"Joseph" wrote in message
...
Hello,
I have a 40g. Long fresh water tank in my office. With live plants
and a large substrate (pebble size) everything is looking quite nice.
I currently have a couple of Raphael Cats, 2 otto cats, and 7 rainbows
(3 bosami and 4 aust.)
At first I planned on finishing the tank with a total of 13 rainbows
(of various species) and a small school of tetras. According to my
calculations this wouldn't over stock the tank. But. . .
I think I want something different, but I'm not sure what. Does
anybody have any ideas? I think I want one fish that will stand out
and make people go WOW, but it has to get along with the Rainbows (I'm
very fond of them).
I was thinking a pumpkin seed fish, but I don't know how well that
will work (I'm not sure of their temperament).
Any suggestions?
i'm particularly biased towards african butterfly fish (Pantodon buchholzi).
they're not too big, and some of them like to hide behind
powerheads/filters, however if you get one that loves to be out in the open
they're a perfect 'wow' centerpiece fish in a tank that doesn't have
anything bigger than 3-4 inches. they have long draping pelvic fins, huge
butterfly-wing pectoral fins, and these long caudal fins that remind me of a
chinese 'junk' type boat except with an invisible membrane rather than a
solid fin. they stay at the top of the water and go crazy for crickets at
feeding time... they also look much more like wild animals than some betta
or gourami would. their eyes and mouths remind me of arowanas.
i've yet to see a good picture on the internet that shows them in their full
glory- the delicate fins, large piercing eye, or flecks of shining gold that
color their black and brown bodies.
here's an ok one:
http://www.plantedtank.net/butterflyfish.html
mine doesn't bother cories that come nudge it nor does it compete with my
harlequins at the survace. i feed it hikari carnivore food sticks, and
crickets when i get the chance.
for further testimonials:
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/gpantodon.html
good luck