This Sound Reasonable?

[Captain Hook]

To me this seems like a good fish load for a 72 gallon bowfront but I wouldn't mind hearing some opinions on my plan. The tank will have good filtration, AC 300 and fluval 404. It will also be heavily planted.

1 - featherfin syno
1 - albino rainbow shark
2 - albino bristlenose plecos (stay small)
2 - kribs (pair)
6 - rainbowfish (3 ornate and 3 australian, max size about 4")
6 - rosy barbs
3 - angelfish

 

[aquariumfishguy]

Angelfish should be in pairs... so 2, 4, 6... any pair combination you can think of would work well. I'm not sure I'd keep just 3.

 

[vato]

Well you most certainly aren't over stocking it. The only suggestion I have would be to either take out the angels or take out the rosy barbs, they are very good community fish, but become more pesky when they are in schools. The more you have the more mischief they seem to get into. The reason I don't think it is a good idea to kep it with angels is that they have very long finnage and most fish have a hard time resisting nipping at them. It's something to think about, although it may not be too much of a problem in a tank of your size. aquariumfishguy said that angels like to be in pairs and I have found this to be true, as long as it is a male female pair. Otherwise,three isn't a bad number. if two pair off though, it may be best to either get rid of the other or buy an new companion for your lonely angel.

 

[Captain Hook]

Thanks for the opinions so far. I've heard that angels are tough to sex so how would I try and get 2 pairs? Would they get aggressive toward other fish in the tank if the angels start to pair and mate?

 

[vato]

yeah, angels are almost impossible to sex before they pair off and start coming into breeding form. Angels are slightly territorial and might chase other tank mates out of their area when not mating, but when mating is another story altogether. They become super aggressive to any fish regradless of size when they come close to the nesting area or eggs. The only thing is I really doubt that they will mate in an community tank, they usually need their own tank for that. I have never been able to get angels to breed in a community tank no matter the size, so I don't think it is an issue, but the fish will generally still pair off.