What's the next fish you're getting?

Not my next fish or the one after that but wouldn't mind a Mangrove Jack one day if I could get hold of one.
They are a native Australian fish that grows 2+ feet (3+ in the wild) and is very aggressive apparently, even too much for most of the CA Cichlids. Starts off in fresh water, then as it gets older you need to transition it to brackish, then even possibly salt. So its not a straight forward thing and would need some planning.

Hence why I say one day........
 

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Looks like i will be obtaining either a L600 or L114. Hopefully i will not get as many spines in my hand as my cactus loves to give me.
 

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Well I just looked at half beaks. Has anyone kept these fish. They are like tiny gars. Pet store guy said they were full grown. But they were only 3/4” long and about 1/8” thick. Online it’s saying they grow to 3”. So wondering what’s the truth here. Funny thing is the pet store guy is only asking $3 kand online they are much more.
 
Well I just looked at half beaks. Has anyone kept these fish. They are like tiny gars. Pet store guy said they were full grown. But they were only 3/4” long and about 1/8” thick. Online it’s saying they grow to 3”. So wondering what’s the truth here. Funny thing is the pet store guy is only asking $3 kand online they are much more.
What species are they? There are some 111 species, but none that I know are that small.
 
Not my next fish or the one after that but wouldn't mind a Mangrove Jack one day if I could get hold of one.
They are a native Australian fish that grows 2+ feet (3+ in the wild) and is very aggressive apparently, even too much for most of the CA Cichlids. Starts off in fresh water, then as it gets older you need to transition it to brackish, then even possibly salt. So its not a straight forward thing and would need some planning.

Hence why I say one day........
Jacks are cool,
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I am hoping my next fish will be Indostomus paradoxus aka the Armoured Stickleback - which is an incredibly tiny species of freshwater pipefish.

Along with them, Microdevario kubotai and possibly Corydoras habrosus (Salt n Pepper catfish), one of the dwarf species.

Just maybe, Sundadanio axelrodi as well. Have a 29g tank and they’re all very small fish.

Fingers crossed!
 

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Hoping to get two more yoyo loaches this week and maybe a few kuhlis, depends on how much store credit I’ll get this week for selling back some tanks and a some fish
 
What species are they? There are some 111 species, but none that I know are that small.
Well I never seen them before. Just had the name half beak. Shop guy said they didn’t get bigger. But he could just have been trying to sell them. That small he’d get more buyers. Same guy also told me a Brazilian sword wasn’t a peace lily. So there’s that :).
 
Well I never seen them before. Just had the name half beak. Shop guy said they didn’t get bigger. But he could just have been trying to sell them. That small he’d get more buyers. Same guy also told me a Brazilian sword wasn’t a peace lily. So there’s that :).
If it helps any, the halfbeaks I see offered most often are the Platinum Wrestling halfbeaks, Dermogenys pusilla.

Not a big fish by any means. Males get to around 2.2” and females close to 3”. Livebearers and strictly surface feeders. Their odd jaws are hinged so it’s the upper part that lifts up to snag insects from the surface - the reverse of how most fish jaws function.

Skittish and prone to jumping but very attractive, though unusual looking. Haven’t seen any locally in years.

They use them as fighting fish in their native countries.
 
Added this lovely pair of Dwarf Gouramis, they're doing well so far.
 

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As I mentioned before, my Ember Tetra herd was thinning due to getting up there in age, and me most likely overfeeding them a bit :(
They are getting a bit shy as the group gets smaller, I think I will refill as the LFS has them in stock right now.
 
I ran across some Golden Dwarf Barbs yesterday. I liked them so I bought all 11 of them that they had. I really like them so far, they are swimming together (shoaling/schooling IDK) They fit right in and werent scared and hiding or anything. They act like they lived there already. :)
 
I ran across some Golden Dwarf Barbs yesterday. I liked them so I bought all 11 of them that they had. I really like them so far, they are swimming together (shoaling/schooling IDK) They fit right in and werent scared and hiding or anything. They act like they lived there already. :)
Congratulations...What are their tank mates?
 
