Stocking ideas

S

sdb

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May 4, 2004
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When my fishless cycle ends, I'm thinking of this for stocking, or something similar:

I Angelfish
5 Cherry barbs
5 Black Phantom Tetras
6 Cories

Is this too many/not enough?? I would appreciate any suggestions. I've chosen this selection based on the limitations of my LFS, but it's not set in stone. I'm even re-thinking the angelfish, because with the small selection I have to choose from, I would definately have more options without an aggessive angel in there.

I also have a 20gal community tank consisting of neons, serpaes, danios, swordtails, white skirts, and a platy. Basically two of each. So another option is to split up this tank and add more of each to make nice schools, plus maybe a couple new types to add variety.

Like I said, suggestions are welcome!
 
What size tank is it that you're cycling now? It sounds like a nice selection of fish. Given enough room, the angel isn't likely to be very agressive (it will eat teeny tankmates if it can catch them, I mean agressive in the fighting/bullying sense). My angel's a pussycat, but he's housed with pretty passive little guys and no one else in the tank is territorial so I suppose he considers the entire place his and, therefore, doesn't feel the need to fight with anyone :)
Your other idea is also a nice one, adding to the groups will make the schooling fish feel more secure. Whatever you do, if you get an angel, I suggest you don't combine it with the serpaes. They can be horrible fin nippers, and fish with long, flowing fins are prime targets.
[edit] cherry barbs are often sold in m/fm pairs, and don't need to be kept in groups like most other barbs. They don't mind being in a group, but it's not necessary, so if you need to cut down on numbers that's a good place to start [/edit]
 
I think the angel will be quite peaceful. For a 20g., I'd get an angel, some sort of small school of tetras ( rummynose are my fav., neons or black neons ) a pair of german or golden rams and a scavenger to keep the gravel a little cleaner. Thats 8 or nine fish, make sure you have a decent filter. But it will be a pretty and active tank. The rams are very colorful and the rummynose have a red head and a white/black tail.
 
Oop, sorry!! I forgot to say the cycling tank is 33 gal.
Kind of hard to tell if my selection/numbers are ok when you don't know the tank size. :o
Anyway, I don't think my LFS knows the difference between a male and female cherry barb, so who knows what I'd get. Do the numbers need to be balanced? If so, I'll need to know the difference before I go in to get them.
My LFS can't get rams, and I've never seen rummynose tetras in there. I'm limited on what I can get since it's a small store in a small town.
Anyway, if I can add more fish, let me know, but if this is a good number, I'll be happy. The tank has an AC 300.
 
just remember to only put in a few/week.. don't stock it up 100% immediatly.. maybe try just putting your cories in there, then a week later throw in an angel or the cherry barbs, etc...
 
Generally the male cherry barbs are the smaller much more colorful ones,while the females are bigger and more of a dull red to brown color.
 
Just my opinion but I would get 2 angels. I believe in that fish with a few exceptions should be kept in pairs or more.
 
I'm still a little concerned about stocking levels. Since I'm fishless cycling, I want to fully stock and I'm worried that my list is too short (it's a 33 gal). If I can add more, I'd like to. I'm going to be putting in an order at my LFS, so I'll need to know how many to get, and what. I just need an idea on numbers, and I can go from there.

I'm starting to lean towards splitting my 20gal tank up so I can add more of each and have proper schools (it has 2 swords, 1 platy, 2 danios, 2 white skirt tetras, 2 serpae tetras, and 6 neons), plus maybe add some new types for something different, plus cories for both tanks.
But I'd love to have an angel........

I guess I'm starting to feel the pressure. My tank today showed ammonia 0 and nitrite 0. I may be there! I'll give it a couple more days before I know for sure.
 
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