30 Gallon Stocking?

[Fish Guy]

I have a cold water tank that has been set up for over a year now with 14 Rosey Red Minnows in there. I bought them because I was always interested in how they bred similiar to cichlids, plus they are actually nice looking when they are healthy. They get fed lots, flakes and a variety of frozen foods. The happiest feeders I know. But I was planning on adding some other fish just to change it up a bit. I was leaning towards getting a trio of Paradise fish. Maybe two blues and one albino. And of course just one male. Also I seen a Hillstream loach I may pick up for the tank. I was just wondering what people thought of this idea or stock, or if anyone had any other ideas.

Thanks.

 

[Fish Guy]

Nothing?

 

[ninjaseal]

maybe a nice gourami as a centerpiece and some barbs

 

[Fish Guy]

The tank isn't heated, I already have a heated community tank, so I was just thinking about having a cold water community tank.

 

[meguro]

hillstream loaches are supposed to be quite difficult if you dont attempt to simulate their natural environment (ie. a river/stream biotope with fast flow, high dissolved oxygen and a temperature around 16-22C). i think u also need to have a fair amount of algae for them to eat too rather than just relying on flakes/tubifex/bloodworm

paradise fish are slow feeders so they might not get any food having to compete against 14 minnows

 

[NinjaSmurf]

I'd be more worried about the paradise fish chasing the rosie reds. I had one once with some platies, not so hot... although rosies swim a lot faster...

 

[Fish Guy]

I got a pair of Blue Paradise fish afterwards. They seem to be doing well, I guess I will see how they do once they get settled in, in terms of feeding and aggression. There is a good bit of algea in the tank becuase what I usually do with tanks of mine that I have algea eaters in; I dont clean the back glass, as you cant notice the algae because of the background and then the algae eater usually ottos wont starve. But keep an eye out for the Hillstream loaches in the LFS and do some more research on them. I have two Aqua Clear 200 ( 50 ) HOB filter, so there is a good bit of flow in the tank, as the minnows tend to enjoy.