An Alien Abducted My Husband

So I went to the LFS with the husband.
Keep in mind that this is a non-fishy husband. He thinks I'm nuts for contracting MTS and is one of 'those' people who don't 'get' keeping fish because u can't pet a fish.

Anyhow. I'm in the LFS looking at tanks. I wanted to look at a small hex tank for either shrimp or a betta. I figured if my 2nd tank was small, the hubs wouldn't have a heart attack. Then I could EASE him into eventually having a room filled with tanks (lol). So my intention was to look at a 5g… or if he gave me 'the look' there was a 3ish gallon too. All I really knew for sure was small but tall.

So I'm in the tank isles and he walks up behind me and looks at the little tanks on one side of the isle and then turns to look at the larger tanks on the other side of the isle. He finds a 15 gallon pillar w a pretty small footprint on a really nice stand... and turns to me and says 'I think you should wait until we can get this one instead and put the betta in this with some nice rocks and plants. Wouldn't that make the fish happy instead of being in one of those tiny cups they sell them in?"

I didn't know if I should cry or jump for joy!
I was so proud!

 

Awesome! now all you have to do is buy it before he changes his mind lol

 

It was not me!

 

Haha, maybe he has caught MTS from you, but it's only in the beginning stages. A betta would be very happy in a 15 gallon or you could have an awesome shrimp tank. You should probably get a written approval for the future when you go to buy the tank . It'll be nice to see when you get the tank and set it up.

 

I gotta wrestle the moolah together. Obviously it's a BIT more than a tiny lil' hex tank. (not to mention I'm putting a roof on my house this week! Ugh!) So yes...I think I need to write something up and have him sign it. So he can't say I DREAMT this. Lol!!!

Can anyone recommend anything else a betta can tolerate in there w him? I'd probably get a male. I know some like badgering snails and eatting shrimp... but maybe it would work because it's a tall pillar?

Tank


Stand

 

Can anyone recommend anything else a betta can tolerate in there w him? I'd probably get a male. I know some like badgering snails and eatting shrimp... but maybe it would work because it's a tall pillar?

I've kept African Dwarf Frogs with one of my female Bettas, but because they both ate pellet food it was a pain to feed them and make sure the frogs got enough. :-\ I have a 10 gallon with a young male Halfmoon Betta that gets along fine with my other 4 platies and 5 ghost shrimp. Some Bettas do enjoy munching shrimp but none of mine have never bothered them. Because the tank is tall I doubt you'll have any problems... but you never know.

I've never kept snails with my Bettas... I've considered it a lot lately though.

 

Can anyone recommend anything else a betta can tolerate in there w him? I'd probably get a male. I know some like badgering snails and eatting shrimp... but maybe it would work because it's a tall pillar?

With bettas it is somewhat of a risk. They can be docile when you get them, then they become aggressive towards anything in the tank. Given the size of the tank it may be less likely to occur, but still a possibility. Mine has been in the 10 gallon community tank with no aggression towards the rasboras or kuhlI loaches in the tank. Also, don't put anything brightly colored in with the betta that it will see as a threat. There are also some schooling fish that are fin nippers, but the only ones that come to mind right now are danios. They seem to like the flowing fins.

Have you checked out craigslist for any tanks? I have seen some nice small setups in the Chicagoland area for low prices.

 

Tetras and other short-finned and quick-swimming fish are good choices, a lot of people put neon and cardinal tetras with bettas. Compared to most other people asking about tank mates for bettas, you have more options with the 15g.

I agree with chevyguy8893, bright colored fish are a no no. Not sure how my betta has got along with my platies so well.

 

Have you checked out craigslist for any tanks? I have seen some nice small setups in the Chicagoland area for low prices.

Craigslist kinda.... scares me. I dunno why. But I may have to look...

I know some bettas are more tolerant than others. I do have another tank to save whatever may go astray. So that's good. I was hoping that the height of the tank would open up a few possibilities that were less likely to head into disaster-land. I'm a bit nervous about that thou. And I'd feel horrible if some poor unsuspecting shrimp turned into lunch.

 

Craigslist kinda.... scares me. I dunno why. But I may have to look...

I know some bettas are more tolerant than others. I do have another tank to save whatever may go astray. So that's good. I was hoping that the height of the tank would open up a few possibilities that were less likely to head into disaster-land. I'm a bit nervous about that thou. And I'd feel horrible if some poor unsuspecting shrimp turned into lunch.