Congratulations...What are their tank mates?
3 CPDs, snails and a very docile female betta. Shes my good girl, the other 2 are terrors. One ended up being a male....lol
The CPDs have been unhealthy looking or just none to be found lately. Thought I would try something new.
 
I ordered 8 green neon tetra to put with 22 hastatus cory in a 20 long. Hum. Thinking i might need to upgrade that 20 long - well right now the hastatus are pretty small. Hum. There was something else interesting in that order with the green neon tetra - lets see yea two interesting fishes to arrive with the green neon tetra:
gasteropelecus maculatus - these are giant hatchet fishes capable of eating your favorite fly in a single bite
and
dianema urostriatum - been waiting over a year for these guys to become available.
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On the bright side one of the shops i use gave me a head up they got some wc winemilleri in stock so I'll be ordering those when they are ready to ship - probably two or three weeks from now - that will leave only one fish on my wish list - geo nembai. Well i'd also like geo mirablis but i don't really have a place to put them. Hum.... maybe if i get rid of my bathroom i could stick a 400 gallon in there.... not sure i want to use the bushes every morning. oh well.
 
1 leopard cactus pleco 6” or above
1 Rafael catfish
maybe a Polar blue convict pair
 
New LFS I have yet to visit just got some really nice Endlers in. They also have really nice guppies. I think I'm buying something tomorrow. Maybe I'll see if they'll do a trio of dumbo m/f and one of the Endlers they got in to breed into their guppy colony. Very nice silver with zebrinus pattern.
 
2 betta fish I’m not certain where from
Yet . I’m lost when it comes to online sellers and sites anymore and I did visit few pet store chains but didn’t like the selection.
 
Picked up a half dozen of the most vibrant neon tetras I believe I've ever seen yesterday! These guys are about 3/4 inch right now and very active. Acclimation went smooth and they ate well last night. This batch is looking promising! Absolutely stunning in the heavy planted, overgrown 10g.
 

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Nice one! One of my favourite schooling fish along with rummynose. A big school would look great!
 
This is likely my last major purchase for a long time:
7 wild caught g. winemilleri
trio of wc a. Ortegai
8 more Dianema urostriatum (these are really nice if you have a large aquarium)
a couple of different species of Nannostomus including marilynae, unifasciatus and mortenthaleri.
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One interesting fish i picked up a few weeks ago was Gasteropelecus maculatus; visually they are very similar to Gasteropelecus sternicla; but quite a bit larger and they spend more time in the mid water level unlike most hatchet fishes.
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For those who care the dianema urostriatum are going in a 550 with the g. winemilleri
The trio of wc a. ortegai are going into a dedicated 48x16 aquarium - these are vicious monsters but i'll throw in a few dithers.
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Gotta admit i think i have one too many aquarium... time to quite my 'job' and spend time doing my 'job' ;)
Nice one! One of my favourite schooling fish along with rummynose. A big school would look great!
So i can comment a bit on this first hand - when i first setup my 550 i have 40 rummynose swimming end to end for a few weeks but since i've added more fishes they stopped schooling and mostly wander around the plants. Nothing in the aquarium is able to eat them. Mind you when they swim to eat or whatever they do stay in a schooling formation but they don't do a lot of swimming. My cardinals are similar - now that i've added the discus (different aquarium); they keep a much tighter formation and spend more time swimming in a more school like behavior - before i added the discus they would just sort of scatter around and do their own thing (their aquarium is a 6ftx2ftx2ft - 180).

Anyway the point is once they settled down the rummy lost their motivation to constantly swim - but they are still 'family'.
 
Picked up a half dozen of the most vibrant neon tetras I believe I've ever seen yesterday! These guys are about 3/4 inch right now and very active. Acclimation went smooth and they ate well last night. This batch is looking promising! Absolutely stunning in the heavy planted, overgrown 10g.
Man, I sure do miss my 18+ cardinals. Neons are awesome too!
 
