Author Topic: Most Underrated Fish? (Read 6415 times) 11 replies

dbaggie · « **on:** October 18, 2014, 11:37:21 AM »

Thought I'd start a friendly debate about the most underrated tropical fish! In very basic terms, I'm talking about any commonly available tropical fish which you're likely to pick up in pretty much any LFS.

This was brought about by my recent acquisition (and first nomination) of some Cherry Barbs. I'd put off getting some of these because of the general, and perhaps unfair, perception of barbs as being nippy, but after a fair few positive comments on here I decided to take the plunge.

I must say I've been totally enamoured since! The males, after a couple of weeks settling in, are quite frankly stunning - they're like little red beacons scooting around the tank. The females, whilst not possessing the deep red of the males, have a lovely pattern and a vibrant cream stripe from head to tail. In addition to their great looks, they haven't been nippy at all (just a little boisterous between themselves) and spend loads of time in full view at the front of the tank rather than hiding away in the foliage.

And to top things off, they were less than 8 quid for 6 - bargain!

Any other offers for most underrated fish??

Richard W · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2014, 07:33:54 AM »

I reckon most of the more understated tetras fall into this category e.g. Silver tip, Head and tail light, Lemon and X ray. In a shop they all look like boring little silvery fish, but in appropriate conditions they become classy little beauties, subtle perhaps but to me much more attractive than the gaudy overbred creatures that are so popular. A shoal of six or preferably more is essential for the best effect. Like cherry barbs, they are also very cheap and are pretty tough and easy to keep alive and healthy.
My taste in fish reflects my taste in gardens, mine is full of more subtle, mainly pastel, hardy perennials, not for me those day glow petunias, pelargoniums, busy lizzies etc that people buy in vast quantities at garden centres every spring.

Resa · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2014, 01:40:23 PM »

Hi Richard,

I keep thinking about what I will stock my bigger tank with when I get it going. We have delayed buying it (hopefully a Rio 180, unless I change my mind again, or get advice to the contrary

) because where it will be placed, is going to be subject to some knocking around and re-decorating, so thought it prudent to wait until after that is finished. However, I digress, (nothing new there

) and I hadn't even bothered thinking about barbs, 'cos of their nippy reputation, or of tetras because....well, just hadn't given them much thought.
We are going in to our major LFS tomorrow after having a (hopefully) scrumptious lunch out (as it's my birthday tomorrow...yay, drinks all round

) so I shall look at them all with fresh eyes. I am very protective of my beautiful cories, so am constantly worrying what I should put with them so as not to upset them. I am/was really keen on Dwarf Rainbows, but some folk on here have said they have got rid of theirs as they were a bit too manic for their other fish, so now I am not so sure about them.
So, maybe I should look at something else for a shoal, like barbs or tetras...I don't know...decisions, decisions $:-\$ Another problem I have is I HATE the colour orange, so what some folk perceive as red, I would call orange. Like you, I dislike gaudy gardens and showy begonia, pelargonium type plants, and obviously anything orange

My own garden is full of old-fashioned, beautifully scented roses, lily of the Valley, wild violets and umpteen varieties of orchids and the cowslips that polka dot the grass every spring. The only geraniums I have are the perennial ones, and they form a lovely base for the foxgloves and delphiniums I favour. Next weekend will be spent with friends....bribed by lunch and wine....helping to plant the 1000 English Bluebell bulbs I asked for as my present.
So, I should perhaps look at the fish the same way I look at gardens.

dbaggie · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2014, 03:31:29 PM »

Happy Birthday for tomorrow Resa

Quote from: Resa on October 19, 2014, 01:40:23 PM

I am/was really keen on Dwarf Rainbows, but some folk on here have said they have got rid of theirs as they were a bit too manic for their other fish, so now I am not so sure about them.

I have Dwarf Rainbows and the only fish I have which seem to hide away to a certain degree are my Cardinal Tetras but I'm not sure if this is because of the Rainbows or just because that's in their nature. The Rainbows certainly aren't aggressive towards any other fish, they can just be a bit giddy really.

Richard W · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2014, 03:42:44 PM »

There are barbs and barbs, Tiger barbs and Ruby barbs, plus perhaps Rosy and Golden are rather boisterous, though by no means aggressive if kept in numbers, while I reckon Checkered and Odessa, as well as Cherry, are more laid back. Corydoras are pretty tough fish and shouldn't really be disturbed by many things, though I would say barbs tend to often pick food from the bottom and would be more likely to infringe on the corys, while tetras rarely seem to take food except when it is floating or sinking and would be more likely to leave food on the bottom to the corys. Of course, tetras and corys come from the same part of the world while barbs are not found in South America and so would be less "authentic", if that matters at all.

jesnon · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2014, 05:41:23 PM »