It's understandable to have a fear of craigslist people, I generally don't trust any of them because a lot of them are weird. If you find something and talk to the person over the phone, just have someone with to check something out. Just avoid anything in Harvey, Chicago Heights, and Gary .

That is good that you have a backup plan if things don't work with the betta. Another peaceful fish I forgot to mention is the Galaxy Rasbora. It is a small fish, up to an inch I believe, that is supposed to be a good community fish. If there will be a decent amount of cover from plants and decor it generally makes shrimp feel comfortable. I had ghost shrimp in with the betta and I worried more about one shrimp killing others over the betta doing anything.

 

With bettas it is somewhat of a risk. They can be docile when you get them, then they become aggressive towards anything in the tank. Given the size of the tank it may be less likely to occur, but still a possibility. Mine has been in the 10 gallon community tank with no aggression towards the rasboras or kuhlI loaches in the tank. Also, don't put anything brightly colored in with the betta that it will see as a threat. There are also some schooling fish that are fin nippers, but the only ones that come to mind right now are danios. They seem to like the flowing fins.

Have you checked out craigslist for any tanks? I have seen some nice small setups in the Chicagoland area for low prices.

You have Kuhlis in a 10 gallon? I'm sorry to get off track here but Kuhlis need a bigger footprint than that. My group used every inch of the 40 gallon they were in and still use every inch of the 29 gallon they're in now.


Back on track. Congrats on your husband seeing the light! That tank is a bit tall, almost 14 inches. Bettas are used to 12 inches deep. My suggestion is to get a plakat betta so they'll have an easier time swimming up to the surface to get air when they do than a full-finned betta would. Plakats also move much faster thanks to their shorter fins. I surprised me the first time when I saw how fast a Plakat can go. Quick little things.

As for a community tank, bottom dwellers tend to do well with bettas. You could try Pygmy Cories if you can find some. A Dwarf Cichlid like a single or a pair of Apistogrammas could do well in that tank. If you can find Trifasciatas, go for it, but other options are Borellis, Cactouiodes (sp?) Orange Flash, etc. Harlequins are great fish, but I find that EspeI rasboras, which look VERY similar to Harlequins, have MUCH more color. Harlequins look dull and drab when compared next to an EspeI rasbora. A group of 6 would do well.

A Mystery snail could round everything off and you'd have a great little busy tank.

 

You have Kuhlis in a 10 gallon? I'm sorry to get off track here but Kuhlis need a bigger footprint than that. My group used every inch of the 40 gallon they were in and still use every inch of the 29 gallon they're in now.

I should have said they were in the 10 gallon when I found the wrong info about them. So I learned, and they are now in my 20 gallon with sand and are much happier.

 

I should have said they were in the 10 gallon when I found the wrong info about them. So I learned, and they are now in my 20 gallon with sand and are much happier.

That's great! I applaud you, sir.

 

Back on track. Congrats on your husband seeing the light! That tank is a bit tall, almost 14 inches. Bettas are used to 12 inches deep. My suggestion is to get a plakat betta so they'll have an easier time swimming up to the surface to get air when they do than a full-finned betta would. Plakats also move much faster thanks to their shorter fins. I surprised me the first time when I saw how fast a Plakat can go. Quick little things.

As for a community tank, bottom dwellers tend to do well with bettas. You could try Pygmy Cories if you can find some. A Dwarf Cichlid like a single or a pair of Apistogrammas could do well in that tank. If you can find Trifasciatas, go for it, but other options are Borellis, Cactouiodes (sp?) Orange Flash, etc. Harlequins are great fish, but I find that EspeI rasboras, which look VERY similar to Harlequins, have MUCH more color. Harlequins look dull and drab when compared next to an EspeI rasbora. A group of 6 would do well.

A Mystery snail could round everything off and you'd have a great little busy tank.

I wasn't aware of the depth issue for a betta. Thanks for that bit of info. If I put a good chunk of substrait in there.... and a nice rock formation with plants, would that help?

I don't think I'm familar with Plakats at all. I'll have to look that up.

The corys sound like an option I'd be more comfortable with trying with a betta. If I can't find the pigmys would pandas be okay? They're pretty small too.

