FishProfiles.com Message Forums

been looking at Pseudomugil, the rainbowfish, and theres a few i like i have 9 inches of room for em, can i mix different kinds of em?

i like feesh

Keeping Pseudomugil in groups allows for the possibility of reproduction. Even without that, the males will display best with females and/or competition between males, and thus they will be most attractive. Personally I wouldn't mix species, owing to the urge to have a more natural habitat as well as prevent possible hybridization between closely related species. What else do you have and in what size tank? Pseudomugil are small fish and might not be able to compete well in a community setting.

Plus, the inch per gallon rule isn't that great, and actual tank capacity varies by the size of each fish and their behavior. You might already be overstocked if you have many large fish.

--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Yep, it's a great guideline for beginners, unless you're talking goldfish.

But seriously, let us know what you've already got, the tank size, filtration, plants, stuff like that, and we'll have a better idea of what we're looking at.

Fish capacity is more of an art than a science. In some cases it's more of a magic than an art. Oooh, I may have a sig line there!

I vote! Do you?

i have 9 inches of room for em,

Personally I dont think that calculation is even worth printing space.

There are too many variables eg 3 Kuhli loaches will exceed 9ins within 12 months. Two big solid fish also 9ins as you can see with even that simple example the rule just does not work.
Yes that calculation has been around for too many years and still causes problems.

Your capacity is based on the water in the tank and this can be a huge difference to its empty capacity. The filtration you are using, how much maintenance you are prepared to do. Even the types of fish a few big poopers will and can give you waste problems.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

ok well its a 29 gallon and i got 2 mollies, 3 white skirt tetras, 6 danios, and 3 mystery snails. whattya say to that? one thing i was thinking might be a possibility is silver dollars. i like em alot but are they compatible? and again how bout the psuedomugil. any other fish suggestions are open.

i like feesh

Silver dollars get really big i do believe. and if you have any plants say goodbye.

The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we dont know what to do.

they get about 6 inches long

i like feesh

Silver dollars are a 6" active schooling fish. A single inactive 6" fish may be fine, but not a 6" silver dollar and friends. These requirements combined with its size makes the 29 gallon a tank that is too small. A 4' tank would be a minimum for adults.

An LFS here sells what they call "Counterfeit Silver Dollars", which are basically a relative of the skirt tetras that are round and all silver. They do not get as large nor are as active, and won't need as much space.

You have many surface dwelling fish already, and don't have much room at the surface; your extra space is primarily at the bottom of the aquarium. Pseudomugils may not be able to compete well or may not show at their best. Plus if the danios decide to get nippy then you might have a disaster. I think small rainbows usually are kept in species aquariums or aquariums with pretty quiet tankmates.

Granted, you might have to take that info with a grain of salt since I haven't kept silver dollars or Pseudomugil.

--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

thanks

io know that with silver dollars there are atleast three completely different speicies with that common name

also ive been looking at monos.. theyre sold as salt alot but can be aclimated to fresh water

aslo cichlids i know sohuld be put in a spiecies but any that would do well in a community with no other cichlids?

and moonlight gouramis.. i love those

i like feesh

Monos are similar to silver dollars in that they are active and schooling, except even bigger. They can be acclimated to freshwater but this is not their natural habitat; at best they normally live in the lower reaches of a river.

Some appropriate cichlids would be dwarf cichlids such as rams, apistos, and kribs. If you're only keeping one you won't have the problem with them breeding and defending their territory. Some more experienced cichlid people can comment better on that.

Moonlight gourami get 5" long. It might work, since they are less active than Silver Dollars and aren't schooling. A small one would be fine, I think an adult would be borderline.

--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

How long has the tank been running? Is it completely cycled?
It's always better to be understocked than overstocked. Especially with newbies, I always recommend that they leave room for at least one more fish, because, without fail people stock up to full capacity then soon after run into a must-have at the LFS. SO, my recommendation here, if it's worth anything, is to not buy anything at the moment. Let the tank mature some more, give yourself plenty of time to think about exactly what you want. Fishkeeping is a process, not an event! (Hmm... that looked vaguely quotable. )
Also, as you've been told, throw that inch per gallon rule out the window. It's caused far more heartache than it's ever helped anyone.
Good luck!

~~<><~~><>~~
"When push comes to shove, you gotta do what you love, even if it's not a good idea"

I love my monos, but they do get to be a good size. However, if the LFS you see them at has already received them freshwater, most likely they have been acclimated fairly well by the breeder. Though this does make them much more vulnerable to stress and diseases, it may be a benefit for you because it should prevent them from reaching their full grown size.