Quote from: Resa on October 19, 2014, 01:40:23 PM

Hi Richard,

I keep thinking about what I will stock my bigger tank with when I get it going. We have delayed buying it (hopefully a Rio 180, unless I change my mind again, or get advice to the contrary ) because where it will be placed, is going to be subject to some knocking around and re-decorating, so thought it prudent to wait until after that is finished. However, I digress, (nothing new there ) and I hadn't even bothered thinking about barbs, 'cos of their nippy reputation, or of tetras because....well, just hadn't given them much thought.
We are going in to our major LFS tomorrow after having a (hopefully) scrumptious lunch out (as it's my birthday tomorrow...yay, drinks all round ) so I shall look at them all with fresh eyes. I am very protective of my beautiful cories, so am constantly worrying what I should put with them so as not to upset them. I am/was really keen on Dwarf Rainbows, but some folk on here have said they have got rid of theirs as they were a bit too manic for their other fish, so now I am not so sure about them.
So, maybe I should look at something else for a shoal, like barbs or tetras...I don't know...decisions, decisions $:-\$ Another problem I have is I HATE the colour orange, so what some folk perceive as red, I would call orange. Like you, I dislike gaudy gardens and showy begonia, pelargonium type plants, and obviously anything orange My own garden is full of old-fashioned, beautifully scented roses, lily of the Valley, wild violets and umpteen varieties of orchids and the cowslips that polka dot the grass every spring. The only geraniums I have are the perennial ones, and they form a lovely base for the foxgloves and delphiniums I favour. Next weekend will be spent with friends....bribed by lunch and wine....helping to plant the 1000 English Bluebell bulbs I asked for as my present.
So, I should perhaps look at the fish the same way I look at gardens.

I was just thinking it must be your birthday soon as I remembered our birthdays being quite close together. Happy birthday for then and do keep us informed about your new tank!!

Resa · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2014, 06:47:35 PM »

You're right, Jesnon....well remembered. Me thinks I'm wishing you a 'Happy Belated Birthday' though?

Am I right in thinking yours is on or about the 15th? If I have missed it, I am very sorry, but I hope you had a lovely day. Did you get a MASSIVE new tank from your lovely partner?

jesnon · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2014, 07:03:05 PM »

Quote from: Resa on October 19, 2014, 06:47:35 PM

You're right, Jesnon....well remembered. Me thinks I'm wishing you a 'Happy Belated Birthday' though? Am I right in thinking yours is on or about the 15th? If I have missed it, I am very sorry, but I hope you had a lovely day. Did you get a

MASSIVE new tank from your lovely partner?

Wow very well remembered that is indeed my birthday! I think I'm getting to that age when you realise you're old as it had a definite feel of 'any normal day'! I had some training in Makaton on the day with work which I really enjoyed and went for Tapas in the evening. No tank unfortunately!! Though we are spending a night soon in a fort (sounds odd I know but looking forward to it!!)

Anyway apologies all for completely derailing this topic!

I'm always partial to my lovely endlers, though I have no idea if they're underrated as such! They are fantastic fish though

ColinB · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2014, 08:09:40 AM »

I'm a big five-band barb fan (Sorry Resa - they're orange) and they look great in my shoal of nine as they nose around under the crypts. Not in the slightest bit nippy.

I also like Rosy Tetras - less often seen than Lemon Tetras, but lovely.

....and.... Happy Birthday, Resa.... have some cake....

Resa · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2014, 10:10:33 AM »

Good morning, Col

Thank you for my lovely cake...what crystal clear water it has, but I think it might be a tad overstocked

I've had my coffee and croissant in bed....so decadent

The little barbs are sweet, aren't they? Perhaps I could paint them like people do with their poodles

The pictures of the Rosy Tetras look like they're orange too. I like the Blue tetras, but they need soft water, I think, and like you we live on chalk, so our water is very hard. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Fiona · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2014, 02:47:43 PM »

Happy Birthday Resa, have a great day

Resa · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2014, 11:21:13 PM »

Aaahh...thanks Fiona. I had a lovely day

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Most Underrated Fish?

Most Underrated Fish?

Author Topic: Most Underrated Fish? (Read 6415 times) 11 replies

dbaggie

Most Underrated Fish?

Richard W

Re: Most Underrated Fish?

Resa

Re: Most Underrated Fish?

dbaggie

Re: Most Underrated Fish?

Richard W

Re: Most Underrated Fish?

jesnon

Re: Most Underrated Fish?

Resa

Re: Most Underrated Fish?

jesnon

Re: Most Underrated Fish?

ColinB

Re: Most Underrated Fish?

Resa

Re: Most Underrated Fish?

Fiona

Re: Most Underrated Fish?

Resa

Re: Most Underrated Fish?

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