I love love LOVE the apistos I've seen floating around this forum (lol, pardon the pun). I'm assuming that your mention of them would be an alternate to the betta. I actually am hoping I can find 1 male for my 27 cube as a centerpiece fish. I actually saw a couple of other cichlids at petsmart today that were very tempting, but I really would prefer to give my moolah to a mom and pop shop for fish.... plus the cube isn't ready yet, cycle-wise. Ugh. I believe the names of the fish I saw were BrichardI Cichlid and Turquoise Jewel Chiclid. Very pretty fish and friendly too. A few were following me as I peered in their tank. Thou I think those get slightly bigger than an apisto, if I'm not mistaken.

I definitley want to locate a purple or magenta mystery snail for one of the tanks.

It's understandable to have a fear of craigslist people, I generally don't trust any of them because a lot of them are weird. If you find something and talk to the person over the phone, just have someone with to check something out. Just avoid anything in Harvey, Chicago Heights, and Gary .

That is good that you have a backup plan if things don't work with the betta. Another peaceful fish I forgot to mention is the Galaxy Rasbora. It is a small fish, up to an inch I believe, that is supposed to be a good community fish. If there will be a decent amount of cover from plants and decor it generally makes shrimp feel comfortable. I had ghost shrimp in with the betta and I worried more about one shrimp killing others over the betta doing anything.

Hahahahahaha your warning areas are quite hysterical. I will remember to put those on my no-no list if I decide to brave the Craigslist world. I used to be an ebayer. Dealing with some of the people you find on their is bad enough. At least you don't have to meet them for pickup of your average item. Now tanking on CL.... that's another story. Hahaha! I'd definitley have to bring a friend or two. With my luck I'd find a tank from the next serial killer in the making.

Galaxy Rasbora: hmmmm, that's tempting too. Lots of good ideas here!

 

I wasn't aware of the depth issue for a betta. Thanks for that bit of info. If I put a good chunk of substrait in there.... and a nice rock formation with plants, would that help?

I don't think I'm familar with Plakats at all. I'll have to look that up.

The corys sound like an option I'd be more comfortable with trying with a betta. If I can't find the pigmys would pandas be okay? They're pretty small too.

I love love LOVE the apistos I've seen floating around this forum (lol, pardon the pun). I'm assuming that your mention of them would be an alternate to the betta. I actually am hoping I can find 1 male for my 27 cube as a centerpiece fish. I actually saw a couple of other cichlids at petsmart today that were very tempting, but I really would prefer to give my moolah to a mom and pop shop for fish.... plus the cube isn't ready yet, cycle-wise. Ugh. I believe the names of the fish I saw were BrichardI Cichlid and Turquoise Jewel Chiclid. Very pretty fish and friendly too. A few were following me as I peered in their tank. Thou I think those get slightly bigger than an apisto, if I'm not mistaken.

I definitley want to locate a purple or magenta mystery snail for one of the tanks.



Hahahahahaha your warning areas are quite hysterical. I will remember to put those on my no-no list if I decide to brave the Craigslist world. I used to be an ebayer. Dealing with some of the people you find on their is bad enough. At least you don't have to meet them for pickup of your average item. Now tanking on CL.... that's another story. Hahaha! I'd definitley have to bring a friend of two. With my luck I'd find a tank from the next serial killer in the making.

Galaxy Rasbora: hmmmm, that's tempting too. Lots of good ideas here!

That would help if you had a deep substrate. It'd be better to hold the plants as well. I would not recommend gravel that's more than an inch and half deep. All nasty kinds of stuff can build up in gravel that deep.

Here's an example of a Plakat. This one belongs to Cichlidnut on here. It's a Red-Gold Halfmoon Dragon Plakat. Bascially all plakats are is a betta with shorter fins.



There are some incredibly amazing Plakats on Aquabid if you're willing to go that route but I know Petsmart and Petco, etc, have been selling plakats too though sometimes they're mistaken as female bettas. With Aquabid, the sellers know their stuff, usually. Another option for you is a King Betta. These get twice the size of a normal betta and have short fins too. Cichlidnut also has a King Betta named Odin. You might like to check out the rest of this thread for other versions of bettas.



Aquabid also seems to be the best source to get an Apistogramma. That's where I got mine and the others who got Trifasciatas from me were from. The cichilds you mentioned would be too large for this 15 gallon, you're right. And Apistos are definitely an alternative option if you don't want to go the betta routine but I don't see why you can't have both. They both have incredible personalities.

