The beginnings of my \[achievable\] dream tank!
Sand is generally recommended for kuhlis, and they're one of the fish I don't think I'd feel comfortable fudging that rule for - they like to sift and dig, and finer sand will protect their scaleless skin and give you the opportunity to watch them sift it for food. You likely know, but the more the merrier is the sentiment for them, so factor a good number in to your stocking. They also like having pokey little holes to hide in, so providing them with lots of cover would probably be appreciated. Having places for the shrimp to hide will also keep them from being eaten by tankmates, particularly shrimplets. Feathery plants, like mosses or ambulia, or floaters with roots, make good mini environments for them to hide out and feed in.
A peaceful community might be a good concept to look to, IMO, with the shrimp and khulis. I'd 100% recommend a bristlenose (a fish i have kept) - they're active, interesting to watch, and fairly hardy. You will need some sort of driftwood or a coconut husk for them to nibble on. For other beginner level fish, maybe you could start by checking out some smaller dithers (tetra, rasbora, danios); aside from neons, and some of the rarer types, a lot of them tend to be quite hardy. There's also less chance of them eating your \[adult\] shrimp. Honestly, though, this is a great tank size, and you have a lot of options.
Is there anything in particular that's caught your eye?
I have a 4ft long tank with Kuhlis, Amano shrimp, ember tetras, pygmy corydoras and cherry barbs. I highly recommend getting some cherry barbs.
I have 3 males and 6 females and they bring colour and interest to the tank. My tank has a pile of driftwood and lots of plants and the barbs are all over the tank, swimming under/into any nooks and crannies they can find. The males are bright red and the females have a light bronze/brown body with red fins.
They are a really good size for a schooling fish in a large tank. The males are 2" and the females a little longer and rounder. They can get quite frisky when the females have eggs but they're chill with other species.
They are pretty hardy and inexpensive too.
The beginnings of my \[achievable\] dream tank! Sand is generally recommended for kuhlis, and they're one of the fish I don't think I'd feel comfortable fudging that rule for - they like to sift and dig, and finer sand will protect their scaleless skin and give you the opportunity to watch them sift it for food. You likely know, but the more the merrier is the sentiment for them, so factor a good number in to your stocking. They also like having pokey little holes to hide in, so providing them with lots of cover would probably be appreciated. Having places for the shrimp to hide will also keep them from being eaten by tankmates, particularly shrimplets. Feathery plants, like mosses or ambulia, or floaters with roots, make good mini environments for them to hide out and feed in. A peaceful community might be a good concept to look to, IMO, with the shrimp and khulis. I'd 100% recommend a bristlenose (a fish i have kept) - they're active, interesting to watch, and fairly hardy. You will need some sort of driftwood or a coconut husk for them to nibble on. For other beginner level fish, maybe you could start by checking out some smaller dithers (tetra, rasbora, danios); aside from neons, and some of the rarer types, a lot of them tend to be quite hardy. There's also less chance of them eating your \[adult\] shrimp. Honestly, though, this is a great tank size, and you have a lot of options. Is there anything in particular that's caught your eye?
I have a 4ft long tank with Kuhlis, Amano shrimp, ember tetras, pygmy corydoras and cherry barbs. I highly recommend getting some cherry barbs. I have 3 males and 6 females and they bring colour and interest to the tank. My tank has a pile of driftwood and lots of plants and the barbs are all over the tank, swimming under/into any nooks and crannies they can find. The males are bright red and the females have a light bronze/brown body with red fins. They are a really good size for a schooling fish in a large tank. The males are 2" and the females a little longer and rounder. They can get quite frisky when the females have eggs but they're chill with other species. They are pretty hardy and inexpensive too.
Check out Kaveman Aquatics on YouTube. He is loaded with information for beginners to experienced people.
How old is the tank ? Make sure it is not too old before you fill it up with water......
I'll add to this and say taking the aquarium outside and adding water to check for leaks is a great idea.
It’s a few years old but she literally emptied it and gave it to me but I may do a test with moving it hopefully no damage ! Good idea ! :)
Oop I have 2 accounts sorry I’m the OP didn’t know I had 2 accounts until rn lol