Stocking Suggestions

DirkW

DirkW

7 Kids, 4 Tanks, 2 Birds
Oct 28, 2005
144
0
0
Southeastern Virginia
I'm starting my first aquarium and looking for stocking suggestions. I currently have Black Mollies (2 adult female and 5 fry) in a 2.5G tank while the 29G tank is in it's fishless cycle. I'm thinking of another schooling fish like Swordtails and/or Neon Tetra's plus some bottom dwellers to keep things clean. I'm planning on keeping it 76-78 degrees with a healthy amount of marine salt. The 29G has an UGF plus a HOB filter.
 
First off neither mollies or swordtails are schooling and neons are not brakish. Mollies and swordtails really don't need salt, but about one or two table spoons would be enough. I am not sure if neons can survive with that much. I would suggest adding about half a table spoon and thats it and just make it a nice freshwater tank. I have a freshwater with a few mollies and there is only one table spoon(it is 29 gallons like yours) Or you could do brakish but you would have to make sure not to get freshys like neons. Good luck :)
 
Thanks for your help. The LFS told me both Mollies and Swordtails are schooling, so it appears that I can't really trust what they tell me. I've read contradicting opinions about what Mollies need. Maybe they stay pretty happy with either brackish or with light aquarium salt.

I was discussing stocking choices with my wife and kids last night. Unfortunately, nobody else is doing their homework in regards to what makes a good community. They mostly want fish with lots of color. I'd like at least one type of schooling fish, but I'm flexable. Any other suggestions? Am I better off sticking to freshwater?
 
Well in my aquarium I have 2 mollies and 2 guppies which are livebearers like swordtails and like a little salt. I do not know of any brakish schoolers so I would say freshwater with a little salt is your best bet. I am going to add a school of harelquins to my tank and if you really want neons I think you could pull it off. Maybe what your lfs ment was mollies and swordtails like each others company which is true, they do do better with multiple mollies/swords, ect. but they will not swim in a school. You could also add platys or guppies to the mix if you want lots of color. O' yeah be prepared for LOTS of babies if you go with livebearers!! Good luck!
 
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