Think Fish Keepers Daily News. [2016-2019]

I love the phrase "broody for new fish". That's how I feel. But I need to finish my aquascaping first. But buying new fish is so much less time consuming!

Peacock gudgeons/gobies are an option, thanks, @Sue - may need to put some more limestone rock in the tank to harden it up a bit more from the tap water's 1.52 German degrees, though...

@Helen - your fish will have a lovely reward when you finish your aquascaping; I do envy those skills.

I just hope they mean brine shrimps in that 0.5 litres


If you want a very small tank to alleviate your fish broodiness, brine shrimps are marketed as sea monkeys and lots of places sell mini tanks for keeping them in 

Thanks, folks - just wish I didn't completely freak out every time I see a plec/oto sucking on the body of a dead fish, otherwise a dwarf BN plec would have been ideal as they're otherwise very cute. Yes, it's looking as though my little 54-litre tank definitely needs an extension built onto it then...

You are more likely to see a BN feeding on the tank glass with the mouth movement similar to that of a sock puppet. Strangely funny in an adorable way. 

Oh dear, you went to the LFS whilst already feeling broody. 
(puts head in hands)

My vote goes for otocinclus, though I'd go for 2 or 3 only to keep from overstocking the tank.

Just to be awkward I'll comment on the fish in your poll instead of voting -
Trilineatus cories are bit big for your tank
Does your tank grow enough algae for otos? They can be tricky to feed without enough algae
I'd forgotten your water is softer than mine, so maybe not peacock gudgeons
Pygmy cories do better with 10+
Microdevario & ember tetras a lovely little fish, I've kept them both 

Thanks, folks - all very helpful.

@Littlefish - I absolutely agree that another tank is the way forward - but I think a house move would be required in order to accommodate it (or "the fish room" that I really want).

The various comments and other issues arising from them played around in my head all evening and during the night, with the productive result that I woke up at some unearthly hour this morning with my answer, including a strategic plan for the tank over the next decade! My definitive decision will be revealed in due course - but, for various reasons, it might be into January before I implement it.


In the meantime, I'll just have to make do with my main tank and my tiny 80x75x45 mm toy aquarium. 

My betta, the one I got a couple of months ago, has finrot in his tail. I noticed a few splits on Friday when i did a water change, so knowing that finrot is caused by stress and/or water conditions and is usually cured by extra water changes, I did another water change on Saturday and again on Sunday. He got worse. On Monday i managed to get to the shop to buy some eSHa 2000, and his tail has stopped disintegrating and is showing signs of regrowth. I think, it might be wishful thinking 

I also considered why he should be stressed. His water conditions were perfect, so not that. But he has been very agitated about the nerite snail, so I took that out of his tank. And very agitated about his refection. Until the weekend, his tank light came on 2 pm to 8 pm. The weather has been so dim recently that having a light inside the tank and dimness outside meant he could see his refection. His light now comes on at 5 pm after we turn the room light on.


But there has been a casualty. I had hornwort in the tank, some weighted down and the rest floating. This morning I had a lot of bare stems and leaves on the bottom of the tank. It took ages hoovering up all the leaves. I've moved a few pieces of water sprite over from the big tank - bettas appreciate cover, and I don't know whether I have many bacteria left in the filter as the plants will use most of the ammonia, so I needed more plants just in case.


I know from previous experience hornwort does not like Seachem Flourish Excel, and it would appear it doesn't like eSHa 2000 either.

So a word of warning to those who have hornwort in their tanks - be careful about adding medication!

It occurred to me that when it is dark outside and the room light is on the window is like a mirror. I realised that is what it was like for the betta - light inside his tank and darker outside - so it was like him having a mirror against the tank wall.

I can see transparent membrane on the edge of his tail, so fingers crossed.