I would usually say okay for Pandas but this tank is taller than it is wide. Cories need more of a footprint than this. Pygmy Cories can usually be found on Aquabid as well. Two options are Corydoras Hastatus and Corydoras Pygmaeus. You could try your local LFS to see if they can order these fish, including the Apistos.

Rougey used to breed purple and magenta Mysteries but he doesn't anymore. You can try your LFS but Petsmart/Petco etc usually has poor quality Mysteries. A private seller would be your best bet for one that has a healthy shell.

Galaxy Rasboras are great! They're more commonly known as Celestial Pearl Danios.

 

If your tank is properly oxygenated the depth shouldn't be a real issue. I'd only worry about it if you didn't have a good oxygen source. One of those betta hammocks would probably be a good idea, though, so he can take a nap near the top if he wants. (disclaimer: I do not keep bettas).

Galaxy Rasbora is the Celestial Pearl Danio's old name, from before they decided it wasn't a rasbora. Be careful, because Pearl Danios are NOT Celestial Pearls and are often mislabeled as CPDs.

Congrats! I've been blessed in that I have a honey supportive of my fishkeeping. <3

I don't know about Brichardis but Jewels are NOT for community tanks, and need at least 29 gallons. They are absolutely not what you're looking for.

I get my tanks off Craigslist but I always have a couple people with me. I never go alone.

 

That Red-Gold Halfmoon Dragon Plakat is gorrrr-geous! I think I have actually seen one of those mislabeled as a female, just as you described.

Luckily I think I will have some good options around me for NON petco/petsmart stores. And one I know will order. My brother in law and nephew keeps a Saltwater tank and highly recommend a local shop really close to me. The convenience would be ridiculously awesome if their recommendation ends up being merited! If I strike out I will try aquabid. Thou I'm seriously paranoid about receiving live animals thru the mail. I have no idea why, because obviously the stores have to get them that way too..... must have something about feeling personally responsible for deaths if something goes wrong. LOL

Considering the footprint, how many pigmys? They like groups, yes?

LOL all the names and abbreviatons for the same fish are quite funny. Imagine that, the fish must be so great that it needed more than one name over the years. So the CPDs are good with Bettas? I assume you only have a few in there with your betta, chevyguy?

(and, yes I would only do one or the other...CPD or pigmy... just trying to get a handle on the options.)

LOL, I'm picturing a little laddar comprised of those leaf hammocks
Just kidding.

 

LOL. Nap ladder XDD

I'm reading that Celestial Pearls can do some fin-nipping. Probably not the best idea for a betta tank.
They also seem a bit particular about their requirements. They want fairly soft, slightly alkaline water. If yours is much off that I wouldn't recommend them. I'm also reading that the majority are wild-caught, and also extra-sensitive due to that...something to think about. Try to look for American-bred-and-raised if you do get them.

 

That Red-Gold Halfmoon Dragon Plakat is gorrrr-geous! I think I have actually seen one of those mislabeled as a female, just as you described.

Luckily I think I will have some good options around me for NON petco/petsmart stores. And one I know will order. My brother in law and nephew keeps a Saltwater tank and highly recommend a local shop really close to me. The convenience would be ridiculously awesome if their recommendation ends up being merited! If I strike out I will try aquabid. Thou I'm seriously paranoid about receiving live animals thru the mail. I have no idea why, because obviously the stores have to get them that way too..... must have something about feeling personally responsible for deaths if something goes wrong. LOL

Considering the footprint, how many pigmys? They like groups, yes?

LOL all the names and abbreviatons for the same fish are quite funny. Imagine that, the fish must be so great that it needed more than one name over the years. So the CPDs are good with Bettas? I assume you only have a few in there with your betta, chevyguy?

(and, yes I would only do one or the other...CPD or pigmy... just trying to get a handle on the options.)

LOL, I'm picturing a little laddar comprised of those leaf hammocks
Just kidding.

Sounds good. I was paranoid like you about getting live animals through the mail once but now I do it all of the time. I also ship fish and shrimp myself with no problems, usually. If anything does happen to them, it's usually either the seller's fault or the post office's fault. However, what happens to them once you get them is on you.

Cories are definitely a group fish. I would recommend no less than six. As for the oxygenated water, yes, that helps a betta fare with the depth. Bettas are a labyrinth fish, so they have a single lung so they also gulp air in addition to their gills. Gourami are the same way. That's why bettas are so hardy and can live in nasty little cups: their lung.

