Stocking New 40 Gallon

J

jgavlock

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Dec 20, 2006
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I am currently cycling my new 40 gallon tank that I got from my brother-in-law (for free!). Now I want to start figuring out some possible ideas for stocking.

These are the three centerpiece fish that I am debating between; Angels, P. Saulosi, or German Blue Rams. I just don't know how many of each fish would be too many (two of each?) Also, what are some attractive schooling fish that would co-exist well with each of these fish. I want my fish to be happy, that's the first and most important goal.

Also, I plan on adding a good school of cory's to work as my cleanup crew.

Thanks in advance for all of the help!
 
If you decide on the angel tank, you can go ahead and add the rams. Angels and rams generally won't bother each other and it would certainly be a nice display. I'd start with 4 juvenile angels and try to get a pair, then find a new home for the other 2. Neons shouldn't be kept with angels, but there are lots of other tetra species that make great dithers for them. Lemon, pristella, Von Rio, black phantom, rummynose, etc. would all be good choices. I'd choose one species and get 10, or possibly 2 species, 6 and 6. Praecox rainbows would be nice too if you like those more instead of tetras. 5-6 Panda corys (or other small species) would finish up your stocking. These fish would be happiest with lots of plant cover, whether real or fake.

If you choose ps. saulosi, I would recommend a species tank, or a colony with a couple of smaller synodontis for bottom feeders- synodontis multipunctatus maybe? I wouldn't bother with dithers, as I think they will look out of place with the saulosi, not to mention the tank would be very active even without them. For a 40 gallon, I think a ratio of 3m/9f would work fine with the synos. These fish will appreciate a ton of rock work/caves. Hope this is helpful. :)
 
Thanks for all the advice!

I really like that idea, would this list be acceptable:

3x Angelfish
2x German Blue Ram
6x Rummy Nose Tetra
6x Red Eye Tetra
5x Panda Corydora
 
jgavlock said:
Thanks for all the advice!

I really like that idea, would this list be acceptable:

3x Angelfish
2x German Blue Ram
6x Rummy Nose Tetra
6x Red Eye Tetra
5x Panda Corydora
Click to expand...

Seems like a lot of fish to me. I would eliminate one school of tetras. Just my opinion.
 
Ya just put your current tetras and platys in it and add on to them for the schooling fish
 
Just my opinion, but I find it highly unlikely that you will be able to keep 3 adult angels together in a 40. Either you'll get a pair, and the outsider will be constantly harrassed, or you won't get a pair, and they will all fight with each other. Angels look peaceful, but they can be surprisingly intolerant of conspecifics. Shoot for a pair and just keep the pair, or if you're less lucky, you may have to keep just one angel as your centerpiece fish if a pair doesn't form. Red eye tetras grow larger than the species I mentioned; I think you could keep 8-9 without the rummynose, and with the corys and rams you'd be stocked. :)
 
I agree with Severum Mama regarding the Angelfish. Before my 90, I had two Angelfish in a 37 tall. When I got the 90, I went out and bought one more angel. Unfortunately, the newcomer became the dominant Angel and harassed the others (in particular one) until he died. Now that the third angel is gone, the two remaining ones get along just fine.

If you choose Angels as your center piece fish - I agree with Severum Mama, two is your limit.
 
Revised:

2x Angels
2x German Blue Ram
8x Rummy Nose Tetra
5x Panda Corydoras

Can't wait to get this up and running. I've been waiting a long time for a tank like this!
 
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That sounds great. Have you ever kept rummynose tetras before? Just a heads-up, they are one of the more difficult species of tetras to keep; but also one of the most beautiful due to their tight schooling patterns as well as their coloration. :)
 
I haven't kept them before but I am willing to give it a shot. I want to have a group of fish that remain in a tight school, which is why they seem so attractive to me. They are quite pretty, too!
 
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