Hello, I'm new to this forum and I need some help getting ideas for my first native tanks. I currently have a 20 gallon tall, a 10 gallon, and a 55 gallon. I am interested in bottom dwellers and predators what could live in these different sized tanks? what is their care, and what kinds of tank mates could they have? thanks in advance.
Tank ideas for a newbie
Started by
Guest_MasterJW_*
, Apr 26 2013 07:22 PM
6 replies to this topic
#2
Michael Wolfe
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- Board of Directors
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- North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage
Posted 26 April 2013 - 07:34 PM
Welcome MasterJW! Your question is way too broad to answer. I suggest that you read some of the forums and maybe even look over at he main web page www.nanfa.org for general ideas about different native fishes. But part of the fun of native fishes is really getting to know more about the fish before you jump in. So look around and study up. I am sure that you will find all the info you need.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#3
mattknepley
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- NANFA Member
- Smack-dab between the Savannah and the Saluda.
Posted 26 April 2013 - 08:30 PM
Good to have you on board, MasterJW!
Your question is a bit broad, but for what it's worth, here are some ideas. Regarding bottom dwellers, stay away from bullheads, but check out the madtoms. I also like sculpins, though I think I might be a minority there. Both of those groups come with major considerations: both are literally murder on most tankmates, some are hard to observe, and madtoms can actually cause painful injury with their dorsal and pectoral fins. Darters are a large group of really interesting and beautiful bottom dwelling fishes that are much more suited to a community tank.
Like Michael said, have fun prowling the forum and learning about different fishes, envisioning your resources, and if you could create a good home for your animals. Myself, I'm trying to "learn up" on recreating fast stream habitats. I'd love to do a tank for some mountain fish someday. Till then I dream and learn. You have three tanks on which to turn your imagination loose. Have fun! (All things being equal, I'd probably suggest starting out with the ten or 55.)
Matt
Your question is a bit broad, but for what it's worth, here are some ideas. Regarding bottom dwellers, stay away from bullheads, but check out the madtoms. I also like sculpins, though I think I might be a minority there. Both of those groups come with major considerations: both are literally murder on most tankmates, some are hard to observe, and madtoms can actually cause painful injury with their dorsal and pectoral fins. Darters are a large group of really interesting and beautiful bottom dwelling fishes that are much more suited to a community tank.
Like Michael said, have fun prowling the forum and learning about different fishes, envisioning your resources, and if you could create a good home for your animals. Myself, I'm trying to "learn up" on recreating fast stream habitats. I'd love to do a tank for some mountain fish someday. Till then I dream and learn. You have three tanks on which to turn your imagination loose. Have fun! (All things being equal, I'd probably suggest starting out with the ten or 55.)
Matt
Matt Knepley
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
#5
Guest_EricaWieser_*
Guest_EricaWieser_*
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- Guests
Posted 26 April 2013 - 09:30 PM
I agree with Michael. There are so many different species that it's difficult to answer your question. Here is a link to the Fish In Focus part of the NANFA website, which is a compilation of articles from the publication American Currents. http://www.nanfa.org/fif/wolfeel.shtml Scroll through the hyperlinks on the left side of the page and see if any of those species catch your interest. You can also read through the 2002 edition of Fishes Of Tennessee here: http://forum.nanfa.o...essee-for-free/Welcome MasterJW! Your question is way too broad to answer. I suggest that you read some of the forums and maybe even look over at he main web page www.nanfa.org for general ideas about different native fishes.
In my opinion it is better to design the tank around the fish than vice versa. Pick the fish first and then design a home for it that will make it comfortable.
Edited by EricaWieser, 26 April 2013 - 09:32 PM.
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