Long time no post, but I need some advice.

[ryanoh]

I had to clear everything out of my setup including fish, snails, substrate, plants, and even BB because I had caught TB, so I'm literally back at the very start of fish keeping. I took the opportunity to upgrade my filter system, so now I've got a 40 breeder with a 20 gallon sump running empty in my living room cycling right now.

At first I had no idea what I wanted to stock with, but I've narrowed it down to two things. Either

A) 2 axolotl


or

B) a Tanganyika tank, starting with just shell dwellers until after I graduate college and move out of town this summer, then I'll start upping the stock with some other rock dwellers and such.


Axolotl are a lot more expensive up front, but they seem to be less work in the long run dealing with aggression and pH, but something in me is still drawn to a Tang tank.

What do you guys think I should do?

 

[Kiara1125]

I think the Axolotls are adorable. Although they are expensive, I think that they're worth it in the long run. Although I haven't had experience (and I probably won't ever will) I would go with the Axolotl. It's good to have you back though. How's college treating you?? I'll be headed there soon (in 2 years).

 

[KcMopar]

Oops, sorry to hear that. I do not have any knowledge of these other guys. That top one looks really interesting though.

 

[riseabovethesun]

Axolotls are very beautiful and fun, but they are very high maintenance. I have a friend who has had a few and they are in great shape, but I know she dealt with a really emotional experience when one was dying, was storing it in the fridge and taking it to the vet to no avail it passed on. If storing it in the fridge also sounds super foreign to you, you may want to read up on them and their health and what to do when possible infections or viruses arise. I think you are a perfect candidate to own two though if you are willing to learn as much as possible about them.

Because they are a salamander I would also suggest maybe Caudata.org or some other similar site to get some tips.

I don't know much about the Tangs :/

 

[FlameTetra333]

A NW cichlid tank?

 

[ryanoh]

The reason I worry about the axolotl is that I built my tank with the intent of having fish, so I'm a little worried that the current is too strong. I guess I can just throttle the filter back into the sump.

 

[Fuzz16]

i would love having some shellies someday, possibly only africans i would ever own!

maybe its them, but they say that the whole community raises the young

 

[Fishman1995]

If you intend to do a Tang tank, i would start out with some small Shellies, i myself will be getting some N. Brevis at tax time for the 10 gallon im setting up. Then later id setup a 3 section tank, shells and rock dwellers and maybe a school of Cyprinidochromis(speeling) to go with them. But thats just me, to each there on. Research the shellie you like and i can tell you almost anything you want to know with all the info ive collected

 

[Thyra]

There seems to be a lot of conflicting information about the N. brevis as to tank size and aggressive behavior. Although they may take care of their young, when they spawn again, supposedly they will kill or eat the older fry. Sounds like they are fairly prolific and some people are willing to give them away, but when I looked around at shell dweller for sale, they were rather expensive and the shipping is outrages - $79 (seller was in the U.S.) and I would have to pick them up at the airport 70 miles away! And as far as the Cyprinidochromis, the smaller ones are about 3.5 inches and jumbos are up to 8 inches from what I read, so I do not see how you would fit a school of them in a 10g tank.

 

[ryanoh]

Yeah, I am a little worried about where to get either of these animals from actually. My LFS might be able to get shellies for me, but I've gotten several diseases from that store in the past so I'd almost rather get them on my own some how unless its outrageously expensive...

 

[Fuzz16]

aquabid? shipping may be harsh, but if you like something, and willing to take care of it, you will enjoy the investment. but its all what you like in the end

 

[OrangeCones]

I had to clear everything out of my setup including fish, snails, substrate, plants, and even BB because I had caught TB

How did you get this dianosed?

 

[ryanoh]

I had sever fish die, many with curved spines. I dissected one one after it died and it had white spots on its liver, which is the definitive way to diagnose TB.

 

[Fishman1995]

I think you have my thing i said confused Thyra, i was telling Ryanoh what to get, not myself. Im only getting 6 shellies of some species, im leaning toward N.Brevis Zaire atm or a pair of Altolamprologus Dwarfs.

 

[Thyra]

This why I thought you were talking about your tank, Fishman. You can see why it would be easy to misunderstand.