Stocking Options for Aquariums with a High pH and Water Hardness: Check out These Fish! 

Want to learn more about some of the fish stocking options for high pH tanks? Check out these species profiles: Florida Least Killifish: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IfdVzYPZY2w.html Mollies: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SjnIyxB-mJ8.html Bristlenose Pleco: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RRt_tjOKY84.html Neolamprologus multifasciatus: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LymOSgIcDss.html Goldfish: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OiQRb8X3iaw.html Lamprologus ocellatus: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tqAOrEA6fyw.html Cyprichromis leptosoma: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_MTq01SOC_8.html Eureka Red Peacock: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-efq1ZZkzcOo.html Guppies: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-czrypwjZrQE.html Red Zebra Mbuna: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fysn81uzgxw.html Acei Mbuna: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-e1e7_0ylHvw.html Pseudotropheus saulosi Mbuna: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-e1e7_0ylHvw.html Star Sapphire Cichlid: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HPV1YYVVZuc.html Species 35 Tomato Hap: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zgigCBlad6g.html Neolamprologus similis: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZjkZkyh12cI.html Mystery Snail: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gWWx2JU_JEo.html Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics For more cool behind the scenes stuff consider becoming a member! ru-vid.com/show-UCYVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTAjoin If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel! ru-vid.com/show-UCPEZk1MpOTGiBVh6BtWjlRg

Thanks so so much for doing this! I have lived in so many places but I've ALWAYS had hard water and usually a slightly higher PH. All we ever hear in the hobby for this type of water is "Livebearers and African cichlids", then we have to listen to hours and hours of long lists of fish for soft water and low PH.

Thank you! There are so many videos on youtube about soft water fish and not too much on hard water!

Thank you, I've been looking for this topic for a while. I have hard water and an 8.2ph.

Thanks Jason, Been in the process of cycling a couple of tanks and want to get some shellies. My well water has a PH of 8.2 and super hard. Thanks for giving me confidence!!

Thank you Jason. A great video and a well needed video. I live in a very hard water area and wanted something different to livebearers.

You are always coming up with videos that address issues, concerns, or questions I have. Keep up the great work!

Great advice as always, thanks!

your videos are awesome! thank you for making these. I just started keeping fish. started with a 20 long now have a 40 breeder with 4 cichlids. 2 aulonocara (1 is OB the other is the sunshine peacock), electric yellow cichlid (labidochromis) and then an electric blue acara (Andinoacara) which is south American. they're all under 3" right now and very peaceful together for now lol. the lake Malawi are definitely my favorite cichlids so far

I have liquid rock water with high Ph. A while back I got some bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei), they are awesome and can tolerate hard water with high Ph. They seem to be quite happy in a heavily planted tank. The males are stunning little fish, especially when they display. I really like to watch their group behavior... fun fish!

This is awesome, thank you

Hello Jason! I wanted to tell you, how much i appreciate yours and Johanna's content. Fishkeeping hobby is universal and the way you share your experiences is amazing. Being a fishkeeper for more than 20 years myself, I find a lot of very useful information on your channel every time i check it. I wish you and Johanna all the best and keep up the superb work! Big hug and support from Czech Republic! Btw- I have got a liquid rock coming out of my tap :-)

We love this content 🤩🥳

Appreciate the video. I get Lake Tanganyika level water (9+ pH) out the tap so it's hard sometimes to find fish that will thrive in it. Good thing I'm a sucker for live-bearers

Cheers mate

Some very nice fish, really enjoyed the video even though I have soft water 🤓

So so glad I found this video! Im also in the Chicago area and have hard water and while my tap comes out at 7.4ph once its in my tank for a day its always up to 8.2ph. My water hardness is extreme and I dont want to cause any harm to fish. Thank you!

Great video! IMO, Ideal water parameters are the most important factor when it comes to thriving vs surviving. Breeders will usually always provide optimal params for their fish, shrimp etc... to maximize the health and breeding activity of the livestock. If someone is not willing or able to create those ideal params, try to get fish or livestock that will thrive in what you already have. I have hard water, so my neocaridina and guppies do really well! :) For my soft water shrimp, I use RO water and buffering substrate with remineralizer to create those ideal params!

I thank you soooo much for this valuable information. My fish tank is cycled and ready but still I was hesitant which fish would go there since my tap water has a Ph of 8 and those acids to add may be unhealthy and tapaca leaves expensive. Much appreciated Sir.

Came here for some ideas, 'cause I have alkaline water, and was looking for something to put in a planted 10-gal. I have a soft spot for livebearers, so I think I'll go with some Least Killifish for that tank. Appreciate the list, mate! I'd add that Emerald/Green Cory Cats are pretty good for some alkaline water setups. I've had luck with them. Had them for 5+ years. Some species of barbs have worked for me as well, especially Cherry Barbs.

