Andrew's 36 gallon Bowfront

Well, I have a 36 Gallon Bowfront myself. I have 2 Angels, which is about all the angels you can fit into a 36 Gallon Bowfront. Otos don't get very big and the angels will most likely eat them, so I would get a BN pleco instead. They don't get very big (5 in.) and do a good job of eating algae (I also have one). For the cherry barbs, you can get about 10 of them. At that point, your tank will be fully stocked. Good Luck!

If you do go with the otos, put them in first and give them a bit of time to grow. Then introduce your angel fish. They'll be less likely to eat them then.

I'm hoping my next tank will have angels as the centerpiece, so I look forward to hearing what stock list they go with, and how it progresses.

Welcome to the hobby Andrew!

You could also add vals to the list of plants. They do fairly well in low light

I've had good luck with with amazon swords, java fern, and a various anubias in my tanks. I just have a standerd light that comes with the tank.

As for stocking, a school of otos or a Bristlenose pleco will make a great clean-up crew. I doubt that angels would bother either, as the otos get to about 1.5-2" and the BN's get about 3-5". (The albino Bristlenoses are ussually smaller)

Make sure he knows all about the freshwater cycle, and you should show him aqadvisor.com it's an awesome site for figuring out tank stockings.

Good luck!

One last thing, I would try to add elevation into your tank as much as possible. Try adding different size pieces of driftwood (Maybe a centerpiece or two in the middle) and planting your plants in bunches of 3-4 from small to large. Try to leave some substrate showing though, it adds to the tank.

Lastly, pool filter sand is a lot better than cheesy gravel. I bought a 50 lbs bag for 6.50, and it filled my 37 with plenty left over. It's not the best looking sand, but it still looks nice and better than the cheesy aquarium gravel. You can find it any pool supply store.

From one who keeps angels, 2 would be the max in this aquarium. Once they get full grown the rule is 1 per 10 gallons, even though I had 3 once in a 30 and two got two territorial, and nipped at the smaller black marble. I separated but it was no use, and the marble died even though I treated him for his injuries. So my rule has now been no more than 2 Angels in a 30. . even 36. That way the angels can stretch out and grow and boy-will-they! But they are a delight, and I don't discourage keeping them.

Another thing to note-- barbs are fin nippers. Injuries to the fins of angels could cause illness and death. I advise keeping angels with larger tetras if you are looking for a few smaller fishes, like a small (6) school of black skirt tetras or another tetra comparable in size to these. They all like slightly acidic and soft water so this is a great pairing! And I agree with fishboy7-- bristlenose pleco is the way to go

In a low-light, planted aquarium these would be great! Cheers!

I have a 40g with a big angel, 7 diamond tetras, 7 colombian tetras, a pair of bristlenose plecos, 7 bronze cories, a small tandanus and 2 small clown loaches (the tandanus and loaches are moving to a 135 when they grow. I already have the 135)

I wouldn't recommend this stocking for a newbie, so maybe a pair of angels and the schools of tetras with a bristlenose.

Some good plants are Java fern and Java moss. I have medium light so I have some anacharis floating around.