can i stock these?

[redbucket]

after much harassing of this forum for information and suggestions, i have decided on the following for my 55g christmas present:

bio-spira cycle, 2 aqua clear 300 filters, some real plants and lots of silk ones, upgraded lighting when i can afford it. (and of course the other normal accessories)

now comes the fun part -- the fish. this is what i would like. please, please tell me if i can not have any of these fish with a beta:

12 glow light tetras
6 green corys
1 male beta
2 oto
1 candy stripe
2 rams

maybe: 1 upside down catfish if it will fit.

what do you think? overstocked? will the rams and catfish be okay?

thanks

edit: merry christmas

[jonah]

What's a candy stripe?

Other than that, the rest will work fine in a 55g. There might be some conflict betweeen the rams and cories, but I don't think it would be lethal.

[redbucket]

What's a candy stripe?

There might be some conflict betweeen the rams and cories

candy stripe pleco -- that is, if i can find one locally. i may end up w/ another pleco, we'll see

anyone else w/ advice on the rams and cories? ways to minimize aggression (besides providing plenty of hiding spots)?

thanks for the reply, i appriciate it greatly! i'm quite excited to get things started... just waiting on the biospira

[jonah]

candy stripe pleco -- that is, if i can find one locally. i may end up w/ another pleco, we'll see


Oh, I should have known that one. I don't keep too many catfish, just a pair of breeding bristlenoses and some otos. Whatever you get, make sure it's something that stays small.

[ArkyLady]

Yes, be careful with the pleco you choose, some of them can get very large. You don't really *need* a pleco, especially since you'll have otos. In fact, although I'm quite attached to my pleco, I'll never have another one. They just poop too much :D

[TKOS]

I would choose the much easier to find bristlenose pleco. Better at eating algae if that is what you want it for and it stays nice and small. If you have lots of line of sight breaks and the rams can have their own area they should be fine with the cories. I would leave the upside down catfish out for now and see about fitting it in later.

Also before you definatley choose the betta (they are great fish though) look seriously at a paradise fish (not a black one). You might be surpirsed just how cool they are. Same family as the betta.

[redbucket]

You don't really *need* a pleco, especially since you'll have otos. In fact, although I'm quite attached to my pleco, I'll never have another one. They just poop too much :D

you've convinced me -- i'm not real fond of plecos, actually, i just thought it would be helpful for algea. i think i'll leave the pleco out and definately get the upside down catfish. thanks!


TKOS, i'll check out the paradise fish before buying a beta. besides looks, are there other benifits to a paradise? (aggression, etc)

edit: this makes me new list:
12 glow light tetras
6 green corys
1 male betta (or paradise fish)
2 oto
1 upside down catfish
2 rams

[Wrench]

I've got a pair of German Blue rams in my 55g community with no problems at all. I don't have any cories. They don't mess with any of my slower moving delicate fish.

[downright]

I have never had trouble with rams and corys (as always, ymmv) - but might watch out for the Synodontis cat's big mouth around your glowlights.

[qtaquaman]

Paradise fish become notoriously aggressive in later life.

[Aqualung]

It's been many years since I had paradise fish (back when I was a kid), but I remember them being quite aggressive. They harassed every fish in the tank except tiger barbs, which were the only ones that stuck up for themselves. Just something to keep in mind.

[Wrench]

yeah, I've heard that they're best with bettas that will fight back.

[TKOS]

There are different kinds of paradise fish. http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/Wilkinson_Labyrinth2.html

The spike tailed paradise fish works quite well in a community tank. The others don't. At the moment paradise fish tend to be much hardier than bettas, which are probably far too overbred. So an advantage is that they are just a tougher fish, if you can find the right kind. But a betta should still work just fine.

[Starry]

Why just 2 Otos? If you want them for algae control, two may not be enough for your size tank. And, they like to be in groups anyway.
Good luck with your tank :)