New brackish tank - compatibility

[Aqua]

Hey guys,

If I was to have a brackish tank with at least 1 archer fish in it (it's a 4'x2'x2' tank, and will be half-full), what fish would be recommended to live nicely, and how many?

Also, does live rock survive in brackish water conditions? I understand that plants don't tend to do so well in that environment, and I'd like to get something relatively natural looking...

[Caryl]

Some plants will cope if you keep the sg down to 1.005 or below. Try Java fern, Microsorium pteroides; Sagittaria, Spathiphyllum or Hygrophila though the extra turbulence and filtration might upset them (needed as you need a high amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. brackish fish are active and prefer a slightly higher temp which has a lower oxygen content. Surface turbulence will also help get rid of excess carbon dioxide and brackish fish release a lot of this due to their higher metabolic rates.)

As for fish, I am not sure of their compatibility with each other but fish suitable to this environment are;

Scats, Scatophagus argus; Indian glassfish, Chanda ranga; Archerfish, Toxotes jaculator (as you know); Monos, Monodactylus argenteus; silver shark, Balantiocheilus melanopterus; Molly, Poecillia latipinna; orange chromide, Etroplus maculatus; kribensis, Pelvicachromis pulcher; golden banded goby (bumblebee fish), Brachygobius xanthozona, Knight goby, Stigmatogobius sadanundio, half beaks, Dermogenys pusillus and 4 eyes, Anableps anableps

Archerfish require live food like flies, moths and crickets. They grow to about 15cm and can be aggressive.

Just did a bit of Googling. It looks like the scats and monos would go with them but they will eat smaller fish.

Have a look here http://wetpetz.com/archerfish.htm

[simfish]

get some fresh water shrimp, they suppose to do well in brackish water

and tasty.....mmmmmmmmmm