Would More Fish Look Better?

[Mudminnow]

Pictured is my 150 gallon, SE Asian themed, planted tank. My goal has been to create an attractive, low maintenance, display tank that also looks like a little slice of nature. I'm quite happy with it currently, but I was wondering if it'd look better with more fishes.

What do you all think?

Current stock:

• 8 Pearl Gouramis
• 18 Harlequin Rasboras
• 9 Kuhli Loaches

I recently saw a YouTube video where some people were netting some Pearl Gouramis, Harlequin Rasboras, Chocolate Gouramis, and Dwarf Rasbora from the same creek. This got me to thinking some Chocolate Gouramis might be a nice addition. I also like wresting halfbeaks, and I'm tempted to add those too.

Tank conditions:

• Temperature: 76° F
• KH: 40ppm
• GH: 30ppm
• pH: 6.5

I currently only change about 10% of the water once per week, so the water's slightly brown from the tannins coming from the driftwood.

 

[Noroomforshoe]

I would deffinitly add more loaches.
Them maybey somthing bigger? maybe rainbow fish.

 

[Fishfur]

Something like Dawkinsia assimilis maybe - aka Mascara barb.

Up to 12cm (4.7”) . Native to southwestern India and peaceful in temperament.

There is a ‘red line’ form that’s very striking but the regular one is quite nice as well.

Males of the red line form have a golden upper body, a fairly large oval black eye blotch (the mascara) and another large teardrop to oval black blotch just before the caudal fin.

Vividly red dorsal fin, red & black on tips of caudal fin lobes, red lips, red dotted curved stripe along the side at the underline of the golden colour - also some red enhancements on some of the very distinct scales on this fish.

Females have red markings too but a much lighter, less dense red & much less coverage.

They have the two black blotches & body colouring is a pale goldish shade with distinct scaling.

This species is not seen all that often, they’d be stunning, I think.

Dawkinsia assimilis – Mascara Barb (Systomus assimilis, Puntius assimilis) — Seriously Fish

 

[KingOscar]

What a stunning setup! Normally I vote no more fish, especially when low maintenance is a goal. Nothing wrong with leaving it as is since it looks great and you like it. On the other hand this tank appears so vast with those tiny fish that a few more would work out well too. Definitely keep us posted.

 

[GlennO]

I've always wanted wrestling halfbeaks but I think they would fare best in a tank with floating plants for cover. Maybe a school of neons to add some colour? They tend to contrast very well with harlequins.

Edit: Missed the SE Asian requirement, in which case I'd go with more harlequins.

 

[Lucifer]

Super nice tank & looks like predominantly epiphyte plants too.
I have a 150 G heavily planted tank also. Very different style to yours - I think yours is much nicer though.

For some varied suggestions, increase the school of harlequin rasboras, a big school in a tank like that would be awesome, and maybe around 5 clown loaches.

 

[bgarthe]

Gorgeous tank. I am noting that you want to keep this SE Asian, thus some I might have suggested are being left on the sideline. If it were I, I would add more Harlequin Rasboras (6-10 more) and a decent group of Boeseman Rainbows (maybe 7-9).

Or you could add the more Harlequins and leave the rest alone as it is stunning as is.

 

[TClare]

I like the the idea of the chocolate gouramis as they were found together with the others. I probably would not add any other fish to keep it understocked and low maintenance.

 

[70iselin]

Beautiful tank. Looks great where I sit

 

[SparkyJones]

Beautiful scaping!

there's quite a bit of "off the beaten path" fish that don't get commonly seen in the hobby from that region that could make it a bit more unique to you, but they are mostly acidic water type fish that most of the U.S. hobby really would struggle to keep... your pH 6.5 is pretty good though for that though.
there's always 3 spot gouramis, and moonlights also. bunch of different barbs...

there's the "white spot" Aplocheilus armatus, it's a killifish from malaysia that isn't very picky about the habitat, they get used there as a "mosquitofish". to control them.
May be difficult to find them though outside of Malaysia .

kind of have to be careful on the fish selections, some are pretty predatory, some get large and predatory also, or just darn large, or some are too picky about pH and acidity. either way, I wouldnt' want to suggest something that throws what you already got going on out of whack and rips up what you built somehow, because my guess is by the picture, everything is going well and smoothly

 

[A201]

I like the Mascara Bsrb suggestion. A group of those would look truly awesome in your tank.

