Suggestions Needed

[TetraFreak]

Hi Folks!

Tank is going to be Community tank
Size will be 55Gal or larger...looking at possibly 75 or 90 gal.
Tank WILL BE PLANTED

I'm in the process of determining the ocupants of my next tank. Haven't bought the tank yet and I have a few ideas but I know there's all kinds of options out there.

Looking for Larger "NON-CICHLID" that won't bother Dwarf Cichlids such as apistos/rams, and won't eat tetras. Was thinking of Silver Dollars but hear that they eat plants, so not really an option. Would like to stay with South American species if possible but open to all options/ideas.


TIA

-TF

 

[tjudy]

Are you looking for an open water fish or something that is unique and more of a centerpiece fish? Ghost knives are cool, but they hide. There is also a SA glas knife that schools and stays out and about. If you are willing to go away from SA there are any number of cool catfish from Africa and SEA that are peaceful schoolers. THere are also some wonderful larger African tetras.

 

[Mike Wise]

Have you thought about any of the anabantoids? Some of the larger Colisa spp. should work well. Not South American, of course ...

 

[Pugwash]

The only non-predatory large non-chichlid I can think of are Leporinus, 10" fish though so maybe for the 75g...I occasionally see them in LFS over here.

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/601.htm

I've looked at the black ghost knifefish too, but being predatory you'd need to think about the other inhabitants...you might get away with livebearing feeder fish, but small tetra's will be eaten - neon sized etc. Perhaps introduce the BGK last when small and it may not eat current occupants except the live bearer fry...

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/387.htm

The glass knifefish, as stated earlier is smaller and a schooler too, but not as pretty as the BGK in my opinion, and again a carnivore.

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/409.htm


I've kept to the SA theme, but there are good options from Africa and Asia too...

 

[tjudy]

I think they keys with knives are not to get big ones and keep them well fed. I housed a BGK that I bought at 4 inches (it grew to 8 inches) in a 40br planted tank with a community of cardinal tetras and Dicrossus filamentosus without any problems. The BGK may be predatory, but is more of an opportunistic predator.