This explains why in 2 years my synodontis petricola has thrived so much (in my very hardy water) whereas others have not, he has become abit of a bully though

Great video have hard water in my area..

Thank you for putting such great info out there and it really helps people like us who are just starting this wonderful hobby. Coming to the point, I have a 90g tank and all the water parameters seem to be fine(ammonia/nitrite/nitrate all 0ppm) except that my PH is 7.2-7.6 and temp set at 79, but lately fishes in that tank have started dying, starting with one angel, another day 2 pleco and yesterday a hillstream loach and now left with 4 angels, 6 Rainbows(boesmani) and 1 hillstream loach. It's just been few days since I put them in the tank. I have a 10-gallon tank where tetras and neons are thriving and no issues. I have started to think that these fish wouldn't be good for the Texas natural water parameters and better move to cichlids, though I have never kept a cichlid before. I would sincerely appreciate it if you could provide me with some suggestions, if so, could you recommend some hardy/beginner cichlids? Appreciate your help.

Such a good topic for a stocking video! I have what seems like an unusual combination of higher pH (8-8.4, based on API tests) and very soft water. GH and KH very low, each around 2-3. I thought for years that my pH was lower because my test strips read 6.4 consistently. Irene/Girl Talks Fish mentioned it might a false low reading due to treatment slurries when she investigated our mutual Denver water? Anyway, can’t wait to see the soft water video hopefully coming soon 😉🐟

Great job one of my pet rules is it’s easier to find fish that fit your water then to TRY to change your water!

I love this! ♥️ Will you be doing one for Soft water with low Ph as well?

I’d love to hear about the soft water fish you’ve kept successfully in your hard water.

thanks Jason, i got a bunch of seiryu stone so I am looking for something that can handle a hi ph. My water comes out of the tap at 7.7 and reading what that stone does to water i figure thats a tank that needs to be designed around a hi ph.

A lot of barbs do well in harder water, maybe not their preference or not the best for breeding but many live well, also don't forget brackish water fish, mono's , scats ,chromides and asian black shark catfish also thrive in hard fresh water

I recently watched your video on your aquarium that has African cichlids mixed with South American cichlids I love it. I just upgraded my tank to a 60 gallon and the three main fish that will be in it is an electric blue Jack Dempsey and two parrot fish all of them being about 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Do you think I could pull off something similar I would really like to add two or three peacocks or mbunas?

I'm planning a 2023 makeover for one of my 75g. I prefer soil/gravel, like to have plants and don't enjoy aggressive fish. I really like the Golden Rams but I'm found myself down to two pretty quickly and think part of that may be my hard NM water. Thanks for so many videos. Looks like the Neolamprologus Leleupi might be a great fish for next year. Any tips are welcome.

My tap water is very low in water hardness, ph and kh. So I keep discus and they are thriving. I find your videos awesome !! I am wondering if you would do a video on fish that can handle low ph range? I would love to get fish like red sword tails, pea puffers, neon tetras and glass fish in my cycled empty 36 gallon bow front just to name a few. Sincerely, Marty Borst 😀

Yay, to the all male peacock tank!!

New to the channel, great information. I will pick up a variety of the fish you recommend for my high PH 35 gallon aquarium. We have a water softener which helps. Now, about plants... I am stuck, too much light, the algae takes off. Too little the plants struggle. Any ideas?

Great video! One thing not covered that I have been wanting to ask about is what your experience is in keeping soft water fish (I know you have kept tetras, gouramis, rasboras, bettas etc.) in hard water? I have heard anecdotally that soft water fish are better able to adapt to hard water than hard water fish to soft water--have you found this to be true? Do you find that soft water fish just survive or actually thrive in your water? A fellow midwesterner with even harder water (about same PH) than you and about to make stocking decisions, thus the question. Thanks again for the great content every week!

Another great video! I might have to stop watching. Why? You ask? Because every time you suggest something, I want those fish!!! I'm just kidding 😂. I won't stop watching. You just give me lots to think about. Happy fishes! 🐟🐠🐡🐟🐠🐡

I have a planted nano tank loaded with breeding shrimps. So I figured I can put micro fishes. So I bought 2 dozen chili rasboras. They all died within 12 hours. I just found out that they kept those fish below ph7.

Great video, I'm in the process of switching out one of my tanks, it has be set up for a few months with mollies and gouramis, my question is how long will the good bacteria live on the rocks, plants and substrait if they're not in water

Prim Time Aquatics, can u also do a video on plants that do well in the same type of water parameters as this video topic?

Very cool info. Can I ask a question? What type of clean up crew can you have with Multis? Snails?

