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I've had my 15 gallon aquarium for a few years but decided to change the gravel from beige to black. I have neons and cardinal tetras which are from the Amazon area. They tend to like a darker type tank. Plus I have cory catfish (scavengers) and an otocinclus (otto) catfish for algae control. Both catfish also from the Amazon region. The fish weren't happy with me moving things around but they survived.
Tetras come from the same family as Pirahanas but they don't have the aggression or sharp teeth like their cousins. I like tetras because they are docile and pretty in a large school. Many color and species of tetras.
Cories are sociable and like to be together, at least two. I always wondered how fish communicate so I watched one day. They often turn their bodies and sort of slightly slap against driftwood, gravel, plants etc. The catfish especially.
I also bought a new 29 gal tank and the fish will be transfered to the new one. I bought aquarium sand for the new tank since catfish like to dig in it and it doesn't hurt their barbels like gravel does. I wish I bought black sand but I may purchase a different fluorescent light to tone down the brightness.
I have live plants in my tank. Fish prefer them plus it aids in oxygen for the tank.
Here are some photos.
My current tank which is a 15 gallon
Neons and Cardinal tetras. They both look similar except the red stripe on the cardinals extends from the eye to the tail. Neons the red stripe extends halfway from mid stomach to tail. They mix together but sometimes stay within their own school. I currently have six of each. The larger the school the happier they are. Cardinals are slightly larger than Neons. They both range from 1 1/4 to 2 inches at the most.
This is my otocinclus (otto for short) algae eater. More active at night. If there isn't enough algae I give him/her algae wafers.
Two cory catfish (aka trouble makers). They are docile but mischevious at times. They don't like to have their photo taken so it took awhile to get one. They root around and look for scraps of fallen food but I do give them shrimp pellets which they love.
I bought a new and larger aquarium about 5 months ago. It's a 29 gal from Walmart and also a aquarium stand. I bought aquarium sand because it's better for the catfish. If you notice with the first catfish pic, the one on the left is missing it's barbels. That's what happens after while when rooting in gravel. Sand is a more costly since you need alot to fill the tank. There is 25 pounds of sand in the new tank! I wish I bought black sand since tetras like slightly darker atmosphere but I may purchase a fluorescent light that is slightly duller. I know there are different types in pet stores. I also have two pieces of driftwood. I boil it in large pots to release any discoloration (tannins). I like a natural look to aquariums plus the fish likely feel more comfortable with familiar things like driftwood, rocks etc.
My plants are live ones. The old tank has Wisteria (the tall ones in the background along with watersprite. Some people say plants will not grow well in sand but I may experiment with some gravel around the roots. Plus there are plants called anubias that will adhere to rocks, driftwood etc.
My new tank is not aquascaped yet so I have to work on making it look natural. There is one anubias in there tied to a rock My water was tested recently and it's good to go for adding the fish from my smaller tank. Tetras are sensitive so I have to add the catfish first and let them build up more bacteria.
Fish keeping is a fun hobby and I'm learning along the way. I find when I'm stressed watching them dart about relaxes me. Whew.. long post, lol
Tetras come from the same family as Pirahanas but they don't have the aggression or sharp teeth like their cousins. I like tetras because they are docile and pretty in a large school. Many color and species of tetras.
Cories are sociable and like to be together, at least two. I always wondered how fish communicate so I watched one day. They often turn their bodies and sort of slightly slap against driftwood, gravel, plants etc. The catfish especially.
I also bought a new 29 gal tank and the fish will be transfered to the new one. I bought aquarium sand for the new tank since catfish like to dig in it and it doesn't hurt their barbels like gravel does. I wish I bought black sand but I may purchase a different fluorescent light to tone down the brightness.
I have live plants in my tank. Fish prefer them plus it aids in oxygen for the tank.
Here are some photos.
My current tank which is a 15 gallon
Neons and Cardinal tetras. They both look similar except the red stripe on the cardinals extends from the eye to the tail. Neons the red stripe extends halfway from mid stomach to tail. They mix together but sometimes stay within their own school. I currently have six of each. The larger the school the happier they are. Cardinals are slightly larger than Neons. They both range from 1 1/4 to 2 inches at the most.
This is my otocinclus (otto for short) algae eater. More active at night. If there isn't enough algae I give him/her algae wafers.
Two cory catfish (aka trouble makers). They are docile but mischevious at times. They don't like to have their photo taken so it took awhile to get one. They root around and look for scraps of fallen food but I do give them shrimp pellets which they love.
I bought a new and larger aquarium about 5 months ago. It's a 29 gal from Walmart and also a aquarium stand. I bought aquarium sand because it's better for the catfish. If you notice with the first catfish pic, the one on the left is missing it's barbels. That's what happens after while when rooting in gravel. Sand is a more costly since you need alot to fill the tank. There is 25 pounds of sand in the new tank! I wish I bought black sand since tetras like slightly darker atmosphere but I may purchase a fluorescent light that is slightly duller. I know there are different types in pet stores. I also have two pieces of driftwood. I boil it in large pots to release any discoloration (tannins). I like a natural look to aquariums plus the fish likely feel more comfortable with familiar things like driftwood, rocks etc.
My plants are live ones. The old tank has Wisteria (the tall ones in the background along with watersprite. Some people say plants will not grow well in sand but I may experiment with some gravel around the roots. Plus there are plants called anubias that will adhere to rocks, driftwood etc.
My new tank is not aquascaped yet so I have to work on making it look natural. There is one anubias in there tied to a rock My water was tested recently and it's good to go for adding the fish from my smaller tank. Tetras are sensitive so I have to add the catfish first and let them build up more bacteria.
Fish keeping is a fun hobby and I'm learning along the way. I find when I'm stressed watching them dart about relaxes me. Whew.. long post, lol