Some Questions

[Obsidian]

Hello
I currently have a 100 gallon tank that I am stocking. So far I have 5 giant danios 2 firemouth's and one green terror. I have no idea what gender any of them are.

My questions:
1. My green terror seems more terrified than a terror! He now hides in a little hidey hole and is not coming out. He has only been in the tank since Sunday but I am wondering if this is normal. I am worried he will not get to eat if he refuses to move.

2. Should I add any more firemouths? I don't know what is a good number for them. The 2 I have seem to enjoy each other for the most part. They are pretty fun to watch!

3. What are some other fish that will do well in this tank? I'd like to add some kind of catfish if possible.

Thanks to anyone who helps

[it4lian]

I dont know much about fish yet, but with a 100 gal I'd think you could add some smaller catfish into it.

[Clerk]

Most smaller Plecos would be fine to add, perhaps some smaller syno's. With the rock work of your tank you wouldn't want to add anything to large.

[oliesminis]

perhaps get a couple more giant danios, if you are keeping them, to make a bigger group.

-olie

[GoodMike]

just keep in mind that you are limiting yourself a ton with that green terror, he gets huge, and mean. he may be shy for not, but that doesnt last. trust me.

[it4lian]

Yeh, my neighbor used to have a green terror. One time he put about 20 rosy reds in there for him to eat for about a week. He ate 3 then killed the rest for the hell of it. They really live up to their name in my opinion lol.

[nathanbarry]

I have no idea
I would leave the firemouth's by themself and i quite like the pictus catfishes. They are fun and are always shooting up the tank glass but watch they eat small fish!
How about some clown loaches?

[Obsidian]

Okay so I can try to return the green terror, but he is so shy I will never be able to catch him. Anyone have any good ideas for that? I had some bad information about them. This is beyond frustrating.

[GoodMike]

ob, research...research...research...

what is your ultimate end goal? what kind of tank do you want? what kind of fish? small swimmy ones? or bigger ones? lots of color? or lots of cool behavior?

[Obsidian]

I want a fairly peaceful tank with fun fish to watch. I don't want anything that huge, 6-8 inches at the far end with the possible exception of a pleco. I like the Cichlids and want several of them but I don't want just Cichlids right now. In the very long run I want to get the tank you suggested, but right now that is 100% not going to happen, I just don't have the finances. When I get ready to do that tank I do not mind making the changes, even if it means slowly getting rid of fish etc.

I did do research, I just forgot the 2nd and 3rd research to back up the research I first did. I like the fire mouths, but honestly I am not convinced they ARE fire mouths. In the tank at the store they had the red markings, now only one is showing that and its very light. They also have stripes and some blue spots. My luck they are JD's or something.

I guess I have to figure out a way to catch the green terror because I don't want him if he is that aggressive , and I don't want him if he is that big. Currently having nightmares of having to pull all the rocks to catch him, then put them all back. I know that the LFS will take him because I am friends with the workers there. If I can catch him soon I will just take him back to Petsmart and insist they take him.

[it4lian]

If the "firemouths" turned out to be JD's you could probaly keep the Green Terror, I think. Don't know much about South American cichilds(any cichlid actually), but I've seen some setups with JD's and Green Terrors and I think their both cool fish. Maybe get another fish too? Like an albino oscar or somethin. I don't know if that'd all work in a 100 gallon though. Don't know much about 'em.

[Obsidian]

They are JD's I just did a search. I guess I have no choice but to start ordering fish in, which means I won't be able to have many fish in the tank very soon. I am really angry about this. Why can't a store just label a fish right? I would think it wouldn't be that hard. Everything in that tank was the same fish and there was only one label on the tank. I don't really want to learn how to ID fish by not being able to trust a store. And since they had red around the throats they looked right to me. But that was the only sign I knew to look for.

[GoodMike]

its not all stores keep that in mind. but it looks like you need to find a new store, or a local club, or order online. that is if your current store doesnt know the difference between a JD and a firemouth. ask questions here, no one has motive to lie to you...we arent selling you anything, i would be more than happy to help you get yoru dream tank, dont settle for anything less

[jones57742]

Originally Posted by GoodMike

ob, research...research...research...

what is your ultimate end goal? what kind of tank do you want? what kind of fish? small swimmy ones? or bigger ones? lots of color? or lots of cool behavior?

Obs:

Triple ditto GM.

TR

In addition planted tank, filtration, etc.

[Obsidian]

I am a little calmer this morning, sorry for my minor freak out there.

Mike if I were to make the tank that you suggested, whats the best way to do that slowly so I have a prayer of affording it? I really can't afford more than 10-20 dollars a month on fish. To get a Harem would cost me 60-100 a pop. I just don't have that.

Also I really like my giant danios and would like to keep them. Could I keep them with what that stock list?

To remind you this was the suggestions that I liked:
a harem (start with 6) of lamprologus multifasciatus
a pair (start with 4) Eretmodus cyanostictus
12 Cyprichromis Leptosoma Utina (they stay smaller)

There were some plecos and catfish (synodontis) with that as well.

Thanks for the help

I have to say that I can see the reason why so many people like JD's. Those guys have a lot of character. I really like how they swim up to the glass and stare back at me when I am watching them. If they wouldn't grow up to kill off the tank they would be quite attractive

[JustOneMore20]

If you get fish online, you'll be paying atleast $30-40 on shipping depending on where you get them. And I haven't seen Multies less than $5 each online and that was on a site that prefers to ship Fed Ex overnight ($$$$). I'm currently looking for Multies as well, but I just can't afford that site.

You may want to change your shell dweller choice if you want to get them soon. I've seen L. occelatus on Aquabid, but not sure how they shipped them. I've seen Brevis as well, but they form pairs.

Cyps are going to be really expensive (I'm being honest!). Especially if you buy them online. They don't ship well, so you'll want to buy more than what you want to keep (just to be sure). Or be prepared to lose some. That is if you can find somewhere that ships them. Alot of sellers on AB prefer pickup only (just because they don't ship well).

Sorry I don't have better advice, but I just wanted to answer your questions about setting up a Tang tank on a budget. Its really hard! Thats why I opted not to do that for now and wait until I had more money (and a bigger tank....).

[Obsidian]

Well yeah that was why I was thinking just to get what I could find locally. I really need to not stretch myself financially.

I have a ton of "assorted african cichlids" to choose from LOL, I really don't want to mess with that.

Will my JD's kill each other in a 100 gallon?

[it4lian]

go to http://www.reservestockcichlids.com/, their pretty expensive, but have an awesome selection of lank tang cichlids. I'd stick with the south americans though, if I had a big enough tank that'd be the first thing I'd get lol.

[JustOneMore20]

Not sure about the JDs, Obsidian.

it4lian, looks like they only ship air cargo. They do have alot of Tangs though.

[emc7]

Does air cargo mean you go pick them up at the airport?