The CPDs are an interesting fish. When they were originally discovered, they were mislabeled. Then the scientific community realized that they were actually danios and they got renamed CPDs instead of the Galaxy Rasbora name. Some fish have more than one name because of this. Ask your LFS where their fish come from. CPDs have proven to be very easy breeders and have been becoming more and more captive-raised than wild-caught. They're excellent at being bred because they can be kept in little 5 gallons. Sometimes it's one male and two females or it's two males and four females in there. I know this because I considered breeding them at one point. They also prefer cooler water, so they don't require a heater but bettas do.

 

Maybe stick with something that also prefers a betta's water temperature?

I wish I could get CPDs myself, but they're so small I wouldn't be able to see them from across the room, LOL. Who knows, my Roy Barbs might eat them, too XP

 

Man, I'm really torn here!
And my 27 is borderline cycled. Finally. LOL
So of course I want to buy the 15 now.

I'm definitley looking for Apistos. As to which tank they will go in, I'm not sure now. LOL
Checked with the local non-chain shop yesterday. Really liked them when I noticed that 75% of what they offered food-wise was NLS. They're only about 10-15 minutes from me. They do get the apistos in occasionally, and suggest to keep checking back. They get fish in every day. Also no pigmys. Only pandas, and those were out of stock too. I have a couple other places to check that aren't as close, possibly next weekend. A few downtown too, should I feel the urge to deal with crazy Chicago drivers. Seriously, as soon as you cross city limits all the rules of the road go out the window. LOL
Hmmmm.... crazy drivers or aquabid.... hmmmmmmmm.......

I'm thinking the 15 is either going to be a betta or the apistos.

Thou if I find the apistos and put them in the 15, I will have to rethink the stocking plan for the 27 (note my profile).

The local shop did have SidthimunkI botia dwarf loaches (sp?). I didn't know much about them but they were tiny and intersting. They had 3 of them tanked with glo danios, various tetras, and 2 electric blue jack demseys. I know chevyman mentioned loaches with the betta. Thou, these guys were a bright yellow and black. I wasn't sure if that would be a good idea.

Yah. I'm creating a problem for myself here. Can't decide! Good thing I couldn't find anything this weekend that was on the 'list'....

 

I gotta wrestle the moolah together. Obviously it's a BIT more than a tiny lil' hex tank. (not to mention I'm putting a roof on my house this week! Ugh!) So yes...I think I need to write something up and have him sign it. So he can't say I DREAMT this. Lol!!!

Can anyone recommend anything else a betta can tolerate in there w him? I'd probably get a male. I know some like badgering snails and eatting shrimp... but maybe it would work because it's a tall pillar?

Tank


Stand

My crown-tail is living with 7 cherry barb, 3 black neons, 4 otos, 10+ assassin snails, and 20+ ghost shrimp... but they are living in a 29 gallon tall.

I have yet to see anyone eating or chasing anyone its really peaceful...

 

Can I ask what store you went to that gets apistos? Do you know if they ever get females, or just males?

Congrats on bringing your husband over to the dark side!

 

Oak Park Natural Pet and Fish
23 N Harlem Ave (closest intersection is Harlem and Madison)

This place is run and owned by the guy who used to do Scott's Pet Shop.

The owner wasn't there when I ran in (during football Sunday, lol!), so his helper was the only one there at the time. I didn't expect it to be that crowded considering football, but it was. The helper was completely swampped with unexpected customers and was trying to do water changes at the same time! So I think he didn't believe he'd have a lot of store activity either, LOL! So I didn't want to pester him too much. That being said, I don't know about the male vs female question. But he did say that the apistos are only received on occasion because their supplier doesn't always have them.

He also mentioned that the panda cory's sell out very fast. He said that if I go in and see a crowd... I should just catch his attention and quickly ask if there are any Panda's available... because if I wait 'my turn' he may sell 6 of them while I'm waiting there. :shock: His words, not mine!

Crazy! That being said, I may have to try and stop in a few times a week. LOL

I know someone who knows the owner. So I may go back in there during a slower time, and drop a couple names and see if I can get the owner to do a special order I'll keep you posted.

 

Man, I'm really torn here!
And my 27 is borderline cycled. Finally. LOL
So of course I want to buy the 15 now.