Though tetras are not my favourite fish, Insaw some Ruby tetras a week or so ago and they have been haunting my thoughts since.

They are very red and small and supposed to be quite peaceful - all right up my little nano fish alley.

I may have to go back to the store and see if they are still there. I need to find a few male cherry shrimp anyway and the LFS closest by has none, so there’s a fine excuse to go back to the store that had the pretty Rubies.

It is a bit of a curse to see very pretty fish and imagine them swimming around in your tank at home.
 
I can recommend ruby tetras, they are small and very pretty, definitely peaceful, rather shy at first but more confident in a densely planted tank. I have them in a 240l (63 gallon) tank with some Copellas, 3 big cardinal tetras (the remains of a bigger group), some Pygmy Corydoras, 4 Rineloricaria lanceolata, a few otos, and a single Apistogramma - it’s my smallest and most peaceful tank!
 
I would also recommend Ruby's. They are so cute, beautiful and very peaceful. As TClare said, they can be very shy and skittish, so you don't want them in a tank with boisterous fish. I have rehomed my Zebra Danio for this reason because as soon as they were gone, the Ruby's came out and were very happy. It's also the reason I'm bringing my Silvertip Tetra back, too much for the Ruby's after only being in there a week.

I have them paired with Green Neon Tetra, Pygmy Corydoras, Otos, Shrimp and Honey Gourami and they do well with the Gourami being the centerpieces. It's a very peaceful community once you get rid of the savage fish, lol. I'm doing everything possible to make the Ruby's lives the best because they are definitely a favourite of mine. My tank is 50 gallons and it's likely to me more of nano tank species, minus the peaceful gouramis :)

And on the note of new fish, I'm returning the Silvertips and getting more Green Neons and Pygmy Cory tomorrow :D
 
The most recent purchase was a group of 32 kubotai rasbora and a single 3/4 inch flash pleco (l204). The flash pleco was for my discus tank and is a species relatively safe with large slime coated fish.

The kubotai (2 were doa) were split into 3 groups. One group of 8 went into the 20 long with green neon. They were added for the sole purpose of bringing the green neon out from behind a piece of drift wood; and i have to say that worked like a charm. My green neon are now out swimming about without too much fear (they had been hiding back there for approx 5 weeks).

Now kubotai rasbora is one of my favorite small fishes. From afar they look kind of well not that great; but if you are up close and give them a good look they are really a lovely fish with a nice green hue and a deep (almost neon blue deep) blue line. The biggest negative (esp with mixing them with green neon) is they prefer relatively mild temp (mid 70s) while green neon are really a warm water fish that would love low 80s. So there is a bit of a compromise there - as i lowered the temp from 81 to 77. Hopefully both species will forgive me for the compromise.
 
Picked up 3 lampeye were labeled blue green but shop didn't seem that sure.
 
Now kubotai rasbora is one of my favorite small fishes. From afar they look kind of well not that great; but if you are up close and give them a good look they are really a lovely fish with a nice green hue and a deep (almost neon blue deep) blue line. The biggest negative (esp with mixing them with green neon) is they prefer relatively mild temp (mid 70s) while green neon are really a warm water fish that would love low 80s. So there is a bit of a compromise there - as i lowered the temp from 81 to 77. Hopefully both species will forgive me for the compromise.

Kubotai are delightful little fish, aren’t they. Very lively and I have a few that are an apricot yellow rather than green. I think mine are all females so I’m hoping to find some males.
 

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Be great to see some pics. I’ve got a 40g nano tank going so far I’ve found some gold tetras and dwarf rasboras. Hillstream loaches and yesterday 3 cpd and a green tetra that was mistaken as a cpd. And 2 juli corys. 2 corys and 2 cpd I’ve seen. Other mia at the moment.
 

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Swimming against the filter output is something both the neon tetras and endler hybrids both enjoy very much, but lately there's been too many contestants make it to the finish line. (Inside filter).

