Stocking a 20L, Bolivian Ram or Pearl Gourami?

T

tbirdie

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May 6, 2008
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Hi all,

I've been posting a lot lately to make sure I am thoroughly researching before I start my new freshwater planted tank.

I currently have a 6.5L aquarium. I had it for my beta, but he died a month ago and I'm ready to get something in there so I don't keep looking for him. Right now it has: gravel substrate, fake plants, 2 ottos, 2 amano shrimp, 1 ghost shrimp.

So my plan is to transfer over my current filter media and current substrate (with some flourite or eco complete underneath) into the new tank, along with a good bit of water from the old tank, since all of this is already established.

I would then like to add some new additions. I originally really wanted some glass cats, but I'm not convinced they will have the space they need to be happy... so the dream will have to live on.

I'm thinking I'll take my current:

2 ottos
2 amano shrimp
1 ghost shrimp.

and add:

8 Harlequin Rasboras
4 Panda Cats
1 or 2 Bolivian Rams or Pearl Gouramis

What do you think of the stocking? Any thoughts on which centerpiece fish would be better: Bolivian Ram or Pearl Gouramis? Should I keep 1 or 2? Or do you have a different fish to suggest? I'm all ears.

Big thanks in advanced! I really appreciate it.
 
How many gallons is that? Less then 5?
 
Oh geez, I didn't put anything about the new tank. What a dufus I am.

The new tank is a 20 gallon long. It's 30" long, same length as a 29 gallon.

The old tank is a 6.5 gallon long, it's the length of a 10 gallon.

(Im guessing there isn't a way of editing my initial post to include that?)
 
Either will work. I like both. The bolivian rams are more active and smaller than the pearl gouramis, though, so I'd go with them myself (I'm in a smaller fish mode these days - just bought 6 harlequin rasboras to go in with my pair of spike tailed paradise fish).

That said, a 20 long is fine for a pair of pearl gouramis if you prefer them.

Eric
 
Are both pretty... amicable? I really want to avoid any fish that might end up fussing at the other smaller fish. My tank shall be peaceful, I declare it so! :)
 
Bolivian rams are a bit more forgiving with water conditions as well, and are just as fun to own as GBR's, even more personality sometimes. Although you can't just add 2 and have 'a pair'...One by itself is just fine as well, and leaves a little room for another cool fish along with the cleaning crew. My vote for schooling fish is rummynose tetras, just incredible fish, even my 6 school as one, and I have had zero issues with them for months even at 7.6ph. In a 20L, 8-10 would be awesome! They stay VERY tight except when in a feeding frenzy :) I would still save the smaller setup though and get another betta!

I have a couple pandas in the 15g(two others took the leap of faith a while back :( Still need to snag a third one at the LFS ). I would go with Sterbai, as they are super-duper active and beautiful(along with being one of the hardiest cory species).

I've had no issues with the rams and a Dwarf Gourami, they don't get nearly as large as standard gouramis. He does get a little grumpy though(although he can't hurt or even catch anyone if he wanted to). Then again if three male platys crash right into me at full speed bang-bang-bang when playing around, I'd be a bit grumpy too. He is a bit of a floating billboard.
 
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@kevin:
lmao, floating billboard, that is an awesome image! I was thinking of a zeppelin when i read that, haha.

Thanks for the recommendations. If I went with 1 Bolivian Ram, it would be cool to have room for one more medium sized fish. Or I suppose I could just get a few more shrimp and otto cats instead. Any other med. size fish suggestions for one more center piece?

PS the rummy nose tetra is awesome looking. I was checking him out last night. I think he would look awesome with the rasboaras too. but.. hmm... my tank--she is too small! I wouldn't know who to nix lol
 
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Bolivian rams do not get that large, only a little bigger then a GBR, smaller then a dwarf gourami (finnage excluded). You could do a dwarf gourami and some schooling fish.

Maybe:
Bolivian ram
Dwarf gourami
3-4 Sterbai cory
6-7 rummynose tetras.
2 ottos can stay.
The shrimp I probably wouldn't even figure into the bioload.

You just have to stock them slowly, none of these are fish-in cycling fish. If you go with a ram and/or tetras, wait until the tank is well established. Maybe add corries first to the otto/shrimp. Then the gourami.

Gardneri killifish(as in ONE male) are also a very pretty and interesting, hardy, low bioload fish, about the size of a zebra danio. Definitely adds zing, has a ton of personality(I swear I think mine watches TV), and is very colorful. Pretty much hangs around the top but rockets all over the place at any given moment. Fun to watch him 'stalk' wayward flake food and pull a hamburgler on any algae wafer chunks from cory. Kinda like the fish version of a ferret. Although he'll probably take out the amano in short order.
 
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I like the suggestions! I love the killifish, assuming I can get the little guy to eat hah.

Here is what I'm thinking:

1 bolivian ram
1 gardneri killifish
4 cory
8 h.rasboras or rummynose tetras
2 ottos
shrimp

Or, I find some way to switch the numbers around and get both the rasboras and the tetras lol.

PS I am planning on stocking it slowly. I was thinking of starting out with my current stock and plants. Then in week or two, adding the rasboras, week or two, adding the corys, week or three, add the bolivian ram. I do think I like the panda cory better, but I figure he should be added later when the tank is well established, rather than adding him first.
 
That sounds pretty good, but the shrimp may go bye-bye fast. Amano have a knack for disappearing on their own as well. Gardeneri have NO issues eating. Mine takes relatively massive chunks of algae wafers and runs off with them(swells up his head), bloodworms, flake, whatever. You can always get two female rams, 30" tank won't have them duking it out much if at all. But you're better off adding them at the exact same time. Gardneri are great fish, mine have never bothered anyone. They are quite curious, mine will even 'poke' cory back into play if they are just sitting around for entertainment.

Mr Killi
mrkil.jpg

Mrs Killi
mskilli.jpg

Rummynose fighter squadron
rummyss.jpg

Unfortunately I lost the gold ram, but chillin with a Sterbai
ram.jpg


Oh, and the billboard:
gourami.jpg
 
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