I'm definitley looking for Apistos. As to which tank they will go in, I'm not sure now. LOL
Checked with the local non-chain shop yesterday. Really liked them when I noticed that 75% of what they offered food-wise was NLS. They're only about 10-15 minutes from me. They do get the apistos in occasionally, and suggest to keep checking back. They get fish in every day. Also no pigmys. Only pandas, and those were out of stock too. I have a couple other places to check that aren't as close, possibly next weekend. A few downtown too, should I feel the urge to deal with crazy Chicago drivers. Seriously, as soon as you cross city limits all the rules of the road go out the window. LOL
Hmmmm.... crazy drivers or aquabid.... hmmmmmmmm.......

I'm thinking the 15 is either going to be a betta or the apistos.

Thou if I find the apistos and put them in the 15, I will have to rethink the stocking plan for the 27 (note my profile).

The local shop did have SidthimunkI botia dwarf loaches (sp?). I didn't know much about them but they were tiny and intersting. They had 3 of them tanked with glo danios, various tetras, and 2 electric blue jack demseys. I know chevyman mentioned loaches with the betta. Thou, these guys were a bright yellow and black. I wasn't sure if that would be a good idea.

Yah. I'm creating a problem for myself here. Can't decide! Good thing I couldn't find anything this weekend that was on the 'list'....

I forgot to mention the third of the Dwarf Cories - Corydoras Habrosus. They're usually labeled as Salt And Pepper Cories. You could ask your LFS if they can get those if they can't find the other two. They're neat little cories.

I'm not too familiar with botia loaches, but I did find this nice page -

Aquarium Size

For long-term maintenance an aquarium with base measurements of 60cm x 30 cm or equivalent should be the smallest considered.

Maximum size - 2.5 inches. I'm not surprised they say they need a group minimum of 5, as loaches are a shoaling fish. Some loaches are snail eaters, but I'm not sure if those are but a Mystery should be fine with them since it'd be bigger than these guys. According to the second site, the base tank requirements don't meet what you want...

If you really like something we discussed, there's absolutely no reason why you can't give Aquabid a try. Try it with something easy and small if you're nervous, like the Purple/Magenta Mystery Snail or some plants.

 

Thanks for the info on the loachs. Considering the base size requirement I don't think it will work for either tank I have/will get in the near future. I'm also concerned about the substrate. I like the look of polished pebbles. Not sand. Probably not good for the loches according to site #1. Too bad, they were mighty intersting to watch! Was really tempted to get them, but kept hearing a voice in the back of my head saying 'research! research!'.... glad I listened. LOL

I will try and locate either the pigmy or salt/pepper for the 15 gallon column...

Apistos are definitley in order for one of the two tanks. I so love you and KZ89's avatars.
I think I may let chance decide for me. If I find them in a literal store, how many I come home with will determine what tank I put them in... and if it leaves the 15 gallon column free for a betta. LOL

I've got an APB out of the purple mysteries. I also was given a lead and sent a message to another member. If that doesn't work out, and the stores I need to check don't work out.... maybe I will try Aquabid for a snail first. If that doesn't end up in tragedy, then maybe I'll be more confident with shipping live animals. I would ship them to my work, and they'd have to sit on my desk until I left for the day

Between the corys, snails, betta, and apisto options.... what would you consider 'stocked' on the 15g?
All the options have gotten a bit confusing and I want to make sure I have this straight in my head.
I believe one of the options was 2 apistos. (alone? or with snails or corys?)
Another is the king betta or plakat betta (plus whatever else he'll tolerate - corys? snails? how many?)

Thanks again, all!

 

The cories actually prefer sand because it's easier on their barbels and they like to dig through it. However, there are members who have kept them with gravel with no issues. As long as your stones are smooth and can't hurt their barbels, I think it'd be okay. Maybe have an area set aside with sand for them? Some people do substrate combinations like that.

Sounds good. Hopefully the Fishlore member will work out. As for your work, they've been in the box for days, they can wait a few more hours as long as they're not in a cold or a hot place but your work should be fine, IMO.

For a 15g, I think the stock of 6 small Cories, a Mystery or two, one Apisto and one plakat Betta OR two Apistos OR a King Betta would work fine. The King would be twice the size of both the Apisto and a plakat, and that means more bioload. Basically, the King would produce the waste of two fish.

Keep in mind that Apistos are a mid-level to bottom level fish. They don't go up to the top level much but Bettas will since they'll be going up to gulp air. If you go the Apisto route, your top level will look empty.

