48" X 18" X 18" TANK

[coolwade]

Hello,

I have a question about my new tank.

I have had a few years experience with aquariums, but I have only just brought a tank of this sive. My first tank was a small 12", then an large 18" then a very tall 24" tank.

I have cycled my tank and the tests are all clear and I am really happy that I can start to add some fish.

I was wondering how many fish I can put in my tank.

I am going for a South American/Amazon Biotype with:
2 x Angels (Pot luck, but going for a breeding pair with a 24" breeding tank that is empty)
Lemon Tetra x 15
Cardinal Tetra x 12
Cory Panda x 8
Bristlenose Catfish x 1
Rummy Nose Tetra x 8
Serpae Tetra x 4
Cochus Blue Tetra x 4
Black Widow Tetra x 6

The tank is very well planted and has been cycled with the use of a feeder goldfish which will be returned to the LFS once I purchase the said fish. Poor thing will be taken home to some Lake Cichlids I suppose!

Obviously I will not be introducing all these at the same time as that would be murder.

I have measured my tanks literage with all the substrate/equipment/plants and comes to 58 gallons.

What do you think?

 

[blitzen25bm]

i think thats too many tetras, i would only do 2 different types at the most. a larger school of 1 type will look best in my opinion my tank thats about that size only has 2 angels, 5 julii cories and some live bearers but i like to be heavily understocked. -john

 

[coolwade]

i think thats too many tetras, i would only do 2 different types at the most. a larger school of 1 type will look best in my opinion my tank thats about that size only has 2 angels, 5 julii cories and some live bearers but i like to be heavily understocked. -john

I really want the Cardinals in a group of about 15, so what suggestions from the list above would you recommend?

 

[Blinky]

I wouldn't get serpae tetras - they're terrible fin nippers and will likely shred your angels' fins.
Cardinals are gorgeous, but keep in mind that when the angels get big enough, those cardinals will very likely look like lunch - TMK, angels eat neons and cardinals in the wild. Don't be surprised if they dissapear one by one.
Any taller-bodied tetras will be safe, but rummy nosed tetras could also get eaten if they're small enough.
If your tank will be heavily planted, that will help the little guys find a place to hide Sounds like it's going to be a beautiful tank.

 

[SayersWeb]

With my Angels I have Congo Tetras and two strains of Australian Rainbows along with Panda Corys and Clown Loaches. They are a great mix.

I also agree that you are best sticking with only one or two types of Tetras. Otherwise they all co-mingle and it just looks like a jumbled up group of fish.

That is a great dimensioned tank.... Works out to about 70 gallon, right?

 

[coolwade]

That is a great dimensioned tank.... Works out to about 70 gallon, right?

Yeah, it works out to about that, but it as about 58 gallons effective.

Alright, so no Serpae tetra and too many fish. So, can I go with three types of tetra, like:

Corys Panda x 8,
Cardinals x 15,
Lemon Tetra x 10,
Cochus Blue Tetra x 10, and
Bristlenose Catfish x 1.

Is this more realistic?

 

[RTR]

I like that assortment better myself - I was going to suggest omitting the Black Widows as well as the Serpaes, they are both boisterous fish and the BW are too big to boot.

You may want to consider adding a trio of Otos and some Amano shrimp as housekeeping staff. The bristlenose will likely do well on the glass, but is too heavy to do other than swordplant leaves.

 

[phanmc]

I'd just like to re-emphasize the dangers of keeping Angels with bite-size fishes like the cardinal and lemon tetras. Once the angels grow up to be 5 inches, their mouths will be big enough to fit most slim fishes 2 inches or smaller. They are predatory, so they will most likely view smaller fishes as food eventually.

 

[coolwade]

You may want to consider adding a trio of Otos and some Amano shrimp as housekeeping staff. The bristlenose will likely do well on the glass, but is too heavy to do other than swordplant leaves.

Sorry, what are otos? What is the common name for these. The Amano shrimp, I have never heard of these, common name? Also, are these both South American? I am going for a Amazon Biotype tank.

I'd just like to re-emphasize the dangers of keeping Angels with bite-size fishes like the cardinal and lemon tetras. Once the angels grow up to be 5 inches, their mouths will be big enough to fit most slim fishes 2 inches or smaller. They are predatory, so they will most likely view smaller fishes as food eventually.

Ok, so lets say I take the hint and leave the Angels out of my community tank, that would leave a fair bit of space for more tetras. How does this composition sound with no Angels:

Corys Panda x 8, Bottom Dwellers
Cardinals x 15, Middle Dwellers
Lemon Tetra x 10, ????
Cochus Blue Tetra x 10, Middle/Top Dwellers
Rummy Nose Terta x 10, Middle Dwellers
Bristlenose Catfish x 1, Bottom Dwellers
Oto x ???, and ????
Shrimp thingies! x ???. ????

Can anyone help with the ??? markings?

 

[phanmc]

ottos are short for ottocinculus, very small sucker catfishes that do an excellent job as a cleaner fish. They are normally bottom dwellers but will swim anywhere there's algae. They're very active and like to be in schools (3 or more).

That would be an impressive tank for tetras but they're all small fishes. Someone recommended the congo tetras and I think they'd be a great center piece schooling fish because they're a little bigger than most tetras and very flashy under bright lighting.