Here are the stars of the “Reef Tank” at Ramsey Legacy Moving!
Pearl Gourami
The pearl gourami (scientific name: trichopodus leerii) is a freshwater labyrinth fish that hails from Southeast Asia. It’s also referred to as the lace gourami and mosaic gourami by some.
The main countries of origin are Malaysia, Thailand, and the islands of Borneo and Sumatra in Indonesia. They’ve also been found in northern South America on occasion as well (although this is due to human intervention and not a natural migration).
In their natural habitat, the pearl gourami spends most of their time in the top half of whatever body of water they’re in. This is typically in acidic waters such as swamps but they have been known to find their way out to more stagnant tributaries, low rivers, and lakes from time to time.
This fish has been a staple freshwater inclusion for quite some time, with breeding continuing to be a priority within the aquarist community. At this point, it’s hard to find a country where they aren’t a commonly included choice!
Lifespan: 4-5 years
Size: 4-5″
Diet: Omnivore (Fish Flake, Algae/Vegetation, Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp)
Water Parameters: 77-82F, PH 6.5-8, Water Hardness 5-25 dh
Panda Garra
The Panda Garra is native to the Rakhine mountain range in Western Myanmar. The fish have been found in rivers and streams located on the western slopes.
The species normally prefers highly oxygenated and fast-flowing waters where they maintain themselves against swift currents by clinging to the substratum, mainly by means of their suctorial disc but also by the horizontally placed paired fins.
However, Panda Garra have been also found alive in slow-moving waters with low amounts of oxygen. They seem to be very adaptable when it comes to their living conditions.
Lifespan: 5-6 years
Size: 3.5″
Diet: Omnivore (Algae, Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp)
Water Parameters: 70-77F, PH 6.5-7.5
Black Neon Tetra
The black neon tetra is native to the Paraguay basin of southern Brazil. In the wild, these fish prefer small tributaries, creeks, areas of flooded forest, and sandbanks. Their natural habitat is usually very acidic, and the water is stained brown from the tannins released by decaying organic material.
Lifespan: 5 years
Size: 1.5″
Diet: Omnivore (Algae, Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp)
Water Parameters: 73-81F, PH 5.5-7.5, Water Hardness up to d6 GH
Adolfo’s Corydora
Adolfo’s Cory (Corydoras Adolfoi) are a small peaceful Corydora species found in a small tributrary of the upper Rio Negro basin near São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Brazil’. Unsubstantiated sources report that it also occurs in the Rio Uaupés, a tributary 0f the Rio Negro in Colombia.
Adolfo’s Cory live in slow moving, tea colored blackwater tributaries and flooded forests of their range that are stained dark brown by organic chemicals that are the result of plant decomposition.
Like many other corydoras, Adolfo’s Cory is an air breather that has a highly vascularised intestine modified to
breathe atmospheric oxygen. This allows them to survive in oxygen depleted waters and is why they can be observed occasionally rising to the surface in the aquarium to take in a gulp of air.
Corydoras Adolfoi has stiff pectoral fin spines that can pierce human skin and a cause a painful sting from the mildly toxic secretions from the axillary glands at the base of each spine.
Lifespan: 5 years
Size: 2.2″
Diet: Omnivore (Algae, Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp)
Water Parameters: 66-79F, PH 4.5-7.5, Water Hardness up to 4-8 dGH
Kuhli Loach
Sometimes referred to as a Coolie Loach or Leopard Loach, the Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii) is a unique tropical fish that hails from freshwater streams in Southeast Asia in areas like Malaysia, Thailand, and Borneo. They’re a part of the Cobitidae family. While they were first classified back in 1846, the Kuhli Loach has a very long history. These creatures are considered to be one of many Old World fish that were used as a source of food for early Indonesians.
Today, Kuhli Loaches are a staple in aquariums across the world. They maintain many of the same characteristics as they did in the wild. As such, they make an excellent addition to shared tanks.
Lifespan: 10 years
Size: 3-4″
Diet: Omnivore (Algae/Vegetation, Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp)
Water Parameters: 73-86F, PH 5.5-6.5, Water Hardness up to 5 dGH
OTTO CATFISH
The otocinclus, also known as the otocinclus catfish from the Loricariidae family are a species of freshwater catfish indigenous to South America. They are also referred to as otto fish or ottos fish or with the spelling variation of oto fish. They also have an unofficial name called “dwarf suckers”. This has to do with their sucker-shaped mouths designed for them to feed on algae.
Since they are algae eaters, they are often added to a freshwater aquarium to help clean up the tank. Another amazing thing about the otocinclus is it’s a relatively low maintenance fish. Low maintenance usually equates to easy care and a suitable species for beginner aquarists. Otocinclus catfish like to dwell at the bottom of the aquarium so they are creatures that are easily hidden. Thanks to their markings, they can also easily blend in with the substrate.
LIFESPAN: 3-5 YEARS
SIZE: 1.5-2 INCHES
DIET: HERBIVORE (FRESH VEGGIES, ALGAE WAFERS, ALGAE)
WATER PARAMETERS: 72-79F, PH 6.8-7.5, UP TO 15DGH