narrowed down my stocking choices!!

[feralcelt2]

hello all

ive been getting great advice from you guys regarding my stocking choices and i believe i almost have it narrowed down!!!

im aiming for a 29gal, but wanted an idea for the types of fishies i wanted before i bought a tank, been wishy washy between a 29 and 55, i think its going to come down to a space factor, so im going with the 29!!!!!!

so now im keeping my eye out for sales and items in the paper!! but i think im a little more certain about the type of fish i want, so i wanted opinions on the details!!

i definitely want

5 zebra danios (do they do better in even numbers or does it matter?)
8 harlequin rasboras (at first was leaning towards cherry barbs, but i like the
idea of the rasboras being smallier than the danios!!)
4-6 cories (6 if i buy just pandas, 4 f i go larger, will probably compromise,
and get 3 pandas and 2 peppered cories)

i want one showcase fish, i was thinking of gouramis, but i know they can be aggressive towards each other, so i was thinking of just keeping it simple and getting a trio of platys (black and white mickey mouse platys)

noticing a black and white theme!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

finally here are my main questions

i love bottom dwellers and would love to add either a clown pleco, an oto or a trio of khuli loaches- which would you guys recomend and what, if any would i have room for.

i would love to add the loaches but i may just have room for the oto if anything!

thanx again for the advice!!!

[Swimfins]

I'd go with ottos for cuteness. Maybe 2 dalmation sailfin mollies for your centerpiece fish?

[feralcelt2]

those would be perfect but dont they need brackish water? or at least a higher salt content?

[cohazard]

Personally, I wouldn't add danios because IME they can become annoying to the other fish (i.e. chasing other fish for no reason). I would replace these with either rummynose tetras, cardinal tetras, or black phantoms.

I love Harlequin rasboras, I have them in my 29g! :thm:

As for the cories, splitting them into 3 of one type and 2 of another isn't the best idea. Cories like to be in rather large groups, so sticking to 5 of the pandas is your best choice.

If you pick otos, I'd wait till your tank is around 4 months old at least, since they do best in established tanks, also add more than just one, a minimum of 5 should be kept in a group.

I think a gourami would be an excellent showcase fish for this tank. As you seem to already know, they can be aggressive amongst each other. So you'd pretty much have to pick your favorite kind.

Here are some of my favorites that would make good centerpiece specimens:

Moonlight gourami
Pearl gourami
Opaline gourami
Gold gourami

If you wanted more than one however, you could go with sparkling gouramis. They're smaller and more peaceful, so you can keep them in a group of 3 or so.

Good luck and
HTH,
Serg

[Ashes]

IMO, it would be okay to split the cories up, because they will school with other species (although they'll school more with their own). However, nothing looks quite as cool as a giant school of panda cories all swimming around together - I know, I had 12! - so I'd say, go with all pandas. They're my favorite, btw. :)

[ttan]

8 harlequin rasboras (at first was leaning towards cherry barbs, but i like the
idea of the rasboras being smallier than the danios!!)



My Rasboras are bigger then my cherry barbs and all are full grown, I don't know if that was helpful but it seems that your post is saying that cherry barbs are bigger then rasboras, which I haven't seen. Also I believe the danios to be very close to the same size as the raboras. I think both are topping out around 2 inches. I haven't kept zerba danios so I can't say for sure.

[WinterWind]

I don't find the zebra danio to be the least annoying to any fish. In my expererience, they are very peaceful and wil make a nice addition.

BTW, I would go with only one type of corry. Mixed species don't do as well as all of the same type.

[feralcelt2]

ok definitely will go with 5 pandas,
i dont think i will have room for a lot of otos in the tank! would 3 work, would like a bottom dweller to help w the algae and add some extra personality!!

ive read that rasboras stay under 2 inches and danios get about 2.4 inches, i guess everyone has a different average!!!!

im still not sure about the gourami, id like to have a pair of "showcase fish"
there are always dwarf gouramis
i think my daughter will get a big kick out of the micky mouse platys though, its a tough call, will definitely add those towards the end when maybe i can see what would fit in!

so what does anyone know about khuli loaches, i just love the little guys!

[rainbo]

I added 3 otos as my first fish and they seem happy, always chasing each other around.

[feralcelt2]

as for the rasboras over my previous notion of cherry barbs, they are more rounder than longer and i was thinking they would add a better contrast to the tank if i stuck with fish of all the same colorings.
cherry barbs are still an option, just now leaning towards the harlequins.

cherry barbs and danios have similar body shapes and i was trying to add some diversity there!!!!

also the lfs has a 20 long with stand and hood for 120, is that a good deal? i know it has the same surface are as the 29 plus it is lower so the plants would probably thrive better being closer to the light!! and then i would just decrease each school by one or two if needed!!!

and if i went that route i already have an emperor biowheel 200, i know there is no such thing as too much filter, but would the waterflow be too strong and create a current in the 20gal tank? dont want my fishies being blown away!!

[jjanoch]

I wouldnt worry about the current....I think mine is pretty strong in a 20g....and the corries & gouramis love to swim up the stream.

Danios chase each other around...they have done nothing to any of my other fish.

I would suggest a Gouramis as your centerpiece....and if you get a pair, they are normally quite fine with each other. Yes they may race around...but that is just playing....dont get to males alone.

I think your idea of the panda cories is great....I had some, but am down to 1..who seems fine grouping with my other cories.