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Tank taller than wide; species suggestions?


6 replies to this topic

#1 CrocodileRunge

CrocodileRunge
  • NANFA Guest
  • Lexington, KY

Posted 07 March 2018 - 09:24 AM

I've wanted a stream tank since I was a kid. I am now grown, out on my own, and have the financial freedom to make this a reality. However, due to size constraints in the place that I am living the next 3+ years, the 75 or even 55 gallon tank of my dreams simply isn't feasible. The one area I am able to put an aquarium is in the corner of a room, and the LFS has a few "column" style aquariums in both cube and hex (I prefer the former) that will work for the spot; however, I can't see a 20 x 18 x 22/30 (37 gallon/47 gallon) supporting darters and minnows. Has anyone had good experiences with taller tanks, and what species have you housed in them? I am partial to the fish around me in the southeast and Great Lakes regions of the US but am open to trying about anything. Thanks, y'all.


Edited by CrocodileRunge, 07 March 2018 - 09:28 AM.


#2 JasonL

JasonL
  • NANFA Member
  • Kentucky

Posted 07 March 2018 - 02:15 PM

I have kept Elassoma and Gambusia in heavily planted/structured vertical tanks with success. If vertical structure such as plants or small shelves are provided then darters will use the upper half of the tank as well. Structure is the key here in my experience.

#3 Akpinion

Akpinion
  • NANFA Member
  • Texas

Posted 07 March 2018 - 04:13 PM

I currently have Elassoma in a tall tank with lots of vegetation. They seem to be doing well and will all come out during feeding time. I have noticed that they tend to use even the higher parts of the tank because of the structure and vegetation. They will stake out their little territories, some on the bottom, some in middle and some on top. 



#4 gerald

gerald
  • Global Moderator
  • Wake Forest, North Carolina

Posted 07 March 2018 - 06:13 PM

Enneacanthus and some of the plant-climbing slow-water types of darters.


Gerald Pottern
-----------------------
Hangin' on the Neuse
"Taxonomy is the diaper used to organize the mess of evolution into discrete packages" - M.Sandel


#5 Michael Wolfe

Michael Wolfe
  • Board of Directors
  • North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 07 March 2018 - 10:37 PM

Enneacanthus and some of the plant-climbing slow-water types of darters.

 

you stole my answer... Enneacanthus and swamp darters... and maybe add a mudminnow.


Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

#6 gerald

gerald
  • Global Moderator
  • Wake Forest, North Carolina

Posted 08 March 2018 - 02:50 PM

YES how did I miss mudminnow?  Jeff Walsh will be bringing yours to the upcoming aquar soc meeting.  I gave him approx 15-20 on Sunday to split with you.


Gerald Pottern
-----------------------
Hangin' on the Neuse
"Taxonomy is the diaper used to organize the mess of evolution into discrete packages" - M.Sandel


#7 swampfish

swampfish
  • NANFA Member

Posted 10 March 2018 - 09:10 AM

Some of the killifish would work. Even though most species called topminnows tend to swim near the surface, the banded topminnow, Fundulus cingulatus and redfaced topminnow, Fundulus rubrifrons, spend much of their time in the middle of the tank. So does the lined topminnow, Fundulus lineolatus. Bluefin killifish, Lucania goodei, and pygmy killifish, Leptolucania ommata, are also mid-tank swimmers. 

 

Some of the livebearers including sailfin mollie, Poecilia latipinna, and least killifish, Heterandria formosa, swim in the middle of the tank. 

 

Even so, I would likely opt for a rack of two or three ten-gallon or five-and-half gallon tanks to obtain a vertical effect rather than a vertical tank in that type of space. In watching fish in vertical tanks, most seem to spend a lot of time swimming in ascending spirals which is not pleasing to my eye. It doesn't look natural to me. If I was stuck with a vertical tank or nothing, I would make it primarily a plant tank with tall, vertical plants such as Vallisneria and very few fish. But then, I like aquatic plants almost as much as fish.

 

Phil Nixon





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