Fish recommendation

[hamfist]

Just had another brainwave - Pencilfish ! A decent shoal (any of the common species) is a magnificant thing. These chaps are so full of character too. They tend to prefer softer acidic water though - not sure what your chemistry is.

 

[jellybean]

Saying all that I'd probably double or triple the amount of harlequins first to see if you actually want another species. I tend to think less species but larger groups looks best and even with shy species, at high numbers you tend to see a lot of them.

Ok, after MUCH thought and consideration and YouTube scrolling, I think I’m going to give this method a shot first. I will be in New Orleans next week and will see what I can find down there. IF I happen to stumble upon a nice group of black neons, I might come home with those also. Which brings me to my next couple of questions.

Depending on my schedule and the hours that the shops are open, I may have to get the fish and hold on to them for a day or two before coming home. Would putting them in a 5 gallon bucket (or two), with an airstone, indoors at room temp be ok? I could do small water changes or not. And add doses of Prime or not. And if that will work, would I then bring them on a 5 hour car ride home in the buckets or bag them up?

And if all of this sounds like a bad idea, I can just order them online.

Thanks for all of your input. It’s been really helpful.

 

[Bradders]

Well, this is how Cory from Aquarium Co-Op did a long-distance transport of fish. Hot rooms, plenty of air, treated water and containers!

I guess the advantage of this compared to postal is that you have direct control and monitoring of the little lives under your care.

 

[FrozenShivers]

Saying all that I'd probably double or triple the amount of harlequins first to see if you actually want another species. I tend to think less species but larger groups looks best and even with shy species, at high numbers you tend to see a lot of them.

Good advice, you often see better behaviour, there is usually less issues and in my subjective opinion, it looks much better - I hate fish soup tanks with far too many species and not enough within to shoal/school properly.

 

[jellybean]

Well, this is how Cory from Aquarium Co-Op did a long-distance transport of fish. Hot rooms, plenty of air, treated water and containers!

That was a VERY helpful video. Thanks for the link.

Good advice, you often see better behaviour, there is usually less issues and in my subjective opinion, it looks much better - I hate fish soup tanks with far too many species and not enough within to shoal/school properly.

I have around 20 mixed rasboras in this shoal - mostly harlequin but a few lambchops and a few glow lights. They are all roughly 3 years old and the number has shrunk over time. Seems like a good idea to build it back up.