5 replies to this topic

[Chaissony]

Hi all, we just bought a 36 Gallon Bowfront Aquarium. We are letting it run its cycle and don't have fish yet, but when we are prepared to buy some, we need ideas. We're thinking a school each of tetras and possibly Platys, Guppies, etc. We're also thinking of 1 or 2 larger fish (Something like a Betta, but not actually a Betta. Just something large, that will stand out in context).
I also need your opinions on Shrimp. We might add a few Ghost Shrimp. Your takes?

We were thinking 6-10 Tetras (Most probably Neon)
5 Zebra Danios
3 Assorted Guppies or Platys
2 Dwarf Chiclids
Some Ghost Shrimp (or any shrimp)
1-2 Algae Eaters.

We're trying to keep aggression low, would be the main goal.

Edited by Chaissony, 02 September 2012 - 12:21 AM.

[Blitz]

I don't recommend adding any algae eaters, such as plecos; even a bristolnose. If I were you, and I got 5 danios, then I wouldn't get an algae eater. BUT, if I didn't get the danios, I'd get a bristlenose or a school of 4 otos. It seems like a good combination, but about the shrimp... the ghost shrimp seem to not live long, from what I've heard. I've get about 12 amano or cherry shrimp. Those might last longer. I also don't recommend both the school of danios AND the neon tetras. It's one or the other, I must say. The danios need lots of space to themselves. They're speedy swimmers and need lots of room to swim around. Therefore, I say to just get the

-8 neon tetras
-3 assorted male (males stay a bit smaller than females) OR 2-3 platies
-2 dwarf cichlids(Which ones? German or Bolivian rams? If your tank is big enough for the rams to have their space, it'll be fine and everyone should be happy. If not, the rams will become agressive. From what I've heard, some Germans can be snappy at others if too crowded.)
-12 amano or cherry shrimp. Or instead a school of 6 cories.(I recommend the pygmies, such as the speckleds)
-As for the algae eaters, I recommend 4 otos. They're pretty peaceful fish.

~Good Luck.

PS welcome to the forum!

[Blitz]

OR, if you don't want the otos, you can also get clown plecos,emperor or zebra plecos. Although they only reach the size of about 2-3 inches, the oto is probably the cheepest and is only 2 inches big. The zebras and cute and all, but may be expensive.
Picture one is a zebra pleco, and picture two is an Emperor pleco.
[attachment=67911:imagesCAY5J999.jpg]
[attachment=67912:imagesCAWIJ8Q2.jpg]

[Gvilleguy]

I have kept danios (both Zebra and Glofish) with Neons for years, as well as with Glowlight Tetras. Never had any trouble. The tetras do not slow down the danios as they zip around on their rounds of the tank.

As for Dwarf Cichlids in a new (non-mature) tank, I would have to recommend Bolivian Rams. I highly suggest you do NOT get German Blue Rams, as they are less tolerant of swings in water quality. Bolivians will be much more forgiving of issues in your new tank.

So I think your list looks pretty good, but I don't have experience with shrimp, and only just added a young Bristlenose Pleco to my stock about one month ago. So far he is doing great.

Good luck with everything. Please read over the link in my signature for the "do and do not" list for your cycling.

[walkers101]

OR, if you don't want the otos, you can also get clown plecos,emperor or zebra plecos. Although they only reach the size of about 2-3 inches, the oto is probably the cheepest and is only 2 inches big. The zebras and cute and all, but may be expensive.
Picture one is a zebra pleco, and picture two is an Emperor pleco.
[attachment=67911:imagesCAY5J999.jpg]
[attachment=67912:imagesCAWIJ8Q2.jpg]

Your advising to add Oto's to a new setup? may i ask why

i strongly advise not to add oto's to a new set up as there is no build up of algae and they tend to die very quickly in new set ups

[Blitz]

I didn't mean to add them right away...