new 30G tank

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MasterZ

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Feb 22, 2004
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I just bought a brand new 30G tank... What are some good choices to stock this? What fish should I start with? The fish should be hearty (not neon tetras)

I'm thinking Tiger Barbs or Cherry Barbs might be nice to start with, but I want this to be a community tank when it's all said and done and I hear they pick on other fish.
 
if its a community tank (depending on the type of community you want) cherry barbs would be fine but tigers can be nippy depending on the type of fish you want later on. do you have an idea of any fish you want to add in the future? this can help determine what to get now. most any danio is hardy, active, relatively community (some individuals can be bothersome) and usually cheap as well. of course platies and mollies can go with just about anything and are very easy to keep and breed. there are some tetras that are much hardier than neons and such but some can be nippy if you plan to get something like a beta to try in the tank. let us know your future plans and we can help eliminate any mistakes that might be made along the road. the dimensions of the tank would also be helpful as there are various 30 gallon designs to choose from. Kyle
 
I'm not sure on the dimensions, the tank actually isn't mine it's my brothers. It's a regular 30 gallon NOT Long NOT High. It's a rectangle with plenty of surface area.

He (my brother) would like to add a puffer fish in the future, but I know nothing about them. Any ideas on this?
 
here's a little more on pufferfish.

http://www.****************/catalog_pages/brackish_water/puffer_figure_eight.htm#table
 
That was good info. I'm assuming puffers can't eat regular tropical fish flakes then?

At my local pet store they have "Penguin Tetras" these are really nice looking fish (look like cardinal tetras except the stripes are black and white) anyone have any info on putting these in the aquarium?

Thanks
Steve
 
Along with the questions on my last post, which are the more hardy of the tetras? Serpae? Cardinal? Are any of them hardy enough to do a cycle with?

Which are the best fish to do a cycle in a 30G tank? I understand there are fishless methods, but that is not an option in this case. I'm hoping to start off maybe 3 fish so the nitrite(ate?) spike isn't too high.
 
In summation the following are fish that are of interest in this 30 gal community tank. Please give me some combinations and numbers:

Cherry barbs, penguin/cardinal tetras, kuhli loach, harlequin rasbora, red tail shark, black tetra, red phantom tetra, serpae tetra, catfish (type?), puffer(if possible), + any other type of fish you guys think may go well in this aquarium.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated so I thank those who have already replied and I thank anyone in advance who has yet to reply.
 
i heard danios are good cycling fish, very stout fish. Maybe start with 2-3 of those.
 
Originally posted by MasterZ
Cherry barbs, penguin/cardinal tetras, kuhli loach, harlequin rasbora, red tail shark, black tetra, red phantom tetra, serpae tetra, catfish (type?), puffer(if possible), + any other type of fish you guys think may go well in this aquarium.
Click to expand...

I read the article silentskream posted, and it appears that puffers are very nippy if they don't have almost constant food. Plus, they prefer brackish water over fresh. I would stay clear of them, but that's just my opinion though... maybe someone can tell you of a successful community tank experience w/ puffers included.

Top level:
4 zebra danios (I know you didn't list them as an interested fish, but they are fun to watch, and very 'zippy' and lively fish that stay mainly on the top level of the tank. Also very hardy and you could cycle w/ them).
Mid level:
6 serpae tetras (very hardy - you can cycle w/ them)
6 cherry barbs
Bottom/mid level:
1 red tail shark
Bottom level:
6 cories (many different color variations, get 6 if you get 'dwarf' size, but only 4 if you get regular size, as they can get up to 3")

Some may argue that this is a bit heavily stocked, but I think if you keep up with water changes (once you cycle properly), you shouldn't have any problems!!

Good luck!
~Tara
 
Tara, thank you for the info. If I was to use this setup, what would be the best method of doing it? Should I start off with the 3 tiger danios? Then how long should I wait before putting another type of fish in?

I guess I'm looking for soft of a "time line"
 
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