Planning a Community Tank

[blueturq]

Discus would be really cool in that tank, but they aren't exactly reccomended if you are new to the hobby.

I have heard bad things about pictus catfish.

12-15 Cardinal Tetras
8-10 Black Neon Tetras
3-5 Diamond Tetras
6-8 Rummynose Tetras
6-8 Glowlight Tetras
4-6 Sterba's Cory
4-6 Otocinclus
2 Blue Ram Cichlid
2-4 Dward Gourami
1 Queen Arabesque Pleco

Honestly whether it's a 120 gal or 180 gal, with this list- before you consider other fish, you can easily think of stocking within the list that you have, by increasing the numbers of your schooling fish.

Also, it's kind of funny because all of the fish that you listed are all from the same region (South America).. except for the dwarf gourami's (which are from Asia).

But if you aren't concerned with being "geographically accurate" then that will expand your options even further (in addition to your tank size lol).

That entire list sounds really good, other than as I and others have said expanding your schooling fish numbers.

Honestly, if I had tank that size, and were stocking it as a community style tank, then I would get Rainbowfish.

Look them up, I guarantee that there a more than a few species that would catch your eye, and that are probably readily available at your lfs.

Hope this helps at least a little bit!

 

[itearian]

Thanks for warnings about discus, if I ever go get some, I would make sure I had the tank established for awhile. By the time this happens I would have alot more experience. Eventually I would like to get some, but thats several years away.

I didn't intend to make almost everything from South America. I like alot of Asian fish, but they tend to be larger like clown loaches and bala sharks. Not for this aquarium. I really like the rainbows, but I'm afraid that they like cooler water than I would have (around 80).

Approx. how many small tetras/cories would be comfortable in a 180gallon?
Its silly to plan EXACTLY whats going to be in there, but I just want to get ideas right now.

 

[centralharbor]

Thanks for warnings about discus, if I ever go get some, I would make sure I had the tank established for awhile. By the time this happens I would have alot more experience. Eventually I would like to get some, but thats several years away.

I didn't intend to make almost everything from South America. I like alot of Asian fish, but they tend to be larger like clown loaches and bala sharks. Not for this aquarium. I really like the rainbows, but I'm afraid that they like cooler water than I would have (around 80).

Approx. how many small tetras/cories would be comfortable in a 180gallon?
Its silly to plan EXACTLY whats going to be in there, but I just want to get ideas right now.

it would be awesome if you got 20-30 cardinals, 20-30 panda cories and maybe a betta or something else for a centerpiece.

 

[OrionGirl]

I would go with only one or two types of tetras, and make sure they are different sizes as adults. Tetras will mix in with similar size shaped fish, and this ends up not looking as nice as a single, large school of one kind, IMO. Slightly bigger tetras will also help out if you end up adding discus, as discus will eat smaller tetras like neons. Will you be planting the tank?

I would NOT recommend adding pictus catfish with the intent of it just picking off the tetras--pictus are fairly predatory, and will go through the schools at night, soon removing all of them. Not a good plan.

 

[itearian]

I would definitly want to heavily plant the tank, but not so much it would make adding discus later on (if ever) impossible. I would want to get plants established before any fish go in. I few larger schools would probably work better. Man, its hard to decide which tetras to put in though, I really like them all. Cardinals for sure.

Thanks for the advice on the pictus, I didn't think they would be a good idea.

 

[vigu]

I dont know why everyones picking on the pictus. Sure they may not go well with small fish like tetra neons, but they make great community fish (if you go with slightly bigger fish). They´re also good bottom feeders, but the rainbow shark would be better.

 

[itearian]

What would work well with pictus? For a 180 gallon I have given some thought to a larger community tank. I dont know if bala sharks would do well in something that small. Maybe a tank built around clown loaches. Lots of time to decide.

I like all fish, just not every combination of fish

 

[vigu]

Well, if you want to place them with tetras, I heard that they go well with the Black Tetra, Large Bleeding Heart Tetra, Congo Tetra and Serpae Tetra. They also go well with most (if not all) livebearers. In general, they are good for a community tank, but you also have to consider that you cant set compatibility. Some will be different than others. From experience (also take note that Im no expert) the pictus cat is a very active fish. During the day, they tend to hide and lay on the gravel, but when it gets darker they like to swim all over the place (once I saw one jump from my tank into the air which looked kind of cool ). Even though they tend to move a lot, I havent had any problem with mine, but they could get into fights with other bottom feeders if you place them together.