Stocking 29 Gallon Tank

[Sonic Tooth]

I have a 29 gallon tank. I cycled it already, but since I am fairly new to fish keeping I am going to start off slow.

I already have:

Two Red Wagtail Platys
Three Gold Twin Bar Platys

The tank has just plastic plants right now, but will have a number of caves and rocks in the future.

I would like to fill out the rest of the tank with:

1 pleco
4-6 cory catfish
Maybe a dwarf gourami?

I tend to like the catfish more than other types of fish, so any tips on what kinds are suited for this tank would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Rbishop]

Drop the pleco, most get too big for a 29. The corys will give you plenty of bottom activity. Good choice on the dwarf G.

[ILOVEBETTAS]

Sounds great. Go ahead and add that gourami. Get two, actually. A male and a female. They like being in pairs.

By the way, I'm stocking my 29g tomorrow :)

Remember to feed the catfish sinking pellets/wafers and feed the other fish a variety of foods.

Make sure the pleco isn't a common pleco, that you find at the store. You should order a bristlenose pleco or something. Common plecos get 2' long or more and are VERY aggressive.

Happy Fish keeping! Good luck.

[Sonic Tooth]

Ok, so 5 platys, 4-6 cory catfish, and 2 dwarf gouramis = healthily stocked tank?

[Sonic Tooth]

Would a few otocinclus catfish be a nice addition eventually?

[Rbishop]

I would have the group of corys or same size group of otos.

[RoseFishWatcher]

If you really really want a pleco, some common types that stay small are bristlenose plecos, and rubber pleco. There are actually lots of plecos that stay reasonably small, just research before you pick one out. I believe clown plecos are also fairly small - can't remember for sure.

Otos would be a fine addition. They like being in a group and most people recommend adding them after your tank has had a chance to grow some green algae for them to eat.

[Sonic Tooth]

All these additions will be in a month or so... I want to make sure I can handle platys before I move on to a full tank.

[Cory Lover]

Ok, so 5 platys, 4-6 cory catfish, and 2 dwarf gouramis = healthily stocked tank?

Hi,

Five Platies, 4-6 Cories, and two Dwarf Gouramis for a 29 gallon tank is a little under stocked IMO. IMO you could get eight Cories instead of four or six, plus a school of six Zebra Danios.

I love catfish too, especially Cories as you can see :).

Cory Lover

[Sonic Tooth]

Yea, my brother is the one who first started a tank in our household and a few months back he brought those little guys home... I love em.

I'm glad to hear my initial plans weren't overly ambitious.

[bettafish777]

dwarf gouramis go great with platies. You could add some guppies or danios. Not both. the danios would get too nippy.

[ChilDawg]

I know it's kind of different from the way most people keep fishes, but have you considered keeping it understocked for a while while you cut your teeth, so to speak? I think that would be the perfect way to start out--much fewer problems and much less cause for worry.

[Sonic Tooth]

I know it's kind of different from the way most people keep fishes, but have you considered keeping it understocked for a while while you cut your teeth, so to speak? I think that would be the perfect way to start out--much fewer problems and much less cause for worry.

Well, I'm going with just the platys for the foreseeable future... So, that is what I am doing. And I am most likely going to get the cories next, in two - four weeks.

[nick_flano22]

5 platys for the moment once theyve been in ther for a few weeks add the corys, the in another few weeks add the gouramis, thats my suggestion, just remember dont be to hasty with fish choices and adding fish, it is a common mistake, as well as not cycling.

[BucJason]

If you really really want a pleco, some common types that stay small are bristlenose plecos, and rubber pleco. There are actually lots of plecos that stay reasonably small, just research before you pick one out. I believe clown plecos are also fairly small - can't remember for sure.

Otos would be a fine addition. They like being in a group and most people recommend adding them after your tank has had a chance to grow some green algae for them to eat.

Gold nugget plecos only get 6 inches, so that would work also...they're expensive though, but 100% prettier than a regular pleco.

[Aussie_hippie_2]

You could get a banjo cat. Though you'll never see it.

[Sonic Tooth]

Is a HOB filter enough aeration for this sized tank? There are bubbles everywhere...

[guppygirl123]

You could get a banjo cat. Though you'll never see it.

I had a banjo cat, and I rarely saw it in the day.... But at night it was quite interesting.

[H3D]

Is a HOB filter enough aeration for this sized tank? There are bubbles everywhere...IMO your HOB filter should provide enough aeration.

[Sonic Tooth]

IMO your HOB filter should provide enough aeration.

Thanks dude... Go BUCKEYES!

[Sonic Tooth]

One of my Gold Twin Bar Platys just gave birth... Interesting lol

[H3D]

One of my Gold Twin Bar Platys just gave birth... Interesting lol5 platys can turn into 50 platys real fast! Good Luck! :)