I'm aware that I mix geographical regions, but I never mix more than two geographical regions. Honestly, if it were up to me, I would choose what I said above, but I don't have complete control over my tank.
To the OP, you can mix geographical regions, but just be careful, and I personally wouldn't go for more than two regions at a time. I mixed the fish I have because I knew they would be fine together in temperament, and all of that, I wouldn't have mixed if I knew they were of completely different personalities and aggression levels.
I know my stocking recommendations are sparse, hence why I added "+" at the end of many of the recommendations, and also, since you mention practicing what you preach, I have a minimally stocked tank as of right now, and I always tell myself and others who I'm trying to help that understocking is better than overstocking even when the tank is mature.
You and I must be defining geographical regions very differently. I define mine as river systems, mountain ranges, and other features that could isolate an environment or range.
under my definition you would have 3+ regions of fish.
for continents you would still have three regions depending if you throw Sulawesi/Boreo into Asia or Oceania,
The amazing thing is fish don’t read textbooks, so as long as they aren’t getting bullied, have parameters in a range that they experience in nature, have an appropriate amount of conspecifics, and are getting adequate amounts of good quality food. You will never hear one complain.
in my most mishmashed tank, every single species of fish is from a different geographic region by my definition. But due to adequate research and experience with the fish in my care. Each fish is happily thriving, growing, and exhibiting breeding behavior if they are sexually mature.
If OP’s expressed goal was to set up a biotope tank, your recommendations would not be deemed inaccurate. But by extrapolation you can infer that the poster simply wants a thriving, lively community tank with fish he enjoys. And we should do our absolute best as (hopefully) knowledgeable fish keepers to support that goal.
Not use a person seeking advice to push your personal beliefs on aquarium stocking, which you do not even abide by even after clarification.
if you aren’t seeking to support a fish keepers journey and their vision with their tank. Why do you even comment. If it were to the detriment of the fishes health or long term growth I would understand. But it clearly is not many of the fish he listed I have had successfully cohabitated. Stocked customers tanks with. And no issues have arisen.
All I’m trying to get you to understand is that when people come to a forum looking for advice on how to appropriately stock a tank. Rather than saying how WE would personally stock it. Those offering advice should try to help the poster achieve their vision for their home aquarium.
I’m checking out of this thread after this comment (unless the OP has any questions specifically directed towards me) as I believe I have offered OP appropriate guidance on his aquarium. and don’t want to clutter up his thread arguing with a teenager.
thanks for listening to my soapbox
