Here's my tank stocking plan

S

Slick Fork

AC Members
Dec 27, 2005
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Wild Rose Country
Hi there,

Thought I would run my tank stocking idea by you guys. I'm still in the process of cycling so I have some time to play around with this idea. Anyways, it's a 33 gallon tank with Java fern and (soon) Java Moss for live plants. I've got a 200 gpm filter as well as undergravel filtration powered by an air pump!

So this is my plan so far (subject to revision of course!!)
10 Harlequin Raspbora's
1 Full size Gourami (the 4 inch ones) colour to be decided. I really like the paradise fish but I think it may be too aggressive.
2 Dwarf Gourami's
2 German Blue Rams
1 Yo-Yo loach
a whole pile fo cherry shrimp for clean up crew (I'm thinking around 10)

My concerns for this tank are the 2 dwarf gourami's and wether or not they will get along with the full size gourami. The raspbora's I think will be fast enough to keep out of trouble. Anyways, let me know what you guys think as far as compatibility etc. goes. I think I'll be right at the limits of my tank with this set-up or will I have space for 1 or 2 more in there?

Also, I'd love any thoughts you guys had on order of stocking. I was thinking going from the smallest to the largest or should it be the other way around?

Cheers
 
I'd go with either the large gouramie or the dwarves, but not both. They will fight, IME. Also, 4 inches is a little low-- a healthy blue gouramie (or gold, platinum, etc) should hit 6 inches. Most of the varieties are a color morph of the blue gouramie.

I'd also verify that the loach or gouramies won't make a snack out of the shrimp--I'd be more worried about the loach than the gouramies, but probably wouldn't trust either.
 
I hope dwarf gouramis don't eat shrimp.... I'd like to have that combination.
 
The Order of stocking...

Start with the least expensive fish...this way, if there's a water quality issue, it won't kill your bank account. Plus you'll have the benefit of a smaller bioload to help get the filtration foing stronger.

Also, be cautious about the Yoyo Loach...they can be very agressive. Perhaps a Clown Loach instead.
 
Actually, you want to stock fish from least aggressive to most aggressive--that allows the shyer fish time to get used to the tank and find hiding places before they are bullied or chased.

Clowns need to be in groups and get too large for this tank.
 
I'm actually humming and hawing about the yoyo loach at the moment, if the dwarf gourami's and the full size gourami are going to fight I'll put the dwarf's on hold. Any ideas on a couple of fish to replace these guys. I'm not too worried about the shrimp, I've got this castle in there that looked really cool on the store shelf (had bubbles and everything) but once I got it set up the bubbles were just plain annoying and it would make a great chateau shrimpy.

All these replies are great, keep 'em coming!!
 
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