Asian Biotope

**maia** · 22nd May 2007, 11:20

Hello all,

I have my 180 liter (48 gallons, I think) tank set up and I'm ready to put some fish in it. I have kept a 55 liter tank before with South American fish. This is my first venture into planted tanks. I also wanted to get Asian fish, since, well, we are in Asia.

So far I'm thinking:
*School of boraras (and possibly another of rasbora espei)
*I read that cherry barbs can be kept in small numbers (3ish) is this true?
*Either Gouramis or bettas as focus fish. I'm a little worried because my tank isn't covered and I know some bettas are jumpers, any advice? Or does anyone know of other colorful focus fish?

Unresolved issues:
*bottom dwellers - I'm having a hard time finding an Asian bottom dwelling fish. I've had Kuhlis before and they're quite shy. I'm pretty attached to dwarf corys and having a hard time finding an Asian replacement. Might have to break the theme there.
*Algae eaters - I've had otos before and they're fantastic algae eaters! I've read about SAE and Flying Foxes and I'm not excited about their aggressive tendencies and the fact that they transition to eating just fish food when they're older. Does anyone know of any friendly, life-long algae eating Asian fish?

**whiskerbreed** · 22nd May 2007, 13:29

All cories come from South America.
If you wanna get a catfish, then I suggest you get ones from Akysis spp. or Hara spp.
They're non-aggressive and they don't grow huge, plus they're Asians.
Perfect for your community tank.

Alternatively, you can get loaches or shrimps.

SuD

**bryan** · 22nd May 2007, 13:43

Dwarf Loach or Botia sidthimunki, don't grow big, yet active and playful. But abit pricey, a good substitute for dwarf corys.

Common asian algae eaters are garras, sae, cae. Flying fox don't care for algae.

**illumnae** · 22nd May 2007, 14:30

Polyart just brought in a batch of Blue Tiger Hillstream Loach yesterday...sounds pretty, exotic and asian!

**maia** · 22nd May 2007, 15:05

Thanks for the recommendations!

I'm having a hard time finding info on the hara hara online. How big do they get?

I've seen a sort of catfish in NA and Wu Hu. It's speckled light grey with a really thin long tail that opens up at the end. I couldn't really understand what they said it was, but I think I heard it was "alligator" catfish. Anyone know about this?

I looked up the dwarf loach. As much as I enjoy fish keeping, I believe in being a responsible aquarium hobbyist. So, I try not to support activities that contribute to the extinction or endangering of a species. I don't think the dwarf loach, along with galaxy rasboras and certain other wild caught species, are fish I'm comfortable owning. I've read that the black-lined loach is a good alternative though.

Hmmm...still researching.

**whiskerbreed** · 22nd May 2007, 15:26

You can try doing a search on Hara jerdoni and Akysis prashadi.
These 2 catfish can be found in lfs from time to time.

SuD

**Quixotic** · 22nd May 2007, 17:18

I have absolutely no idea what "alligator" catfish or Blue Tiger Hillstream Loach is...

You can use Fishbase, http://www.fishbase.org or http://www.fishbase.com to search for the fishes. Hara hara is listed as growing up to about 13 cm TL (total length).

*School of boraras (and possibly another of rasbora espei)
For 180 litres, it should be a 3 feet tank? Boraras spp. would seem to be rather small for the scape. Rasbora spp. would look better.

Oh, in case you are wondering, why suggest Rasbora spp. when you already listed Rasbora espei, they are actually Trigonostigma espei now.

*I read that cherry barbs can be kept in small numbers (3ish) is this true?
You can, but Puntius titteya generally do better in groups, the more the merrier.

*Either Gouramis or bettas as focus fish. I'm a little worried because my tank isn't covered and I know some bettas are jumpers, any advice? Or does anyone know of other colorful focus fish?
Bettas don't take to strong currents as well too.

**koolman** · 23rd May 2007, 15:48

Hi Maia

I am bringing home one large birchirs tonight.
If he eat small fishes,
I will have to clear my cory.
If you are interested, do pm or sms me.

Thanks and regards

Koolman
98366373

**bryan** · 23rd May 2007, 16:24

Sorry to thread author. Koolman, it's a extremely bad idea to test if a bichir will swallow a cory.

**koolman** · 23rd May 2007, 16:40

Hi Bryan

I dont intend to make it an test.
I just hope that they can live in harmony.
I have a few birchirs that have been living in harmony with my cory.
I dont know if the next birchir that I bring in, may threaten my cory.

Thanks and regards

Koolman

**Quixotic** · 23rd May 2007, 17:39

What you have are exceptions, so please don't even think of trying. No responsible fishkeeper would tell you that bichirs and cories make a good mix.

**koolman** · 23rd May 2007, 17:51

Hi all

Thanks for all the advise. I will clear my cory if I am getting the birchir tonight.

Thanks and regards

Koolman

**bryan** · 23rd May 2007, 18:05

[QUOTE=maia;248518]Thanks for the recommendations!

I'm having a hard time finding info on the hara hara online. How big do they get?

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog...species_id=250

I've seen a sort of catfish in NA and Wu Hu. It's speckled light grey with a really thin long tail that opens up at the end. I couldn't really understand what they said it was, but I think I heard it was "alligator" catfish. Anyone know about this?

Sounds like some sort of whiptail cat, if so they are south american

I looked up the dwarf loach. As much as I enjoy fish keeping, I believe in being a responsible aquarium hobbyist. So, I try not to support activities that contribute to the extinction or endangering of a species. I don't think the dwarf loach, along with galaxy rasboras and certain other wild caught species, are fish I'm comfortable owning. I've read that the black-lined loach is a good alternative though.

Dwarf Loach have been farm bred for awhile. I do believe they are extinct in most parts in the wild.

**illumnae** · 23rd May 2007, 19:35

i was just at polyart today...the blue tiger loach looks quite cute =)

**Quixotic** · 23rd May 2007, 21:50

I just hate trade names.

What do they look like? Any pictures?

**avant** · 23rd May 2007, 21:55

I'm curious how does this blue tiger loach looks like. Any descriptions?

**maia** · 23rd May 2007, 22:02

Koolman,
I don't think I can take your cory. I'm going this weekend to see what kind of loaches are available and will make a decision on my Asian biotope afterwards.

I saw some fish that looked like beige corys with lynx type markings at NA. Tank said "Godzilla Corydoras" but I couldn't find them under that name online. They're quite beautiful. Don't know if anyone knows any more about it.

Bryan,
You're right! It is a whiptail cat. Amazing

Blue tiger loach...what on earth...

**illumnae** · 23rd May 2007, 22:14

don't have a picture of it sorry =( it kinda looks like an elongated clown loach...body not so high but longer, shape is like a cross between a kuhli and a clown, if you can imagine...then the colour is bluish with stripes on the front half of the body i think...water was abit dark so didn't see very clearly...but it looked cute =)

**koolman** · 23rd May 2007, 23:29

Hi Maia

Its alrite that you doesnt want to keep my cory.
Anyway, I am setting up a new thread to donate away my cory and loaches.

Thanks and regards

Koolman

**Quixotic** · 23rd May 2007, 23:30

avant, from the description above, I am guessing one of the Botia spp. in your signature.

Thread: Asian Biotope

Thread Tools

Asian Biotope

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions