3's A Crowd

safire_eye · Sep 30, 2011

I would like to finalise my stocking wishlist for my 125ltr. I can facilitate around 40 inches of fish SO...

I already have 6 black neons and 4 guppies, and would also like;

6 standard neons
4 or 5 Asian Stone Catfish for the bottom (open to other suggestion of tiny bottom feeders, but they have to be tiny to stick within my allowance)
AND I would love 2 dwarf cichlids, but... do I get 2 rams, 2 apistos or 2 kribs? Anyone have any advice or experience with these lads?

minnnt · Sep 30, 2011

Kribs would be too aggressive for that tank imo. I would also stick to one kind of neon as it will have a greater effect as one big shoal rather than 2 smaller ones.

safire_eye · Sep 30, 2011

I've heard Kribs are pretty peaceful unless breeding, and if there's 2 males or 2 females they wont be breeding anyway. But thanks for the input, I'm trying to get a a range of opinions.

As for the tetras, it may well look more effective, but my OH will have my guts for garters as the tank was allowed on the proviso that we'd get some neons!

fidjet2 · Sep 30, 2011

minnnt said:
I would also stick to one kind of neon as it will have a greater effect as one big shoal rather than 2 smaller ones.

+1

swaylight · Sep 30, 2011

Why not go for some cardinal tetra's? slightly bigger and a tad more colourful.

Or you could go with some zebra danio's although they are very lively fish.

If your going for some rams, get electric blue ones, they look so cool, but not sure if they can go in your tank. I just like the look of them.

End of the day it's your tank, so go with what you feel.

micko · Sep 30, 2011

fidjet2 said:
minnnt said:

I would also stick to one kind of neon as it will have a greater effect as one big shoal rather than 2 smaller ones.

Click to expand...

+1

+2

minnnt · Sep 30, 2011

Kribensis can be very territorial even when not breeding as they're expecting a member of the other sex to just pass by so like to have an area to call their own. 2 males will more than likely fight for this reason and 2 females may fight too... Alot of it does depend on the personality of the fish though. So you could drop lucky or you could get the son/daughter of satan!!

Rams are usually less aggressive... But usually are suited better to higher temperatures which may not suit your other fish. Something around 26 would probably be a happy medium if all the fish are acclimatised properly. Rams are also very sensitive to water condition changes. Bolivians would possibly be a better option.

Are you dead set on Cichlids? Honey Gourami's make for excellent centrepiece fish.

safire_eye · Oct 1, 2011

Lol thanks for the heads up. Don't wanna chance it really. I do really like the cichlids, but tbh I'm just after a couple of decent sized fish (about 4 inches) cus the rest are going to be pretty small. Hadn't really considered any gouramis. Is there a lot of variety? And can they be kept in pairs? I'm assuming theyr a similar size aswell?

minnnt · Oct 1, 2011

Honey gourami won't reach 4" so probably the wrong choice. 3 spot will though.

creeker · Oct 1, 2011

minnnt said:
Honey gourami won't reach 4" so probably the wrong choice. 3 spot will though.

3 spots could be tough on the tetras. I would go with Pearl (I believe you may call them Lace in the U.K.) Gourami. Get about five inches long, have nice color, and are peaceful.

N0body Of The Goat · Oct 1, 2011

Asian Stone Catfish (Hara jerdoni) need cooler water (ideally <20C most of year) than your existing Black Neon Tetra and Guppies, so are not suitable. If you are looking for a small peaceful catfish group, Microsynodontis (African Bumblebee Catfish) would work, but under no cicumstances would I mix these species with any cichlids, they would be easily bullied away from food.

As others have siad, increasing the size of your black Neon group will make them act more naturally and look amazing for you to watch.

I would only consider a pair or trio hareem of dwarf cichlids for this setup if you are ruling out any other bottom dwellers, perhaps Keyholes or Cockatoos, who would get reassurance of safety from the Guppies and Black Neons.

minnnt · Oct 2, 2011

Pearl Gourami's are ok, but i found them to be boring...

3 Spot's have a lot more character from my experience and were fine with my small tetra's. I guess it depends on the temperament of the fish again though as with alot of fish.

Mybbygotsauz · Oct 2, 2011

If your going for dwarf cichlids,
i recommend german blue rams, extremely beautiful

safire_eye · Oct 2, 2011

As I understood it, up to 24c is acceptable for asian stones and this is what my tank is running at. Again though, I'm open to suggestions of small bottom feeders. Bumblebees will be a tad to big.

As for the centrepieces... well I'm thoroughly confused! Lots of conflicting information. Is there a general consensus on 2 relatively peaceful 4"(ish) mid-bottom dwelling fish that would work in this setup? Decided I'm not fussed about the genus.