i would like an asian theme tank and fish recommendations?

Question

i have a medium sized tank with very heavily planted asian plants and japanese spinning wheel, and bonzai tree. currently i am cycling it and i am planning to put some zebra danios to quicken the cycle. what other types of asian fish are there?
can tiger barbs live with gouramis?
what would be the defference between asian theme tank and asian biotope tank?
Thanks

Answer 1

I don't think a bonzai tree would survive in a tank. Unless you're refering to a different type of plant, bonzai trees are terrestrial and would die submerged.

An asian theme is just asian-looking. Asian biotope is where everything in the tank is asian in origin. You can only use the type of plants that come from a certain region in Asia, and only fish, rocks, etc, that come from that same region. Biotopes tend to be healthier for fish, too, but it's not necessary as long as basic needs are met.

Tigerbarbs may or may not manage with gouramis. Some gouramis are semi-aggressive, and some are shy. Semi-aggressive gouramis would be able to hold their own, but tiger barbs are very nippy and might stress a shy gourami.

Anyway, a betta fish would be suitable. They are from Thailand, but are common in Japan. They have the whole, lazy-but-gorgeous look to them.

Certain loaches are asian in origin, the Yoyo for example.
Barbs and danios, as you mentioned, are also Asian. Red-tailed sharks would be suitable, also.
Gouramis, Bettas, Rasboras, Loaches, Glass Catfish, Flying Fox (aka siamese algae eater).

See: http://fish.mongabay.com/biotope.htm for more ideas :)