The BIG Reveal - Chitala lopis

[CC N]

Added 5 wetmorei barbs yesterday, doing well with the dawkinsia trio. Coming to be quite the interesting tank. Need some updated full tank shots tonight.

I’ve also finalized stock list on this tank as I grow out the fish… lastly, I am very excited to announce that I will be able to keep this fish in my possession for atleast another 5years, had some big changes coming up and was a bit anxious I would have to pass him on…

stock list :
Chitala
2 Batrochoglanis
Biscutatus Giraffe Catfish
Hemidoras morrisi
5 wetmorei/lemon barbs (one did not ship)
6 dawkinsia barbs
3 Apogon barbs

Hoping this is a good group. Was considering adding hampala but I did not want to take any attention away from the centerpiece. The fish completely hides when lights are on for the plants, thus the barbs give it flair in the day. At night the barbs seem to settle near the surface and the chitala swims around gracefully. Quite happy with the tank as of current. I would like to maybe switch up the scape so any suggestions are more than welcome!

I really advice you to stay away from such an over active fish like hampalas. they need alot of flow (which knifefish does not) and overly active for a fish that size. The hampala may stress it out

 

[SourAngelfish]

I really advice you to stay away from such an over active fish like hampalas. they need alot of flow (which knifefish does not) and overly active for a fish that size. The hampala may stress it out

Thank you,

upon more research I also concluded this was a poor idea.
I ended up leaving the rest of the barbs out entirely for the same reason. The wetmorei and dawkinsia seem to provide a nice slow moving school.

 

[SourAngelfish]

Finally finished up stocking this temporary growout tank, went with a lot of interesting and well mannered dithers that I can later house with my Giant Gourami if they happen to become too rowdy. Here’s final stock

Chitala lopis
3- dawkinsia barbs
5- wetmorei barbs
6- clown loaches
2- batrochoglanis
A. biscutatus
Pristolepis (malabar leaf fish)
Hemidoras morrisi
Shortfin eel catfish

Pretty good little mix so far, very entertaining to watch at both day and night.

 

[CC N]

sound like a good stocking so far. Make sure to watch out the eel catfish

 

[SourAngelfish]

sound like a good stocking so far. Make sure to watch out the eel catfish

Assuming you’re concerned in the knife trying to eat it? I was a bit anxious over this and am trying to get it to fatten up as quick as possible lol. Funny enough the knife only eats smaller foods though, will ignore large pieces of meat

 

[celebrist]

Pics

 

[SourAngelfish]

 

[SourAngelfish]

Planning to add more/actually organize the wood and get a better layer of leaf litter in here. Maybe some rocks as well.

 

[CC N]

wow. a little cloudy but really resemble borneo XD

 

[SourAngelfish]

wow. a little cloudy but really resemble borneo XD

Yes, the water is intentionally turbid