v---v---v---Old information, no longer relevant---v---v---vNarelle wrote:Update - New Plans
In a discussion in a recent thread of mine, it was brought to my attention that I had overlooked some key differences in water preferences for some of the fish I'd planned to keep in this setup. So now I'm almost completely revising this plan.
I still definitely want to keep 14 or so and 8 - 12 (unless I come across another discrepancy and these two aren't compatible either). They both make my top 10 Catfish Wish List, with H. flavus at #2, so I'm really dying to keep these cats. (The list is here, if anyone is interested.)
Now I need to find some other compatible species to go with them. I'd like to house at least one more type of cat to occupy more of the substrate level of the tank, as my understanding is still that both these species are more mid-water fish.
I'm not opposed to fish with similar needs from different locations, but I am playing around with the idea of a bit of a biotope. I know these two species aren't found in the same waterways, but I'd rather let one species deviate and keep the fish I want than limit myself more than I already have. I'd prefer to center the tank around H. flavus, if I'm getting that specific. (As a side note, if anyone is familiar with the native plants from the areas these fish are native to, please let me know. I am looking at keeping one riparian species sticking out of the tank as well.)
Fish I'm looking into more are (as suggested above) and . Unfortunately, though, I can't seem to find either of these species available anywhere, so it may not matter at all how compatible they are.
So of course I turn to the experts! Is anyone familiar with some peaceful little southeast asian blackwater catfish that would suit a 55g Catfish-Only planted tank and are even remotely available in the trade? Or, if that's much too specific (as it's looking to be with how much I'm struggling to find any other options), just other compatible blackwater cats that would be comfortable in this kind of setup?
I'm looking at doing a catfish-only tank for my next one. My current thoughts are to do a fairly heavily planted tank, full of hiding spots, for a community of small, peaceful catfish.
I don't know when this tank will become a reality, though I am shopping for second-hand tanks now. I've been looking for tanks in the 30g - 90g range, but I'm also currently trying to contact someone selling a 150g for a price that's just way too low to pass up, so that is also a possibility.
I was looking through small species and I'm really interested in keeping and . I was also considering because they have about the same water parameter/care requirements.
I also really like the idea of keeping , but I'm not sure I want to push the fish so close to the outskirts of their range. I think I might need to if I want more diversity, though. I haven't looked into them as much, so I'm not sure they would be docile enough for such shy species as the others I'm considering, but would fit into the same situation as the Farlowella.
If I didn't go with any of the above species, I would also consider a community that would be compatible with .
So thoughts? Suggestions? If I end up with a 150g, I'd definitely like to fit in a few more species. I don't mind if they're a bit hard to get a hold of, but obviously it needs to be species that can be found ever. ^^;; As much as I'd love to turn my next tank into a species tank of , that won't be happening any time soon.
(I'd also take suggestions for cool larger cats that could permanently live in a 150g, as I hadn't even considered looking at fish needing such a big tank. I'm a big fan of bagrids, if that helps.)