Would like others thoughts on this set-up

C

CMac

Native Longhorn
Nov 2, 2004
23
0
0
53
Los Angeles
www.berkeleyavenueproductions.com
Hi, I just added a few more fish to my existing 29gallon tank and would like others thoughts if possible.

Again it's a 29gallon tank.

1-Male Betta
1-Male Neon Dwarf Gourami
1-Male Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami
2-Chinese Algae Eaters
2-Albino Cory's
7-Neon Tetras
7-Cherry Barbs
2-Bamboo Shrimp

I found out afterwards that I probably shouldn't have put 2 Algae Eaters together. One does seem a little more feisty toward the other one, but they haven't killed each other yet. And they dang sure cleaned up my algae problem in a matter of days. Also the shrimp really cleaned up the left over crap on leaves, under rocks quickly as well. I heard they can clear up water by sifting through and eating the normal smaller stuff that clouds up the water. And again within a few days my tank was very clear. Not sure that is the only reason, but I had read somewhere they are good at that sort of thing, so I figured that was it. The Neon quickly took up to chasing the Blue if he got close. I figured it was strictly the male on male thing so I haven't put too much worry into it. Has anyone seen the same thing? I'd like to get a female for the Dwarf since he seems the most feisty, but not sure my tank can handle too many more fish. And lastly, my female Cherry's which I think I have 5 of the 7, all look like they are going to burst, but I have yet to see the males go after them. Is triggering the water to their conditions the only way to get them to spawn? Or are they simply fat from over-feeding?

It's a lot to digest there, but any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

C
 
Well, bettas and gouramis are both labryrinth fish and will supposedly go after one another. I've never owned them in the same tank, so cannot confirm or deny this. I have owned two bettas who lived in their own tanks and then owned a gourami that lived in a community tank I once had. Never any aggression that I saw in those setups. I have heard that bamboo shrimp are hard to feed properly except in species only tanks. I would get rid of either the barbs or the neons, as they are both schoolers and a 29 gallon is really pushing it with the sticking levels you have already posted. The Chinese algae eaters I would unload ASAP as they are aggressive, outgrow your tank and generally stop eating algae anyway. I'd dump them and get 3 Otocinculus cats and add at least one more Cory.

That's my opinion at a glance.
 
I tried keeping 2 male dwarf gouramis in a 55gal...it didn't work. One was always after the other. I traded him off for another...didn't work.
The CAEs will outgrow your tank, but if your inclined to keep em for now go ahead. I agree with Harlock on swapping them for ottos when the time comes, though they eat different types of algae. You may need a bristlenose pleco to fill the void. I also think that you have a fair sized amount of fish in that tank, but as long as your parameters are o.k. and you're comfortable with the maintenance routine, keep what you have (in respects to numbers).
As far as the male cherries going after the females...you think they wait until someone is watching...? It's hard to say w/o seeing them.
 
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