Stocking Help Needed.

[bfloyd]

Hello every one, I a have a 20 gallon high tank that I am about to add some plants to and cycle. However, I have some questions about what would be my best stocking option.

I really want a group of 6 Cory Cats (panda, Juli, leopard, bandit, or schwartz not sure which group I want yet.) and 1 Bristle Nose Pelco.

My main question is what would be the best mid level swimmer(s) that I could add with out over stocking the tank? I would like something colorful and an active or somewhat active swimmer. I was thinking along the lines of the following:

1 Beta, or
1 Blue or Gold ram or
Neon's or Guppies I am pretty sure I would be over stocked with that option since I would need a school of either one.

Questions about the Rams. Can they be kept alone? Also I have read they are hard to keep is this true and if so, how hard it is?)

Please let me know what you think. Any suggestions and/or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Billy

[nahrie]

Rams like buddies. And yes, they are delicate. I like a challenge, but not everyone does. They need perfect water conditions, and are best not added until your tank has been established for a while. My best suggestion would be to drop the cory group to 4, and go for a type that stay pretty little, ditch the pleco, and go with a small group of neons. If you still like the idea of rams, do the same, just sub them for the neons, and your best bet would be to have double the recommended filtration for your tank size. Hope this helps.

[KarlTh]

Rams are a lot more delicate when the water is hard or otherwise high in TDS. If you're in the habit of putting salt in your tank routinely and can't give it up, don't have them. If your water is very hard, I'd also avoid them.

[7itanium]

I would go with the cories and the BN pleco for sure

and I would add a school of zebra danions (4-5), OR neon/glowlight tetras (6-7) and maybe a female beta.. they would put you at max capacity (some would think its a bit much) but I have even more than that in my 20h and it does fine with weekly water changes

[ChrisK]

Add a school of neons or cardinals, and dwarf gourami...would work fine.

[steveywinet]

While I like Pleco's, 20G is too small IMO. I like the suggestions of going with Cardinals or Neons. Black Neons would be a bit exotic if that suits you. In any case, it would be best to have at least 6 or more in a school.

[bfloyd]

First of all thanks for all the suggestions and comments.


While I like Pleco's, 20G is too small IMO. I like the suggestions of going with Cardinals or Neons. Black Neons would be a bit exotic if that suits you. In any case, it would be best to have at least 6 or more in a school.

I forgot to say that I have black rocks glued to the back of my tank. So, while the black neon's are nice I think they will blend in with the back ground to much. What do you think?


I would go with the cories and the BN pleco for sure

and I would add a school of zebra danions (4-5), OR neon/glowlight tetras (6-7) and maybe a female beta.. they would put you at max capacity (some would think its a bit much) but I have even more than that in my 20h and it does fine with weekly water changesSo 6 cories, 1 BN pelco, and 6 neon's would not be to much for the tank? From what I have read here and online the inch of fish rule is not the perfect way to determine stocking but this would be about 25-30 inches of fish correct?

Or should I drop the number of cories to 4? I am looking at adding 6 because this is what I have read they do their best in groups of 6 or more.

Also, which cory cat: panda, Juli, leopard, bandit,schwartz or other is the most active?

Thanks for all the help and sorry for all the questions.:thm:BTW I will post pics of the tank when I get a chance!

[ChrisK]

All of the corys you listed are pretty active, my favorite of that group is schwartz. You will be fine with the stocking you listed.

[bfloyd]

All of the corys you listed are pretty active, my favorite of that group is schwartz. You will be fine with the stocking you listed.

So, you would say that 6 cories, 1 BN pelco and either 1 beta or 6 neon's would be okay?

[steveywinet]

My tanks all have a black backgrounds. Just my personal preference. I don't think that would inhibit the visual aspect of Black Neons, but you have to go with what YOU find appealing.

[ChrisK]

So, you would say that 6 cories, 1 BN pelco and either 1 beta or 6 neon's would be okay?

I'd say get the neons and the betta

[bfloyd]

Thanks everyone for the replies. And if anyone has any more suggestions please feel free to leave a comment. I still have to cycle the tank, so I have time to think things over.