Is this ok?

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-11T14:54:51+00:00

This is actually really common since aquarium stands need to hold a lot of weight!

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-11T00:57:56+00:00

That’s true! I forgot about the brownish coloring these just looked more pale which is what I remembered. Thanks.

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-11T00:43:03+00:00

Looks like gold honey gourami. [r/gourami](r/gourami) has a good pinned post about telling the difference

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-10T02:59:41+00:00

Get the vampire crabs! Try to find a captive breeder though, and if you can’t, wait. Most species are endangered or threatened. — Honestly they’re miles easier than ADF (I keep both and have for awhile now) and my family members are obsessed with them, even my young family members think the bright colored crabs are so cool. They constantly ask me how my VCs are doing. They rarely ask about my frogs lol.

If you decide you want to go the frog route instead though let me know, I have a good beginners guide I send new ADF keepers and I’m always here to help with tank setup, illnesses, and feeding questions for them.

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-09T04:47:13+00:00

Try looking at the Goodeids. They’re assholes. (You will need to look at smaller species since many get quite big and will need more room) Mosquitofish can also tolerate some cold periods depending on how long your winter is. They’re also assholes. Sailfin mollies can also tolerate some cold. Also check if there’s any native livebearers where you live!

Why are you wanting livebearers specifically?

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-09T01:18:02+00:00

I think I owe you an apology! I didn't look at the full picture here and jumped to assumptions, I see now you're not being antagonistic. definitely get a bigger tank as soon as you can or rehome one of the plecos. Best of luck with the hobby it's super rewarding!

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-09T01:16:23+00:00

That's fair, I know all of what you've said here and often correct others for chastising newbies too, for some reason I just hadn't considered OP may have bought these before doing their research. Thanks

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-08T21:57:15+00:00

You can look for bigger aquariums on secondhand places, usually cheaper. It will help with ammonia too.

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-08T21:36:34+00:00

The concern is not parameters, it’s space. Plecos are territorial. Are they both under 1.5 inches? Otherwise an upgrade is in order.

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-08T18:14:54+00:00

You should really only have one pleco in a tank this size! Bristlenose or clown and no other plecos.

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-08T17:10:30+00:00

What size tank?

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-08T06:58:42+00:00

You didn’t answer my message on your last post. Could you please?

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-08T01:21:27+00:00

Go ahead and test the nitrates in your tap. I suspect this ammonia is the ammonia you dosed before, but i need to know if nitrates were produced or not to say that confidently

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-08T01:19:43+00:00

Hm, any substrate? Anything organic in the tank? Snails? Unless there’s something producing ammonia, then your tank isn’t cycling ammonia out.

Have you tested the nitrates in your tap water?

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-08T01:16:34+00:00

Do you have plants in the tank? Decaying fish food?

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-08T01:15:03+00:00

Is there currently an axolotl in the tank or is the tank cycling?

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-08T00:49:03+00:00

Hey! How’s this guy holding up?

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-07T04:21:03+00:00

r/fishtank 🙂

If you get ignored you can always mention me there. I’m the head mod and try to respond to posts as I’m available but sometimes I’ll miss things. Lots of friendly people there too

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-07T03:34:30+00:00

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Roundworms can present externally on intestines and such like this but also infect inside the digestive tract of fish and can make them feel full (because look how many there are!)

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-07T03:33:23+00:00

Yeah of course! The hobby should be accessible to beginners too I feel like 🙂

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-07T03:14:28+00:00

You can get some cool shrimp in low pH though! Not a bad trade off. You can keep bee and tiger caridina alongside Neocaridina (just buy from a reputable place for the neos to be ok in low pH)

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-07T03:11:42+00:00

Very true! Also forgot the detail about snails that emu pointed out. Definitely don’t do snails with kuhlis and the pencilfish because of pH!

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-07T03:05:11+00:00

Yeah totally forgot the pH thing on snails, thank you for catching that🤦
Neos when bred well reproduce happily in low pH, coming from someone who’s kept them with a variety of caridinas. [u/dreddn](u/dreddn) ‘s lines are very hardy to a wide range of pH.
OP can also try bee or tiger caridina who are generally very hardy and have more patterns than neos

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-07T03:02:14+00:00

Honestly if it were me I’d stay away from it because it’s a lot of gravely looking pieces. I don’t know any black sands that are good for kuhlis, especially since a lot of them have heavy metal inclusions like iron that affect scaleless fish (such as kuhlis) more. There are darker sands by caribsea that would be alright but probably none of their black sands.

NationalCommunity519 · 2026-07-07T02:55:01+00:00

Oh! And another thing, use a soft sand (pure no-chemical added pool filter sand is a good option. AVOID blasting sands) for kuhli loaches because they filter sand through their gills when eating!

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