 

I think dwarf cichlids are all sensitive to water quality, so I wouldn't recommend them in a 15. A pair also needs about 20g. IF you decide to go that route anyway, those would be all I put in there.

 

They are, but breeders have kept up to 4 (One male, three females) in a 15 gallon without any problems. They're commonly used to breed Apistos. However, those tanks are longer than this one. This one is more vertical. When I had an Apisto breeding setup, it was in a 15 gallon.

 

Hmmm, lots to consider here.

I think I may get the apistos for the other tank. 27 cube.
Currently it has 6 glo danios in it. Which may or may not stay.
This is the tank I wanted the pandas, more snails, and an apisto (or 2).
I also wanted a group of rasboras, but I think I can only do that if the danios don't stay. I'd be overstocked, yes?

As for the 15 gallon column, I'm leaning towards the group of pigmys, a snail or two, and the king.
Are they hard to find? I don't think I've ever seen a king in a LFS. Fairly positive I've seen all the other varieties, thou... mislabeled or otherwise LOL.

Do the cory's have to be in groups of 6? I know they like friends, but I've heard other people get away with 3 to 4. Just curious...

The King would be twice the size of both the Apisto and a plakat, and that means more bioload. Basically, the King would produce the waste of two fish.

How 'big' (or not) are the apistos? Kinda hard to tell from the avatars, especially since I have yet to see one in person. And I'm kinda visual. They look big in the pics, but that can be misleading.

 

Yeah, I think you'd have to tank out the danios to fit all those.

I have four cories, but I have been strongly advised by a member I respect to bring it to 6. I have to wait until I have the cash, lol.
The biggest apistos generally reach about 3 1/2 to 4 inches, I think.

 

I figured. That's okay, the rasboras would have been last on the stocking list. So I will cross the danios vs rasboras bridge when I get that far

Okay, I will go with 6 of whichever version for whichever tank.
In that case, I will definitly try and find the pigmys for the 15 gallon to go with the King, since they are the smallest.

Holy cowz, I'm finally getting all these options properly narrowed down. LOL

 

LOL I know what you mean, for sure XD

 

Sounds like you're finally getting somewhere! Woot! It's always fun and exciting when a plan comes together.

Eienna said it right, the biggest Apistos get to 4-3 1/2 inches big. It depends on which one you get. For example, my Apisto. Trifasciata, aka Big Daddy in my avatar, is 3, maybe 3 1/2 inches long. He's a big guy for his species. Most of the males I've seen get to 3 inches and the females stay smaller at around 2 1/2. If you see that your LFS has Apistos, do the research on that particular Apisto to find out how large they get. I strongly recommend this practice for any fish you're considering anyway.

I have seen Petco sell King Bettas but they don't get them in much. These guys get up to 5 inches. I've known one that got up to 6 inches. Big guy. You'd have better luck finding one on Aquabid but you can always ask your LFS or Petco to get one in for you. They cost more than a normal betta or a plakat, but you get more for your money.

And yes, you need at least 6 for your cories. Cories in the wild are known to school in the hundreds. It's really quite a cool sight to see them all school together. There are videos on YouTube if you want to look them up and see it happening.

 

I really would like to get exactly what you have. The trifasciata. I've been drooling over the pictures as soon as they started appearing on FL. Hahaha! That's not a bad size. Not too big, not too small. I know it is considered a 'dwarf'.... but are there other apistos that are smaller?

I read something on the internet regarding the name 'king' to be a petco thing. As if it was a newer version of betta? I also read that they tend to be less aggressive, which is good. And while they are essentially a large plakat, that they could also be a mixed breed betta? Interesting. Anyhow, perhaps petco just started selling them first? I'll have to ask if my non-chain LFS ever gets them in. I did look on Aquabid.... there were only a few...all being shipped from overseas. Then I saw petco had an online order for them. Not sure I'd want them to randomly pick out what color variation I got. I'm bit too OCD for that. LOL I actually have a color in mind, thou I'm not sure if the Kings are available in all the regular color variations.

I have a bad feeling that all of the stock list is going to have to be either seriously searched for, ordered, or mailed. LOL! Thou I guess I aught not complain. Being in the Chicago metro area, I have more options.

 

Stopped at non chain LFS on way home today. Owner was there and there was only one other customer in there but me. Did my name dropping and he is going to order pandas. They should be in Friday. So as long as I can get there I should have them for the 27g. But his supplier isn't offering the apisto trI for order. No apistos scheduled to be received at all in the next week either. Ugh. He wants to convince me to get electric blue rams which will also be in in Friday. I said no to rams. I really want the triFasciatias.

