[bluesdave]

I had a 3 foot tank in the 70s and early 80s that I kept in pristine condition. It was always kept at "show" quality. I loved it. My favourite fish were a Plecostomus (lived for nearly 20 years), a Chocolate Catfish, and an Albino Severum. I used to feed the Severum partly boiled peas. He absolutely loved them, and would take them straight out of my fingers. I ended up having to sell him when he got to 6"+. He started eating all the plants, and it was becoming an expensive exercise replacing them all the time.

I had a similar problem with the Plecostomus and Chocolate Catfish. When they grew to about 10" they started eating my Cardinal Tetras, which as you know are probably aware, are rather expensive. In this case I loved the big fish so much I simply stopped buying the Cardinals. The problem was that they (the Cardinals), would sleep on the bottom at night, and the two big fish, being nocturnal would come along like vacuum cleaners, and suck them up!

I gave my tank away when I moved overseas, but I still miss it 20 years on! Unfortunately I don't have anywhere to put a new tank now, and the range of fish that you can keep (legally), in Australia has been greatly reduced since I had my tank.

I do have a Siamese Fighter (Betta), in a small perspex tank, but he is 12 months old, and I fear I won't have him for much longer. I would love a 6 or 8 foot tank. That would really be something.