like it's been said i just want to be 100% certain i get something i will be happy with this time. i would have definitely got the yoyo's but they were $8 each and i didn't want to spend $24 for 3 of them. for the cherrys, a m/f pair was $3.50.

i really appreciate all the info/advice that has been given here. i realize i'm very stubborn, but you all have been so helpful and friendly. i know you all are just wanting what's best for the fish. i've been keeping fish for years, but i've never had a tank this size or been so serious about it. i am addicted. thanks for keeping your patience with me!

Swifterz

switched to sand and added some more driftwood. here's a few short video clips...

whole tank shot showing off the sand and new driftwood


tiger barbs hanging out near the brand new driftwood


my 3" rainbow shark


one of the bala sharks
DtypKs

ignore my 3 year old talking in the background, haha.

gmen4life

looks like a rts to me and how many barbs did you get they give some action to the tank for sure i had balas from the start also and wanted to mix and match what didnt work im addicted also aka ,mts kicked in i had to so i could have what i want and now well i want more lol it never ends i wanted to mix mbuna with all kinds of things and theres tons to learn from fishlore your tank deco looks awesome by the way good job!!! when i get rocks for my set ups i get them from the river its free that way just have to boil them keep up the good work!!!!

Swifterz

thank you. there are 10 tiger barbs.

gmen4life

sweet i do like them just dont have the tank for them the rts can hold his or her own could teach the barbs a lesson if need be

kimb

Looks really good!!!

Blub

If you go for Cherrys, try maintain a ratio of 1 male to every 2-3 females. I have 1 male with 5 females. Loaches in general I've found aren't the cheapest fish, but if YoYos are a bit expensive that check out Zebra Loaches... Also, have you seen Congo Tetras? They are awesome coloured fish that get to about 3" long. Also check out the rainbowfish family - some of the most common ones are Dwarf Neon Rainbows and Boeseman's Rainbows. BTW, if you really want to see a load of fish check out this link: http://www.aquahobby.com/e_freshwate...arium_fish.php
It's got loads of decnt pics of fish and some basic info.

Tanks looking cool! I'd have live plants in there personally but if you don't ant to try then you don't have to. If you do want to, then Cryptocorynes, Hygrophilas, Vallisneras, and Ambulia are some really easy plants which I find are almost impossible to kill.

Swifterz

ok, i have been to SIX pet stores in my city yesterday and today, intending looking at cherry barbs and yoyo loaches, but everywhere i've gone i have been so tempted with the firemouths. they are just so beautiful.

i've gotten different answers on whether or not they will go in my community. most have said they "could" attack my other fish, but two people said they aren't really mean, just territorial, and they are one of the more peaceful of the new world cichlids.

i am not going to get cherry barbs. in the end i think they are just an ordinary, small fish that i would wish i hadn't bought after a few days. i really want to go get some firemouths and try it out. they are only $2.50 each.

since they are going to be the last fish introduced into the tank, and not very large (yet), do you think this will work? i still have them, so it would be 3 bala sharks, 1 rainbow shark, 10 tiger barbs, and then the firemouths.

gmen4life

i would have to say wouldnt work they will kill your other fish i wouldnt put them in my all mbuna tank cause they are pretty but are like rattle snakes

jdhef

I just googled Firemouth's since I don't know anything about them. The one article I read claimed that they were peacful except when spawing. So it sounds like they could work in your tank, but don't base your decision on my recommendation since I only read the one article.

gmen4life

well peacefull to their own kind

gmen4life

i seen them fight on utube lol

Swifterz

ahhhh i don't know what to do. i want to try them but i'm just not sure. i'm reading the subforum about firemouths on this site. they have their very own section.

it seems like a lot of people have put them in communitys and not one has said they killed the other fish yet. it sounds like the other fish will just stay away either out of instinct or once they have been chased off once. i'm guessing the firemouths are not mean, just territorial.

i could always rearrange my slate rock to make lots of caves and thus more hiding places.

jdhef

Well it sounds like you really, really want them and the fish you have "should" be able to hold their own if there are any problems, It would probably be a good idea to have a back up plan just in case if you do decide to get one.

Swifterz

yes i keep trying to turn myself off of the idea but i can't. every time i go to look at peaceful fish, i just stare at the firemouths in amazement. they are so beautiful! and they are just about the right size for what i'm looking for. they max out at about 5", which would make them a beautiful "showpiece" fish. i still have my balas though haha.

gmen4life

man you need alot of tanks you want everything lol over stocking causes stress ya know

Swifterz

i got two firemouths about 2.5" long. they have been in the tank for 10 minutes or so and they are just swimming around ignoring the other fish and the other fish are ignoring them.

Tony G.

oh wow, Fm's top off at 6-7"
i was considering getting 1 for my 32 gallon and felt it wouldnt be appropriate for them, your tank is fully stocked again...
how long did you acclimate them for?

Swifterz

at least 45 minutes while i rearranged my slate to try to make them caves for territory

Tony G.

ok keep an eye on your parameters

Swifterz

gmen4life

good luck to ya

Swifterz

thank you sir!

gmen4life

ar they a pair?