new 33g--Asian community

[Nicole29]

I'm getting a used 33 gallon tank and want to think up some stocking strategies in advance. Since my other tank is geared towards an Amazon community, I was thinking about making this a Southeast Asian one. I like the following fish:

-Glass Catfish (for sure)
-some type of Gourami or Betta
-red tailed black shark (thinking it may be too aggressive though)
-Red tailed rasboras
-harlequin rasboras
-cherry barbs
-red lined torpedo barb (i think they are from india though)
-Kuhlii loaches
-SAE
-some type of shrimp

I know I can't have them all, but are there any that would work better together, the only ones I defintely want are glass cats and I know I need to keep them in a fairly large group, I was thinking 8.

Any suggestions on other stocking numbers or suggestions on other fish??

oh and I am going to have plants, most likely low lights like crypts, java fern, etc. Would a natural gravel work all right??

 

[5TankHarmony]

I would definetely skip the red-tailed shark, espescially if there are to be gouramis in the tank. Even then I think you might be overstocked in a 33g.

 

[Nicole29]

yeah i know I can't have all the things I listed, I was just wondering what would go best together and how many to get?? The only thing I would like for sure are the glass cats.

 

[DarkEntity]

I dont think a Siamese Algae Eater is an appropriate fish either tbh.

 

[phanmc]

I would leave out the redline barbs as well, they are big (6'+) schooling fishes that require alot of swimming space.

A siamese algae eater isn't a bad choice, good idea to have it for algae. It can also get to be 6'+ but do not require a school. I've heard that they can get aggressive as they get older but have not seen that in my SAEs.

My recommendation is:

8 glass cats
8-10 rasboras of your choice
4-6 kuhli loaches
a betta or gourami
1 SAE

 

[H3D]

If you are going to use glass catfish they will take up most of aquarium. I suggest the following:

2 dwarf gouramis
8 glass catfish
4 small shrimp

 

[boofish2]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it the Chinese Algae Eaters that are aggressive esp. as they age? I have 2 Siamese Algae Eaters that are very mellow - and very busy algae eaters. A good choice for a community tank IMO. Just make sure the stripe goes all the way in to the tail Here's a pic of mine:

 

[jm1212]

the chinese ones are the agressive ones, yes.

i would go with what homer3d455840 said

 

[fishcatch22]

glass cats are pretty sensitive fish...... loads of trouble IME. IMHO you might be best leaving them out. how about this stocking plan.....

1 gourami, any kind under 4".
10-12 rasboras, any kind.
1-2 SAEs or khulii loaches.

 

[H3D]

The problem with kuhli loaches is that the term is used generically. There are many types of kuhli loaches and some of them get too large for an aquarium this small. If you are going to use kuhli loaches be sure to research them carefully before you buy.