I’ve had some gorgeous aquariums in the past 60 years or so. The aquarium of my dreams is densely planted and chocked full of fish. Thanks in no small part to AI, I (finally) accepted too many fish create tons of problems.

For the densely planted part, I start with the grower’s choice assortment of six varieties via Aquarium Plant Factory. Plants arrive in one mass without labels. The mix is different every time, but a variety of leaf shapes, sizes, and colors make it easy to separate each variety.

Blackbeard algae is my nemesis. It eventually smothers permanent plants like Amazon swords and Java ferns. With fast-growing stem cuttings, control is easier. I take cuttings from the new growth and toss the infected lower sections.

Maintenance consists of removing bare stems, fallen foliage and failing plants. Fine-leaved varieties often just disappear. When the stem cuttings peter out, I order another assortment. The most recent assortment is stunning.

When it comes to fish, a deep affection for live-bearers is my undoing. The sight of tiny fry thrills me. Watching them grow up is entertaining. Sooner or later, however, the population gets out of hand. Culling the herd is an unpleasant task.

I’ve had multiple generations of guppies, platy fish, and mollies–every variety on my live-bearer wish list but fancy swordtails. I’ll likely give them a try eventually, but for now, I’m taking a break from live-bearers.

I started restocking with five otocinclus (algae eaters). According to AI, they require pristine water and prefer living in groups of five or more. In a 29-gallon tank, five struggle to find enough to eat. Finding them amidst the plants is a challenge, but at least two appear to be thriving.

Catfish came next. I’ve lost count of the panda cats I’ve bought. Turns out, they’re extremely delicate. I added five of a much hardier cousin: red Venezuelan sailfin catfish. They stay together most of the time and are fun to watch.

AI offered several suggestions for the middle of the tank. I opted for a variety I haven’t had before: cherry barbs. They are one of the few barbs suitable for a peaceful community–especially in groups of five or more. I got seven of a long-fin variation.

My last option one or two showy fish or another group of schooling/shoaling fish. Shoalers–like the catfish and cherry barbs–tend to hangout together. Schooling fish stay together and move more or less as one. Since the aquarium appeared empty outside of feeding time, I went with the showy option.

AI recommended gouramis. I set out looking for a dwarf variety with electric blue and red stripes, but ended up getting two male honey gouramis. The alpha male chases after the smaller male and keeps building bubble nests. They hide more than I’d like but do come out now and then.

That’s it: 2ish otocinclus, five sailfin cats, seven cherry barbs, and two honey gouramis. AI says it’s a perfect, well-balanced community. The catfish and cherry barbs are very likely to spawn. The likelihood any wsurvive is slim to none. Otherwise, the population will only decrease.

Stability is a welcome change. I’ll continue to do regular water changes, but no longer need to worry about overpopulation. The plants will likely need replacing sooner than the fish. As always, I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for stopping by.