What would YOU do with an 11 gallon tank?

[Crazygar]

Native Fishes have the added bonus; you can find them within the Continental Borders. Just check restrictions for your area in regards to the species you are interested in.

Gary

[Petrichor]

Such a small tank but such large possibilities. c:

If I went with the Indian biotope, I would definitely agree with the possibilities of Honey gouramis, Licorice gouramis, Sparkling gouramis and Honey gouramis because I have a love for gouramis.
Other species possibilities could include Pearl danios, Leopard danios, and Zebra danios. For loaches, I'd say Dwarf loaches. All these fish require roughly the same parameters - though, as always, the more research you do, the more you learn about the small differences between the aforementioned species. Plants with similar parameters could include Rotala rotundifolia, Ceratopteris thalictroides (water sprite), Aponogeton crispus, and Eleocharis parvula (hairgrass.)
For décor: a fine, dark substrate; rocks or the like to provide shelter and hiding places; maybe even some Indian Almond leaves to release tannins and lower the pH of the water if that's something that interests you.

If I went with the Cameroon/Gabon biotope, I would suggest killifish, specifically: Aphyosemion australe (Cape Lopez Lyretail/Lyretail panchax), Aphyosemion bivittatum, Aphyosemion splendopleure, and pretty much whatever other killifish native to the two countries that you desire. ^-^ For plants, perhaps Ammannia gracilis. I haven't done a lot of research on native African plants, so I'm unable to provide much information on them.
For décor: floating plants (if you're able to find some that work with the biotope and parameters); small caves and possibly small branches or the like to create an interesting centerpiece.

These are just some broad suggestions. Best of luck on choosing the species and décor for your new tank!

[C. Andrew Nelson]

These are just some broad suggestions. Best of luck on choosing the species and décor for your new tank!

Thank you! I like your suggestions.

[PVT-Kanaka]

Zebra loaches if you break Southeast Asian.

[Crazygar]

I think Zebra Loaches might grow to big for an 11GAL Aquarium. Their space requirements would be at least 20GAL Long. They are very active fish and best kept in small groups. Ambastaia sidthimunki on the other hand might be a good alternate.

Gary

[C. Andrew Nelson]

True, Gary. But I've got Ambastaia sidthimunki (Dwarf Chain Loaches) earmarked for my LED 16 Widescreen aquarium (aka "The Thailand Project).

[PVT-Kanaka]

Gary,

I concur Ambastaia sidthimunki would be better, but I did have a pair of Zebra loaches live for several years in my lightly stocked 10 gal. I finally lost them this summer when I underquarantined some neon tetras and introduced ich. I suspect both would still be loaching about had it not been for my negligence.

Aloha,
Eric

[Crazygar]

So many fish, so many choices. LOL

Gary

[C. Andrew Nelson]

I concur Ambastaia sidthimunki would be better, but I did have a pair of Zebra loaches live for several years in my lightly stocked 10 gal. I finally lost them this summer when I underquarantined some neon tetras and introduced ich. I suspect both would still be loaching about had it not been for my negligence.

Sorry to hear you lost your Zebra Loaches, Eric. Such a great species. (I love the term "loaching about", by the way.) I've been so lucky, because until just this year I never had a quarantine tank. I think with some species you can get away with a smaller than recommended tank if you stock it lightly you you had. My problem is that I always want to try to find a way to break the rules and figure out how to safely overstock an aquarium.

[C. Andrew Nelson]

So many fish, so many choices. LOL

TELL ME ABOUT IT!

Sheesh! I swear, I run all kinds of stocking schemes in my head at night as I'm trying to go to sleep. I really need to become rich so that my wife will let me have a hundred tanks and I can keep every species that strikes my fancy.

[Crazygar]

At one time, in my Zenith, (or I could say high water mark to stick with hobby related theme), I had 11 tanks running in the house. It was amazing, as I had each setup, like yourself, a different biotope. Problem was Sunday. I spent 90% of the day changing water.

Gary

[C. Andrew Nelson]

Sunday has always been my water change day too. Eleven, huh? How big are we talking? Even if they were all ten gallon tanks it would take some time to do water changes on them all.

[Crazygar]

Largest was 75, smallest was 6.9.

Gary

[Petrichor]

Dang Gary, that's a lot of tanks. As awesome as that sounds, the workload sounded pretty much all-encompassing.
Sunday is usually my water change day as well! Perhaps we're preparing ourselves for the work/school days.

Choosing fish and plants is one of the most difficult - yet rewarding - parts of fishkeeping. I remember many days going by where I couldn't sleep simply because I was planning out the next tank I hoped to get. Those days are growing nearer as moving day comes closer (if it ever actually happens, haha) and many of my oldest 'original' fish I've owned begin to pass away. Had a lovely almost four-year-old tetra pass away this morning. He was the first tropical fish I'd ever gotten. I still remember how he freaked me out by hiding in the corner of his tank for two weeks and not eating when we'd first bought him. cx

Hopefully you're able to settle upon something that makes you very happy (and keeps your wife from monitoring your credit card usage.)

[C. Andrew Nelson]

Hopefully you're able to settle upon something that makes you very happy (and keeps your wife from monitoring your credit card usage.)

I think I'll be okay. It's going to take a little while before I set up this 11 gallon tank. I have to finish "The Thailand Project" in the LED 16 Widescreen aquarium, then rescape my 20 gallon tall Brazilian tank (same hardscape, new substrate & plants). After that I can tackle the new aquarium.