My water is about the same as yours, and I breed Celestial Pearl Danios and Emerald Dwarf Rasboras by the hundreds with no problems. Anyone looking for nano fish this type of water these will do great.

lol I thought you said Fluer-de-lys Killifish. 😂

👌👌👍😍

I just got my first aquarium, I got a 37 gallon tank that I set up about a month ago and almost a week ago I got my first fish into the tank and sadly I got 7 fish at first 1 shark and 6 tetras, all glofish cause that's what interested me at first and the beginner tag on them and how cool they look made me want them. Sadly I lost all but 1 tetra from my first batch and I think I know what I did wrong. I misunderstood the advice I got from the pet store employee that said to put food in the tank when you set it up, but I put food in daily so after the first fish died I did a water change and then the next day when I woke up to more dead friends I did another water change and really cleaned out the uneaten food and added 3 new tetras to give my sole survivor some friends and sense all are living and looking to add the new shark and 2 new tetras soon. My main question is I've heard that leaving lights on too long grows algae, I have 2 different lights on my tank a regular white LED I leave on for the day (usually turn it on around 6 in the morning and turn it off at about 9 at night) then at night I turn that light off and turn on my glofish light that has a midnight setting that's a really dim kinda purple light, will having this on all night over time leave me with an algae problem in the future?

Can you do one for super low ph 6.4 and no gh or kh? Atlanta has super soft water 😑

I got very low ph its perfect for wild bettas for my african cichlids i use a lot of seiryu and base rock in their tanks

Do you have a video for low Ph with high hardness

What brand name LED lights do you use on your tanks and please match lights to what size tanks they go with . Thank you

I have a 10 gallon tank with 2 glos, 1 tetra and a zebra loach. Do I have enough space to add a betta?

Where do you guys buy your fish from?

New to hobby...general question. I chose sand for my tank instead of gravel. Ive done 2 partial water changes and a lot of sand is coming out even when i just light touch the sand. I guess i could rubbet band a filter media bag on the siphon, but then its going ti filter out like poop and uneaten food...any ideas?

My water is dang near the same as yours. Great for cichlids, but makes it a lot of work if I want to breed tetras, discus, etc,.

I have tanganyikan tank with multifmultifasciatus, julidochromis and cyprichromis with ph 7.8. Should I increase my ph using seachem tanganyika buffer or use more crushed corals? Thank you

Plz tell me how to cycle acidic tank? I wanted to keep rasboras which need ph around 5.8 to 7. I read that nitrifying bacteria need ph around 7 to 8 for develope properly :( You also mentioned that in your nitrogen cycle video. Plz help sir.

I wish you'd give the water hardness in ppm as this makes no sense to me!

What if I hate hardwater fish and fell in love with softer water fish? Can I change my tap water somehow? Looking to get my first fish tank ever!

Jason, my LFS has some SHARK CATFISH about 2 inches, I want to put 4 of them in my 125 but are they full salt water or brackish water? The LFS tells me high PH, I googled it and can’t get a definite answer , what would you keep them in? Thanks 🦈 🦈🦈🦈,

Hey I have ph 7.6 and really high gh test strip is at 180 but that’s as high as it reads so it might be higher, I’ve been wanting to get some shrimp or maybe dwarf crayfish but I’m not sure if any would be suitable to my water parameters any advice?

What about fish for pH 8.2 and low water hardness at 4? I know that high pH is usually associated with higher hardness, but this is not my case. Thx everyone.

So I have little black dots on my plastic plants and filter intake but not on anything else in the tank....any clue water good. fish are fine. Water changes done weekly. Thanks

I just have to tell you that you remind me of one of my favorite comedian actors, Bill Burr. I feel like you have to have heard that before

Any ideas for high ph and a hardness of 120 ppm ? Really want to do Apisto’s ??

Oooooo... can you do the opposite stocking options please??

My ph out of the tap can be 7 one day and 8 the next. But my medaka are thriving.

How do you keep your Mollys so healthy? Every molly I have ever owned does great for a few months, then all of a sudden one day the stomach goes from the usual wide, round shape, to a thin, emaciated looking stomach. They die the day after. I have never had this problem with any other fish, only Mollys. And it doesn't matter where I get them from, it always happens.

Chlamydogobius eremius 🙂👍

He forgot to mention various types of rainbowfish. They're very colorful and active, and do well in higher pH water.

What about cherry shrimp?

You say hardness around 8 What is the unit? grain?, ppm , Clarks degrees? French degrees? German Degrees? My water has a TH of 300 ppm , KH of 100 ppm and a pH of 6.8 Will African cichlids do well in this water?

We have a small 10 gallon tank at moms …she insists we keep coral in the tank …so wanted the perfect fresh fish for her.

My pH is 14, what can I keep?

Thank you! I have a pH of 8.6 min :/

I’m just not a fan of cichlids. They’re aggressive and who doesn’t like plants? Noooo thank you.