So during today's WC I'll be attaching some plastic mesh canvas to the filters output to stop this from happening. Hopefully the current is still strong enough to give them something to swim against as they really seem to enjoy it.

On a brighter note, I ordered the 30g and it should be here in the next 2 weeks, so I'll be working on getting it built over the next month or so! Very exited to get this one going!
 
Well, I've been waiting for Honey Gourami to come into stock somewhere local for me and this weekend it happened.

I added 6 more HGs to my tank to bring my count up to 9, and I also added 12 Harlequin Rasbora to the mix.

My tank finally looks like it has habitants now, lol. On the way home though, I was nervous because there was a major accident that had the only highway back home shut down. I thought the highway was going to be closed for hours and my fish would die in the bags, but thankfully it was only 1.5 hours so they were out of the bags within 3 hours from when first put in them. It would have been a horrible shame to lose them all.
 
Maybe a single shell dweller of some sort lol No clue.
Might be picking up an empty 10 with maybe a filter and a 2.5 with a yellow cichlid and a lot of shells lol
Pics of the 2.5 only, but it's two free tanks and a fish that needs a home.
I'll figure the rest out later.
Uh oh lol
It wasn't a 2.5 lol

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It will stay in it's tank for now, but I'm thinking a Betta sorority is off lol
Wasn't expecting this, but I'm happy. I think we're calling it Woodstock
 
Well you know because of aggression they do tend to overstock those tanks. Could be as many as 1 a gallon. At that ratio I think he’s ok :rolleyes: :D .
 
So we have a spare 5 gallon so 3 Oscar’s and 2 Jack Dempsey should be fine.. I’ll quarantine them in a flower case for 3 months before we put them in their final home hahahaha
 
Looks to me like he is in another bigger tank already. ;)o_O:D
 
Looks to me like he is in another bigger tank already. ;)o_O:D
Yup,
Still not large enough imo either.
But he came to me in what I was told is a 2 gallon (hence me not expecting a 5 inch fish lol) with a lot of shells. I was thinking small shell dweller. Turns out it was an 8 gallon hex which I really like. Right now it's holding the baby bettas that had been in the 20 while I decide whether to just top the tank off as is to a a fish friendly level, or clean out the 20 or so lbs of leaf litter and who knows how much muck from the bottom of the 30.

Typing that out, I'm topping it up to about 20 gallons and letting it settle lol That's too much stuff to deal with.
As for Woodstock (He seems to prefer Woody) he's having fun in the 20. Has 2 good hiding spots and one "you'll never find me hehehe" hiding spot that is blatantly obvious lol
So far I have not seen him eat. He's been offered the cichlid flakes he had.
In addition I have offered Live guppies (two baby Bettas with a death wish apparently) a worm, sm dubia roach, meal worm, frozen brine shrimp and blood worms and kale.
So far no interest.
He did however close the gap on the branch hole lol
Aside from glass surfing a bit on one side (Going to move the blue pot he's surfing at) He seems to enjoy playing peek a boo and hide and seek lol
Going to start keeping an eye out for a more appropriate sized tank so I can give him a bit more space lengthwise with a nice little sand court type area for him.
I would also like to get some tank mates at that point too. Wife loves jewel cichlids and especially discus. Would he be able to hang in a properly sized tank with them? Future things obviously.

For now just keeping him as happy and healthy as I can with what I have :)
 
Yup,

Still not large enough imo either.

But he came to me in what I was told is a 2 gallon (hence me not expecting a 5 inch fish lol) with a lot of shells. I was thinking small shell dweller. Turns out it was an 8 gallon hex which I really like. Right now it's holding the baby bettas that had been in the 20 while I decide whether to just top the tank off as is to a a fish friendly level, or clean out the 20 or so lbs of leaf litter and who knows how much muck from the bottom of the 30.
clearly you need another aquarium
 

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clearly you need another aquarium
Indeed. I actually just said that over on a local forum lol

"Keeping fish for free 101: You gotta take chances and use the opportunity to learn.

