Fish Enthusiasts - Need Advice

Ciphon

Ciphon

Ciphon

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Hello!

I currently have a small Fluval Edge 23 Litre tank, which has a brown sand substrate, and a few large rocks.

This tank did have a single male Guppy (Which just died), 2 male Harlequin Rasboras, and a Golden Algea Eater (Unsure of sex).

I've been reading about the tank and have read that a Siamese Fighter Fish is perfect for this tank! With a small gap left between the water and glass, they can breathe from the surface (Which they like). It's a small tank, with no harsh currents etc..

So I'm thinking of getting one for my tank, I know that it'll be fine with the Golden Algea Eater, and they should just leave each other alone as they aren't a similar shape or size.

But I'm worried about the Rasbora's attacking the Fighter's fins and completely ripping him to shreds. Does anyone know if they are fin nippers? My Guppy seemed to be more aggresive towards them than they were towards it - but a Fighter is a lot more "tempting" to a fin nipper.

I've read that they can go well together - but wondered if anyone had first hand experience with this combination?

Thanks.
 
I like the idea of having the Siamese Fighter, just need to know if it's going to get on with the Rasbora's.

The size of the tank really limit's me to very few fish that I can have, and to the number of fish that I can keep.
 
Can't really comment as my fluval edge is a marine one. I have two small clown fish in there at the moment. I do need to improve the lighting a bit though so I can get some corals.
 
oneilldo said:
Can't really comment as my fluval edge is a marine one. I have two small clown fish in there at the moment. I do need to improve the lighting a bit though so I can get some corals.
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Wow, awesome! I've seen this done on the web.

Did you upgrade the filter / add anything else? Maybe this is worth looking into as Marine is the way foreward :p, or maybe I'll get a 2nd to turn into a Marine tank :D

I may give the Fighter a go with the Rasbora's to see how they get on, if I think they're nipping - I'll remove them.
 
Yeah unfortunately mine is quite up to the standard of some of the ones on the web. I haven't upgraded the filter but run it as it is with around 3kg of live rock and 1kg of sand.
I got a 50w heater and put in a nano powerhead. Swapped the halogens for LED (only M11) and have a cheapo blue LED strip. I do have a couple of corallife bulbs that I need to wire in. I only have a hammer coral in at the moment and it needs more light.

I've got another tank so it makes it a bit easier ( if things go pear shaped I can swap fish out etc). Nano marine tanks are trickier than larger marine tanks though touch wood mine seems fine - Its just if it goes wrong it will go wrong faster so very important to watch how much you feed them etc.
 
You have a very small tank Ciphon, that golden algae eater will outgrow it very quickly, also if your guppy died and looked like it had been attacked, I'd point the finger this way first as algae eating loaches are evil little *****, and get worse as they grow. If you want an algae eater then freshwater shrimps are your best choice, cherry shrimps are nice and can breed in the tank. If you want an algae eating fish then your only choice on size would be an ottocinclus but they aren't the easiest of fish to keep alive and don't travel very well. Other bottom feeding fish to consider would be the pygmy cory's, most of these will still have the latin name on a shop tank so you want to look for corydoras pygmaeus or harbrosus - both stay small and won't attack fish or shrimps.

Harlequins are great little fish and feel secure in a shoal, add more of them over the next few weeks until you have about 6-10 , or for a change of colours perhaps have 6 of them and 6 of the smaller tetras like neons, black neons, platinum tetras etc. Cherry barbs would also be ok, but they're similar colours to Harlequins. Try to keep fish that will grow to around 2-3cm tops and make sure you keep a good eye on the water. Check regularly for ammonia and nitrite especially in the first few weeks while the filter is maturing. Keep on top of water changes and aim to do a couple of litres every couple of days rather than bigger ones every now and then.

If you want a fighter then just keep a single male, mixing him with smaller fish and shrimps will run the risk of him trying to eat them (they have quite large mouths for their size). Mixing males and females will just trigger the male's territorial instinct and he will want to try breeding with them, and if they won't he will kill them. Even if they breed he will still kill them since he chases his mates away after the deed. Also a lot of females end up being short fin males called Plakats, which will just end up making a mess of your long finned fighter.
 
I would say you want to perhaps look at making a planted community. The current stock is not really suited, so start from scratch I reckon.

Something like 9-10 rasbora brigittae and some cherry shrimp.

Aqua-scape it nicely, use some hardy plants (so you dont need more light), and you will have a thriving little community tank that will need minimal maintenance, look great and keep you interested :D
 
Malt_Vinegar said:
I would say you want to perhaps look at making a planted community. The current stock is not really suited, so start from scratch I reckon.

Something like 9-10 rasbora brigittae and some cherry shrimp.

Aqua-scape it nicely, use some hardy plants (so you dont need more light), and you will have a thriving little community tank that will need minimal maintenance, look great and keep you interested :D
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Which plants would you recommend?

I like the idea of the Cherry Shrimp, as they can eat a little algae.

Also.. can anyone recommend an online fish store?
 
Lamo said:
The best think to do is have a look at the community creator over at think fish, you can in put your tank details and the fish you want to put in and it will tell you if they are all compatible. you can get it at http://www.thinkfish.co.uk/community.html
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Nice one, sounds like a useful site, but the community creator doesn't seem to want to load for me.. I'll keep trying.

Thanks
 
jonno.co.uk said:
definately do not get tetras or clown loach in a 23ltr tank.
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+1 for that advice.

Fish like tetras and rasboras need to be in groups of 6 or more.

Go to some fish keeping websites for some more precise advice, there will be some fish keepers on these forums OCUK (myself included) but you will get better advice from a specialist website.

I would say, go for a siamese fighter if you are able to re-home the other fish first.

get some medium plants in there and yamano shrimps.

23lts is not big enough for shoaling groups.
 
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If you get a fighter please dont buy into the "they only need a puddle to be happy in" bull****. also make sure that your filter doesnt move lots and lots of water as they dont like the constant movment.

my 50 litre tank in a few of its stages :D

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Any other Betta questions gimme a nod :)
 
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