[angelover98]

I have a 125 live planted S.A. tank.
My plan is to have about 50 neons, and 50 R.N.Tetras and a few cory cats.
It is amazing how different these little fish behave when there are No predators in the tank.
But would like to add some Apsitos, German rams, or boliviam rams, if these would not upset the little guys in the tank now.
Give me your thoughts and species recomendations.

Thanks!! :fish:

 

[dwarfpike]

I love large tanks with big schools ... good job. :thumb: Pix would be nice though.

A small group of dwarves should leave the tetras alone. I would avoid Nannacara species though, in both my experience and what I've read, they hate cories with a passion.

Water paramiters? Might suggest a suitable species (ie warmer than usual = german rans, "normal" tropical temps = bolivians, slightly higher hardness or pH = apisto caucs, ect ect)

 

[mambee]

One of my favorite fishes is the Glass Catfish. A school of 10 or more would occupy the top of the tank.

Mike

 

[DirtyBlackSocks]

Since apisto's and rams generally occupy the floor space I wouldn't worry about your tetra being too heavily affected - if anything it will encourage schooling behavior.

I would personally go with one of the ram variants, apisto's tend to go into the middle of the water column a lot as well.

 

[ikongoni]

This is my first experience with keeping Apistos, and I am quite surprised at how mobile they are compared to the Tanganyikans that I used to keep.

My Apistos seem to be constantly exploring their new home, swimming around all levels.
On the other hand, Tanganyikans were absolutely text book in their habits and where always exactly where you'd expect to find them.

A huge school of tetra will look fantastic in your size tank.....

 

[DeadFishFloating]

G'day angelover98,

I agree with dwarfpike, large planted tanks with big schools of tetras look awesome. I would like to suggest you also look at a nice sized school of Marbled Hatchfish. They will occupy the very top part of the tank, don't grow as large as normal hatchetfish, and I think they make a great addition to SA tanks.

As for cichlids, seeing as the tetras are the main focus of the tank I wouldn't look at having to many cichlids in the tank. Possibly three pairs of Bolivian rams, or look at a trio of Apistogramma combined with a pair of Dwarf acara.

Of the Apistogramma species, cacatuoides are by far the most popular species, as there are many line bred colour variants. They are very hardy and can prosper in water conditions many other Apistogramma will look ordinary in. There are many more colourful varieties available today, some line bred, some naturally attractive. Personally I like some of the line bred variants of agassizii, elizabethae or hongsloi.

Laetacara dorsigera are a more traditionally shaped SA cichlid. They aren't as timid as many of the other Dwarf acara species, and have fantastic breeding colours.

If at all possible, try and find locally bred Dwarf cichlids, as these are usually much more hardy than imported ones.

hahaha...I just noticed your joined date. I'll go sit in the corner now.

 

[angelover98]

Hi DFF,
No offense taken. I appreciate everyones thoughts. The hatchetfish and glass catfish were not ones I had thought of but are intriguing ideas! Keep them coming.