SanFranPsychoAquatics Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Anyone can advise a colorful center piece fish (or pair) that does well in hard water with pH 8 - 8.5 and plants? Pic of tank is attached, it’s 45 gal so tall but only 3 feet. Thanks for any advice :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 I think a trio of Swordtails would look great. That’s what I have as centerpiece fish in my 75 gallon and I love them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanFranPsychoAquatics Posted February 17, 2022 Author Share Posted February 17, 2022 3 male? Do they chase each other much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Two females and a male work for me. They do breed but the babies are so freaking cute. They pretty much come out looking like miniature versions of mom. I guess they’re not what most people would think of a centerpiece fish, but they’re big, colorful and very active. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanFranPsychoAquatics Posted February 17, 2022 Author Share Posted February 17, 2022 I think they would look great as a centerpiece trio, it’s a great idea! I just have enough guppy babies to deal with already but I’m gonna look into some male swordtails. How big are your males? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 The males are about 3” and slim. The females are about 3.5” and full bodied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardedbillygoat1975 Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 I have a 45 g and know how hard it is to scape all that vertical space, excellent job! Swordtail males can be pretty aggressive towrd each other and females. They're stunning. My fave are the cauliflower reds. Angels are doable in a 45, could start with 3-5 smaller ones and then let them pair off and get the 3rd wheels out. Electric blue acaras are a good choice. I love my festivum, a group once again of 3-5 would work, they can live with angels as well. Pearl gouramis would use all the tank, they are stunning. An oddball - I've become obsessed with dojo loaches, especially the golden variety, 1-3 could work. 3-6 SA puffers. Oops I missed the hardwater part, sorry, acaras would be fine, so would the gouramis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaurieinIA Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 @SanFranPsychoAquatics Since moving a few months ago and no longer buying/hauling RO water for my 3 aquariums, I have hard water with high pH as well. My African cichlids love it, but my community tank has suffered even with the long, slow process of mixing water over until it is all tap water. What fish have you had good luck with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnebuns Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 I vote for gouramis. I think they are beautiful and have been considering getting one myself! Honey gouramis are the most peaceful ones but dwarf and powder blues are amazingly beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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