Need advice on filling a 30gal aquarium

[Malkavian]

Well, I just won a 30 gallon tank on eBay. Gonna be awhile before I have the money to get it all together (Filter, lights, etc) but I'm trying to get an idea of what i'll put in there rigth now...


One of my friends is in the process of assembling an assorted cichlid tank; I love those things but I wanna do something slightly different..in the past I've mostly just kept tropical fish --tetras and etc--in smaller tanks, so I'd like to do something different, but not super picky species or anything like that.

So far I've thought of:

small school of pacu
an oscar
a couple of larger cichlids (Jack dempseys, jaguar cichlids, something like that)
thousands of neon tetras D just kidding.)
Freshwater eels (not sure what my options are in that neighborhood)

I think at this point (if you cant tell from what Ive listed) I'm leaning towards a fewer number of unique larger fish rather than a "busy" tank with a ton of smaller fish. I also lean towards the predatory ones, it seems.

 

[moricollins]

Malkavian, you can do a wonderful South American styled DWARF cichlid tank, consisting of one harem of Apistogramma sp. of cichlids (as has been discussed HERE.)

Here is a caresheet (which i wrote) for A. agassizii:

http://www.centralpets.com/animals/fish/freshwater_fish/fwf6208.html

Then add to this some Corydoras, some neon tetras (makes for a nice S.A. themed mover fish) and plants/rocks and you're all set.

You can PM me if you want some more info on these wonderful fish.

Mori

 

[DeadIrishD]

you do realise that pacus can grow almost 2' right?
an oscar, thats what 16"? they need atleast a 55
many other larger cichlids need a 55 or bigger...

the neon tetras would be a good idea, if you know how to plant the tank out with some java fern.... or something perhaps breeding your own live bearers? guppies or endlers are really pretty, or you can keep a piranha, they may not be all that "colorful" but are still badass.

30gallons isn't a whole lot to do anything with when it comes to fish, and keeping them alive and happy, if you need any suggestions you can PM me.

 

[packer43064]

I would say get a pair of Convicts.

I have a 29 gallon, with 6 Black Convicts, and their the best fish I have ever had.

They get very agressive when they have fry. On the fourth day i got them, they already had layed eggs. But their their awesome.

Their great parents and will do anything to keep their lil fry alive.

I would recommend just getting a pair though, because it'll be better, I didn't know though, so I have six Convicts.

 

[Malkavian]

I'm not sure I wanna deal with anything that has babies. Fry are 99% chance going to be either fish food for my cichlids or my friend's; I don't have room for any more fish. (or money for more tanks)

 

[DeadIrishD]

so have it be free fish food, no biggy there alot of people use convicts for food

 

[cryptly]

Freshwater stingrays are neat.

 

[DeadIrishD]

are you suggestion a stingray for a 30gal? :-/ thats kind of messed up, almost as bad as sticking a b smithi in a 2 gallon tank

 

[Malkavian]

I'ven ever seen freshwater rays bigger than the palm of my hand..i guess they get alot bigger then?

 

[Shelob]

I have always heard F. stingrays are illegal, at least here in California.

Go with a planted cardinal tetra tank, heavily stocked. Those are b*tchin!

 

[DavidRS]

So far I've thought of:

small school of pacu
an oscar
a couple of larger cichlids (Jack dempseys, jaguar cichlids, something like that)
thousands of neon tetras D just kidding.)
Freshwater eels (not sure what my options are in that neighborhood)

I think at this point (if you cant tell from what Ive listed) I'm leaning towards a fewer number of unique larger fish rather than a "busy" tank with a ton of smaller fish. I also lean towards the predatory ones, it seems.

A pacu will quickly outgrow your tank, and unless you plan on eating it, it will be hard to get rid of. A small group (3-5) of Red Belly Piranha would be my choice. They'll take longer to outgrow your tank and are fun to watch eat. The only problem I had in the past was if I missed one day of feeding, one would get eaten.

 

[Malkavian]

I'm not sure, but I thought I remembered hearing that pirahna were illegal to keep (or was that sell?) in north carolina. How big do those redbelly's get?

 

[Shelob]

Pirahna are illegal to sell in California as well, the canniblistic aspect of them makes them a no-no in my eyes.

They are legal to own though I believe...

 

[DavidRS]

Pirahna are illegal to sell in California as well, the canniblistic aspect of them makes them a no-no in my eyes.

They are legal to own though I believe...

Technically, they are illegal to own in California...
Also, most fish are cannibalistic, ie, anything that fits in their mouth they will eat it.

 

[Malkavian]

I don't much mind the cannibalistic part, I'm just wondering where I'd get 'em in this part of the country...

 

[DavidRS]

I don't much mind the cannibalistic part, I'm just wondering where I'd get 'em in this part of the country...

Here's one source:
http://www.aquascapeonline.com/store/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=15

 

[Malkavian]

Can you mix pirahna of different species and expect them to shoal? Would red bellies eventually outgrow a 30gal or could a small group live comfortably in one?

What about tankmates? Could something armored like a pleco or catfish co exist with them?

 

[Hoosier]

From what I read on the internet, freshwater eels aren't actually freshwater. They are actually snow flake eels that have been acclimated to freshwater for a bit. They have a reduced lifespan in freshwater due to the stress. As for the stingray, i'm not sure which one you'er talking about. If it's about an inch long, those will be fine in freshwater because they are a sp. of loach.

 

[david31337]

Well, I just won a 30 gallon tank on eBay. Gonna be awhile before I have the money to get it all together (Filter, lights, etc) but I'm trying to get an idea of what i'll put in there rigth now...


One of my friends is in the process of assembling an assorted cichlid tank; I love those things but I wanna do something slightly different..in the past I've mostly just kept tropical fish --tetras and etc--in smaller tanks, so I'd like to do something different, but not super picky species or anything like that.

So far I've thought of:

small school of pacu
an oscar
a couple of larger cichlids (Jack dempseys, jaguar cichlids, something like that)
thousands of neon tetras D just kidding.)
Freshwater eels (not sure what my options are in that neighborhood)

I think at this point (if you cant tell from what Ive listed) I'm leaning towards a fewer number of unique larger fish rather than a "busy" tank with a ton of smaller fish. I also lean towards the predatory ones, it seems.

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/pacu.xml
Pacu.
Post this on a fish forum, and they'll tell you that unless all those fish are babies get a bigger tank. Can I suggest a shoal of terras or somthing?
David

 

[luther]

Fresh water tropical crabs are funky. Here's the first link I could find:
http://www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/misc_critters/crabs.htm
Some of those might be a cool option. I loved mine.

I always liked my glass shrimp too. A colony of them are fascinating to watch. Unlike the crabs they cohabit with other stuff nicely too.

How about newts? If the tank has a secure lid then a few Japanese or Chinese fire bellied newts would be cool.

Just my 2p :}