stocking help and questions

[joitoy]

I'm having a hard time finding some of the cold water fish that I have been looking for.

My stocking is currently at 4 giant danio, 4 dojo loaches, 4 glowlight tetra, 5 cories, 2 pink gourami, and 2 platies.

I've rehomed some of my fish and am rehoming (or LFS trading) the four glowlights sometime this week, when I do my 30% water change and can actually catch them.

The two platies wll be going into another tank.

I've been looking for rainbow fish and other species of danio that can tolerate the cooler temps that my dojos prefer with little luck and my tank is going to look VERY empty soon with just 4 dojo loaches, 5 cories, and 4 giant danio.

I'll admit the pink gourami were my first ever impulse by since I began this 75 gallon, I thought that they were around the same area as the dojos and could tolerate the cool temp of 72 that I've been able to maintain my tank at, but read in other sources (after I bought them) that it is a bad idea.

So now I am back to needing to stock my tank again, lest the only action be these four danio and the cories, since my dojos only decide to come into action at night, or when its feeding time.

I've been keeping an eye on the albino rainbow sharks, but don't know if they can handle the low temps. Anyone up for some suggestions on stocking? I live quite a ways from a reputable or good LFS so finding some of the rarer or non basic types is VERY hard for me. I had to drive 100 miles just to get this pair of gold dojo loaches, apparently considered rare in Texas.

[fishnose]

Guppies, I'm told, will be fine at around 72º F. Another option would be white cloud minnows. Killifish are supposed to be okay in cooler water but they may be too hard to find.

[loachmom]

Here is a link that had some info.

http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Misc%20 ... 20Fish.htm

My son had a beautiful tank of wild caught minnows. They looked a lot like SAE, and they loved the cool water. Of course, there's always the risk that they may be carrying something.

[LUVaLOACH]

I just did a post on dojo companions and I got suggestions but they were limited, however, I did do some researh and came up with the violet goby, they can tolerate the temp. May be tough for you to find. They are sorta so ugly they are cute. Check them out, you might like them. Some people call them dragon fish.

Also, goldfish are also an option, however, they are considered to be "dirty" fish, so to speak, but they can certainly tolerate the temp. I am going to go for the violet goby myslef.

Sadly, not many options for cold water fish out there. You could always just get more dojo's and danios. Personally, I have never cared for danios, but many seem to be fond of them.

Good luck,
Krista

[MTS]

When you decide which fish you want, you can order them online and have them sent over-night. Postage is high but it may still be cheaper than the gas to drive 100 miles if your purchase is sizable since many fish cost less online.

I've bought fish from Pet Solutions, Live Aquaria and Wet Thumb and they have all arrived alive and healthy. In fact, my sucess rate is better with mail order fish than the local fish I've bought.

If there is a fish you want, chances are you can find it online.

[joitoy]

Hmm I am beginning to notice that, MTS. I don't have quite enough money to buy fish online yet. We have good milage on our age (34 m/g) so it costs us more time and frustration (battling road rage) than it does costs in gas.

I want to have at least double what the shipping cost will be in cash to spend on my fish once I know what I want, and I have to be absolutely certain those will be ok in my tank. I love the look of killifish, they are gorgeous but have never seen one before unless it was on a website.

LuvaLoach: Minnows are sort of bland in color for me. I would have liked a black moor because they look so cuddly cute, or a lionhead, but was worried of how HUGE they would get and how much space it require and use in gallons out of the 75 I have. Maybe I'm picky but it makes me cry to see this huge 75 gallons with just 10 fish in it. Its not huge to most but it is when that is the heaviest my floor can support. I sort of want to get the best out of it with what I can afford, and with what my fish can happily tolerate without putting them at jeopardy for disease and stress due to overstocking or placement with unsuitable tank mates.

[MTS]

The people that keep killifish are very pasionate about them. There are killifish clubs --perhaps not to far from you. You may find a local source for them.

try http://www.dallaskillifish.com/

[loachmom]

This link states that Rosy Barbs are cool water fish.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/barbs/rosybarb.php

They are certainly pretty!!

[limecharacin]

Rosy barbs are a lot like danios, they never stop. I've had them in a dark colored tank with non active paradisefish and the contrast was stunning. But I could never keep them alive although they're supposed to be a hardy beginner's fish. Maybe my water was just too hard or perhaps it was because I was a lime, green newbie. lol

[LUVaLOACH]

Hmm I am beginning to notice that, MTS. I don't have quite enough money to buy fish online yet. We have good milage on our age (34 m/g) so it costs us more time and frustration (battling road rage) than it does costs in gas.

I want to have at least double what the shipping cost will be in cash to spend on my fish once I know what I want, and I have to be absolutely certain those will be ok in my tank. I love the look of killifish, they are gorgeous but have never seen one before unless it was on a website.

LuvaLoach: Minnows are sort of bland in color for me. I would have liked a black moor because they look so cuddly cute, or a lionhead, but was worried of how HUGE they would get and how much space it require and use in gallons out of the 75 I have. Maybe I'm picky but it makes me cry to see this huge 75 gallons with just 10 fish in it. Its not huge to most but it is when that is the heaviest my floor can support. I sort of want to get the best out of it with what I can afford, and with what my fish can happily tolerate without putting them at jeopardy for disease and stress due to overstocking or placement with unsuitable tank mates.

I know what you mean about minnows, not for me either, did you check out the goby? Pretty wild looking fish...more up my alley.

Krista

[LUVaLOACH]

Rosy barbs are a lot like danios, they never stop. I've had them in a dark colored tank with non active paradisefish and the contrast was stunning. But I could never keep them alive although they're supposed to be a hardy beginner's fish. Maybe my water was just too hard or perhaps it was because I was a lime, green newbie. lol

I have had Rosy's before but in a tropical tank and they did very well, very hardy fish. I have never heard of any barb being a cold water fish but could very well be. If that is the case, this would be a very colorful option and they are active.

Krista

[loachmom]

I checked a book I have here called Aquarium Fishes of the World by Herbert R. Axelrod and others. It stated that Rosy barbs (Puntius conchonius) can be kept at temps. of 71.6 to 75.2 F.

Others have kept them at even higher temps. They seem to be a versatile little fish.