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This is just what it sounds like - a list. These are the fish I would someday like to keep. This list will help me remember them all, as my plans change daily, if not more often. I suspect that, years down the line, it will be very fulfilling to check them off every so often. Fish which were on the list which I've since acquired are in italics. The list is currently in order by when I thought to write the fish down, but I may organize it better later. 10-28-04: Pellia endiviafolia - this is a plant, not a fish, but it's here so I don't forget it! 10-19-04: Denisonii barbs, of course. These are what I want for the 125 - I'm just waiting to see them in stock somewhere! Glowlight Danios, D. choprae. Although I had the chance (and tank space) to buy these and failed to, which makes me feel quite guilty .... 9-24-04: Salvinis! Can't believe I forgot these guys. Gorgeous, ever since I saw a full-grown one at The Fish Place in Buffalo, I knew I had to have a pair someday. (BTW, The Fish Place is not to be missed - among the 1200 tanks in the retail area, they boast one that's about 1950 gallons and holds a mix of CA cichlids plus some other compatible fish). 9-23-04: Biotodoma cupido. Wow! Veeeery colorful, beautiful SA cichlid. Catalina Gobies. Of course, they often require a chiller - but gorgeous, and you can "pack them in" more than tropical marines. Bangaii or Threadfin Cardinals. I like the Threadfins better but they're less available and a lot more subtle. Mandarinfish. Who doesn't want one of these? 8-27-04: Pacu. Yes, really - they're fun, sweet, pretty in an odd way, and huuuuge. Who doesn't want a 4' piranha-lookalike eating out of your hand? Black Phantom Tetra. I'm not huge on tetras (can we say "small brains"?) but the males of this species are so cute and fun when they display I can't resist them. Black Ghost Knife. Gorgeous and funny-looking at the same time. Enantiopus sp. "Kilesa" - if this isn't the most beautiful freshwater fish on the planet, it certainly tops the Tanganyikan list. Gee, all I need now is another 6' tank ... Some really nice Ranchu - again, gee, another huge tank required, but who could say no to a really nice example wih that lovely back and that adorable expression without so much head growth that it gets silly, and spread out nicely over the whole head. As "fake" fish go, these are pretty impressive. Pretty much every shelldweller species, but let's go through them one by one: Caudopunctatus. These are pretty high on my list, as they have a good bit of color for a shellie and are big, love to display, hardy, not too difficult to find, etc. Now I just need a free 20 gal or so! Signatus. Very cute, not very common, easily sexed. What's not to like? Altolamprologus compressiceps "Sumbu Dwarf" - not at the top of my list 'cause, let's face it, it's not that cute, but it's still interesting and it's a very different type of shellie, so it's on the list. Callipterus. These are the ones where the males are huge and the females are at least a 12th their size. The male can easily pick up the females' shells, which of course he doesn't fit inside, and move it to his liking. An interesting fish indeed! Calliurus. Easy to confuse, but these look a bit like a Brevis with a lyretail, and a good bit bigger. Cute, distinctive yellow nape spot. Finalimus. I'll freely admit I've never heard of this species, but supposedly it's a shellie. If it is, count me in. Ornatipinnis. Very pretty shellie IMO and not as common. Speciosus. The "Black occie" is said to be quite a fun fish, although not many people have experienced that! Wauthoni or Wauthioni. Another one I know nothing about. What can I say? It's rare! The bigger species - boulengeri, hecqui, and meeli, all fairly available and very interesting. The assorted Telmatochromis species I may skip - but then, maybe not! And we can't leave out Malawi - Pseudotropheus lanisticola and any other Malawi shelldwellers that may be discovered definitely make the list. Cool cats, them. Continuing on with the list, some other popular cichlids: Discus. Well, everyone should, right? Angels. Everyone else has already! Blue Rams. Too cute to skip, even if the SA dwarfs really aren't my thing. A short-moon betta, a nice one. C'mon, those are the cutest things ever. Pencilfish of some kind. Naked mole rats. Wait, wrong list. Lamp. tanganyikus or whatever that killifish from Lake Tang is. Clown Loaches. Obviously this would require a lot of tank space, but I'd like to keep a nice big group of Clowns for as long as it takes them to pass 12" (and then for the rest of their lives, of course!) Silver Dollars. Who can resist these guys? Picasso Trigger. Maybe I should separate the salties out from the freshies, but this fish definitely ranks up there. |
