Now the fun begins!

[JBolinger]

Well I've now got the substrate heater and substrate down, lights installed , RO unit cranking away and most of my decisions on plants behind me its time to focus on the fun part - STOCK THE FISH!!

I would appreciate thoughts on what type (and amount) of Apisto's as well as other fish (algae control, dither) that you all would recommend. The tank is a 180 gallon with a large driftwood tree trunk ( 18" square at roots and about 4' ong) as the main focal point. Thinking of adding some other rock structures as well as plants.

Also leading to small amount of species and more of each? Also appeciate thoooughts on Rainbowfish as dither.

Thanks in advance - Jim

 

[Neil]

Jim,

You have a large enough tank to do quite a feww thing with it. What species of Dwarfs do you like? Several small groups of apistos would be fine in there, but there is a limited amount of territories even in that sized tank. I would start with figuring out what is your favorite and them match others from there.
Rainbows typically are harder water species than apistos, but there are a few that do well in a soft water tank (psuedomogil for example). I have used these as tankmates in the past.
Good luck,
Neil

 

[JBolinger]

I think my choices (in order) would be A. elizabethae, a. agassizii and a. cacatuoide.

I think I would like to keep on one type in order to watch group behaviour. Which might be better for this? What quanities?

Thanks in advance - Jim