Stocking question

T

TerenceBoyle

AC Members
Sep 21, 2007
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Hello,

I am getting ready to stock my first freshwater, planted tank. Its a tall 40 gallon tank (30x24x12). I plan to have the following fish, and was hoping to get some advice on the mix and quantity:

- 6 Corydoras (these will cycle the tank)

- 2 Veiled Angelfish (would like to do 3, but I have been told that I should only have 2 in case they pair off and get territorial)

- 3 Swordtails (2 female / 1 male)

- 4 Fancy Guppies (2 pair)

- 1 Ancistrus Bristlenose

I would have liked to have a single male betta but have been told it won't get along with the angels.

I am also thinking about swapping out either the guppies of the swordtails for either some: rainbows (6 thread fin or a 4 dwarf neon) or platies or dwarf gouramis (maybe swapping a pair of guppies for a pair of one of these to add one more species to the tank)

Any thoughts / Advice?

Thanks very much. I have been learning a lot from the site and having a great time.
 
Good chance the angels when full grown will eat, or harrass the guppies. I do have a female betta, that is quite pretty and just as colorful as males I've seen, just shorter fins, in with 1 angelfish and they co-exist fine. I'd cycle with the swordtails (or platies if you get them) instead of the cories, but I don't have any experience with cories and just know that platies are extremely hardy.
 
I wouldn't personally cycle with the cories (or any fish, why not fishless?). Neither the betta or gourami will be compatible with angels from what I've seen. I've not kept rainbows yet, but from what I've read they like longer tanks. Sounds like a cool tank. Good luck and welcome to AC!
 
Guppies will do better if you keep a ratio of 1 male / 3 females. Males are always chasing females around, if he's always chasing after the same female, he will drive her to exhaustion
 
I would not put threadfins in- they are a fairly timid fish and wont compete with the other inhabitants for food very well.

The angels will keep sword and guppy fry in check.

Do not cycle the tank with corys- they will likely die or for sure suffer. If you must use fish then try the swords for cycling, But I would urge you to consider doing a fishless cycle and fully stocking the tank when its done.

If you are going fishy cycling then after the swords add the gups. The add the corys in two batches. Depending on the size, angels next and then pleco unless its small. Plecos are all poop machines.
 
Thanks very much for all the replies. I think I will try the fishless cycling that everyone recommends it seems pretty straightforward and certainly better for the fish.

After hearing the different comments I think I'll stick to with the orginal stokcing sceme and try and make sure I have the guppies balanced as suggested.

Thank you!
 
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