The Downside of the Mascaras are the availability and price. Other possibilities might be the Filamentosa Barb. It's another Dawkinsia, a close cousin of the Mascara.

My other suggestion is the Denison Barb. I currently keep a group of Filamentosa and Denison Barbs. Both beautiful species.

 

[Noroomforshoe]

Giant danios are a cool looking fish that might be more available and less expensive. or silver dollars.

 

[StarGirl]

Your tank looks like you poached a aquascaping contest pic! Great job, It looks so nice!

My first thought was more Harleys too.

 

[Mudminnow]

While I agree that the Dawkinsia type barbs can be very pretty and would add a lot to my tank, I fear they'd be a little rambunctious for the calmer fishes I already have. This got me thinking though. Something like a Five Banded Barb might fit the bill....

I've always wanted wrestling halfbeaks but I think they would fare best in a tank with floating plants for cover.

This is a good point. I think you've convinced me not to get halfbeaks, as my tank may not suit them.

there's the "white spot" Aplocheilus armatus, it's a killifish from malaysia that isn't very picky about the habitat..

I hadn't considered these. They might be a potential substitute for my halfbeak idea. Definitely something to consider....

Giant danios are a cool looking fish that might be more available and less expensive.

I actually really like giant danios, but I fear the same as I do with the Dawkinsia barbs. That is, I fear they might be too boisterous for my current fishes.

I'm definitely seeing a consensus that my tank could be better with more fish. So, I think you've all convinced me of that much at least.

As to what to add, I'm still unsure, but I appreciate the ideas. Digging around on the internet, I came across another couple of fishes to consider as well: Mystus bimaculatus, and Glass Catfish....

 

[TClare]

I'm definitely seeing a consensus that my tank could be better with more fish.

I am not sure about that, I actually think it looks very nice and calm as it is, and I like seeing .a tank with plenty of space, though the idea of the chocolate gourami was attractive. I also think that glass catfish could be a good choice, and would be something very different to what you have already.

 

[Mudminnow]

Well, I haven't changed the stocking much. I ended up just adding 6 more harlequins and 3 more kuhlis. I'm still toying with adding other species though....

The biggest change I've tried has been adding leaf litter on top of the sand. The kuhlis sure like it, but the jury's still out.

It's interesting comparing this photo with the one from before. I didn't realize just how much some of my fishes had grown!

 

[A201]

Kuhlis are awsome little guys, but they are rather reclusive. Maybe consider adding a group of less common, much more active Loach such as the Kubotai Loach. Formally referred to as the Angelicus Loach.

I keep a group of six Kubotai. They are peaceful. active and beautiful. A little bit expensive too.

Maybe a good sized group of Black Ruby Barbs. Very pretty & peaceful.
The males red heads are something to see.

Your tank looks great.

 

[Mudminnow]

I finally added some more fish.
Kudos if you know what these are:

 

[coralbandit]

Nice on adding. Your tank is stellar and has room for you to do as you wish. Nice~! My guess is

Checker Barb (Oliotius oligolepis)​

 

[Mudminnow]

Nice on adding. Your tank is stellar and has room for you to do as you wish. Nice~!

Thanks

My guess is

Checker Barb (Oliotius oligolepis)​

Nope. They do look a bit similar though.

 

[TClare]

Pretty fish, I thought checker barb initially too, so no idea…

 

[bgarthe]

Ok…..I’ll take a shot. How about younger Systomus orphoides…..Javan Barb?

 

[GlennO]

Checker barb would have been my guess too.

 

[tinylostwine]

The more fishes you add the 'less' low maintenance the aquarium become. Having said that i would add 10 or 15 more kuhli.

 

[Redshark1]

Beautiful aquarium. Needs more turtles.

 

[Mudminnow]

The barbs are Oreichthys parvus.

They've got a couple of common names like Roloff's Pygmy Barb and Thai High-Fin Headstander Barb. So far, they've been clam, hang out close to cover, and stay in a tight group. They're not too skittish though, as they don't hide when I approach the tank.

 

[Mudminnow]

I added 2 more fish--Spiney Eels, Macrognathus circumcinctus:



They casually poke around the tank all day. The smaller of the 2 follows the larger wherever "she" goes. I expected them to be shy, but they're out just as much as not. In fact, the larger one is already swimming up to take food from my fingers.