I buy food, sometimes lol Sometimes fish when something catches my eye. Like all my fish keeping, he started as free and he will stay free :)
Believe it or not, it's easier for me to get free large tanks than it is to get more practical sizes like 20/30/40. I've probably passed over more free 50+ than I have picked up total 2.5-30 gallons. I have disorganized boxes (the main boxes are organized lol) of spare heaters, pumps, filters etc... just from combing craigslist and offerup within 10 miles of my house. I don't even go crazy lol Set an alert and just scroll the free section every so often (people often list as tank or hamster cage so alert for free aquarium doesn't get them all)

The kindness of others has allowed me to help them re-home pets they can't keep, equipment inherited that actually has family history but no real value so it was going to go to recycling (angel fish breeder and former fish store owner who passed) and meet some nice people.
In Woodstocks case he was a surprise burden on someone. After arriving I found out he had been in danger of being flushed tomorrow if nobody had responded. But, the guy was stuck in a weird spot. I helped him and ended up with a bit more than expected lol"

Going to keep an eye out for at least 55 with a stand. Put that tank where my 20 long is right when you enter the house, then move the 20 long to where the 20 is and where I wanted it anyway (while keeping an eye out for the 40 breeder I wanted to put there) and put the nice Aquarium masters 20 gallon as the wife's new office tank.
Then I can give away a couple more ten gallon setups lol The two I have are called for when the Bettas are ready by friends of the kiddo. So ten gallons with funfetti rocks (again used mix of colorful stones from multiple tanks lol) and fake plants. (They'll get java fern, pothos and other stuff too. I have plenty, more than plenty lol)
I figure this stuff will either be picked up by myself somebody else or the trashman. If it's been a few days, I reach out and set something up if it's still available.
 
Indeed. I actually just said that over on a local forum lol

"Keeping fish for free 101: You gotta take chances and use the opportunity to learn.
I buy food, sometimes lol Sometimes fish when something catches my eye. Like all my fish keeping, he started as free and he will stay free :)
my small house saves me from this madness.
 
On my next trip to the lfs i'm planning on picking these up, what is the next fish you plan on getting?

Harlequin Rasbora
White Cloud Mountain Minnows(Gold)
Panda Corydoras
Zebra Loaches
KuhlI Loaches
Celestial Pearl Danios
Liquorice Gourami
Snakeskin Gourami

Obviously they aren't all going together and the majority are adding to existing schools. I hope they have the Liquorice Gourami, they had not long sold out last time I was there.
Probably gonna get some platys and some guppies for my new guppy tank soon!
 
I would also like to get some tank mates at that point too. Wife loves jewel cichlids and especially discus. Would he be able to hang in a properly sized tank with them? Future things
He’s messing with me here? Right? :eek:
 
He’s messing with me here? Right? :eek:
At the time, no lol

Been doing a bit of reading since then ;) Between that and simply watching him swim, he's getting something bigger. Not sure what just yet, but probably 55+. I want something long but not tall. I might actually :gasp: pay for a tank for him if I find something that's right lol

He's a cool fish with a cool story. Wife is happy most of the Endlers are together on a rack tucked away in a room she doesn't have to see every day lol. Once the Betta project is over I'll have more room and can give her the 20 he is currently in for her office and have the space for his big tank. For now he's having fun playing hide and seek, but I want to see him really swim with some space.
 
I am still trying to figure out which of my seven stocking plans I want to go with for my new tank. I just got some feeder goldfish as test subjects for my small pond. They seem to be fine, but they are very skittish.
 
I am still trying to figure out which of my seven stocking plans I want to go with for my new tank. I just got some feeder goldfish as test subjects for my small pond. They seem to be fine, but they are very skittish.

All except the white one started as feeder fish about 9 years ago lol

Sure, just these to cycle the pond then we buy something fancy.


Sure. Something fancy lol
 
All except the white one started as feeder fish about 9 years ago lol
Sure, just these to cycle the pond then we buy something fancy. Sure. Something fancy lol
Thats a long time to be fattening up feeders lol:D
 

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