425l Tank

[Nick16]

hi, i might get a 5ft 60x24x18 tank. its 425l. i would like some stocking ideas. i would like a pair of keyholes as i adore these fish! i dont want any other cichlids tho. i have only ever owned tanks no bigger than 120l so im in uncharted territory atm!

 

[aaronnorth]

altums,
discus,
massive shoals of fish - tetras, rasboras?

 

[ikongoni]

You could have a fantastic collection of plecos......

 

[Nick16]

i already have 2 clown plecs and would consider getting a BN. but i dont want an agressive tank. something like large tetras, keyholes, etc

 

[minxfishy]

Rainbows, boesmani, lake katubu, praecox, big shoals - stunning, peaceful colourful fish.

 

[Nick16]

i have never seen any rainbows in my lfs's!!! so what rainbows do you advise? i want to get 2 keyholes as a centerpiece, lots of cardinal tetra's, and rainbows? i have seen pics and they look nice. would got barbs nip keyholes?

 

[drobbyb]

You could have a fantastic shoal of rainbows. Either as a species tank (ie: all the same kind males and females) or as an all male community.

If you wanted to see breeding behavior the first option is best. Their colors intensify when they are breeding and it's very entertaining.

They should be fine with keyholes as the rainbows can get to 5 inches and are very fast.

There are lots available. It's best to get them from a breeder if you can. I have about 65 M. Lacustris currently. You could put 20 or more into your new tank. If you bought this many at a LFS it would cost you a fortune. Some spiecies command an even higher price.

I'm not sure what the available species would be for the UK.

 

[minxfishy]

Keyholes will be fine with rainbows, Id say boesmani because they are my favs, max out at 5" and in that size tank you could have a great shoal. Along with some cardinals would be stunning IMO.

If you cant find any, ask the LFS to get you some in, they are usually fairly easy to find, can be pricey but roughly £3 - £5 a piece (least they are round my way)

 

[Nick16]

ok, yeah, i might not even get the tank, depends on 'funds' plus i will have to get an external filter first. but i gota do my research first.

 

[drobbyb]

ok, yeah, i might not even get the tank, depends on 'funds' plus i will have to get an external filter first. but i gota do my research first.

Very smart!

 

[Nick16]

haha, well i dont want to make some big time mistakes!

 

[tenohfive]

Keyholes would be a bit small to be a centrepiece for a tank that size - thats not to say you shouldn't have them in there, just remember the tank will dwarf them.

Angels or one of the bigger gourami's would make a good centrepiece. And as already said, rainbows are great.

 

[Nick16]

cool, yeah, i want something easy to keep to start with, and inexpensive, what do you recommend as a centrepiece? i dont want discus!

 

[Truck]

20 congo tetras

 

[ALW]

Bolivian Rams!