Will probably take a trip to a few stores downtown on Saturday. Planning on going to Shedd Aquarium to drool too. Lol

I saw one apisto trI on aquabid. One. Wow.

 

Apisto Trifasciatas are relatively hard to find in America. Not in Australia. Someone on an Apistogramma only forum there in Australia who had 200 fry of A. Tris.... *drool*

If the seller is Wet Spot on Aquabid, he is excellent. In fact, several of mine that I sold later on came from him. However, his supply comes from Asia, and while they're very colorful, the usual method of telling males apart from females is that males have more blue while females will turn yellow when they're ready to mate. The Asian suppliers have been breeding BOTH sexes to have BOTH colors as well as longer ventral fins (the pointy long first two-three fins on the top. You can see it in my avatar.), which is usually typical to the male and the females have shorter ventral fins. So it really is a bit risky to get a pair or more from him because there's no guarantee of sexing them correctly. It's almost impossible to sex them when they're juvies/babies.

As for the King thing, yeah, it's a petco thing. It's a whole controversy over that name but supposedly they're half breeds of Giant Bettas and the normal bettas. Others have said there are other versions of bettas in them. Who really knows? There's so much misinformation out there that I choose to just call them King Bettas. It's easier that way.

As for overseas, there's nothing wrong with that. Several of the fish and several of my shrimp came from overseas. I have Red Cherry Shrimp that came from Thailand, Burma/Germany (technically...), etc. The transhippers will take care of the livestock for you before sending them to you.

 

200 fry?! Wow, definitely drool worthy!

Yes, it was Wet Spot. I will have to remember that name for the future then. If they are that hard to find in America, then I may only try one more super-reputable fish shop that is downtown. If they don't have them, aquabid it is! I'd like a male... I really love that blue color and the ventral fins... but it's not a sell-kill if it's a female and/or yellow. Either way, they are cool fish. If I go for a pair.... is it problematic to end up with 2 males or 2 females, versus the preference of 1 of each?

I have numerous petco's I can hit. So perhaps I will just start with that when I am ready for the king (need to get the tank and cycle it first! lol). I really don't want to give them my moolah, but if I can find one that looks like he's been treated reasonably well, perhaps it will just be easier to get it from them.

Have you had any problems with sickness when dealing with Aquabid or overseas fish shipping?

 

2 females won't be much of a problem, just give them territory to establish. Two males... well, you know how guys are. Two males will be constantly displaying, charging and chasing each other. The dominant one will pick on the submissive one when he sees the other one. At one point, I had FOUR males together in one 40 gallon tank. They coexisted...somewhat. Usually one was the most dominant and the others were submissive. But that was a tank that they had plenty of room to escape to if they needed to. With your 15 gallon being vertical, there's really not much room for one male to escape if they need to, so I don't suggest two males in a tank that small.

The way you can tell which one is the dominant one is it'll be doing the charging and chasing and it'll be displaying his colors and his fins pretty frequently and the other one will have subdued colors with very faded stripes. It's quite something to see them go from being pale then suddenly all colorful with big, bold stripes down their sides. Happens in a split second. If you want to get a pair of undeterminate sex, then I recommend you be prepared to have TWO tanks. That way if there's issues, then you can separate them.

A male will still chase a female, though. All males in general of any species do that. It's important that you give the female a few caves that are too small for the male to get into. That way she'll have a safe place to go to.

For decor, they like heavily planted tanks with plenty of caves such as overturned terra cotta pots, natural caves made by driftwood, places they can hide in, etc. Floating plants are appreciated because their natural habitat has floating plants with heavy plants underwater.

For Aquabid or overseas shipping, no, I haven't. Pretty much all of the fish/shrimp/etc. I've gotten from Aquabid were fine. If they died, then it was because of something else or my own fault. For overseas, they'll give you a list of transhippers. Pick one and e-mail/call them to discuss arrangements. Usually they'll check the health for you. The transhipper will receive the fish then host them for a bit to prepare them for shipping again. Some sellers on Aquabid are actually transhippers themselves.

 

If you decide to get a King betta and are in the suburbs, I'd check out the PetCo in Glen Ellyn. It's right off the Highland exit on 290. They always have a ton of bettas and are usually in pretty good condition.