48 Gallon (us) Stocking Ok?

[Callum]

okies ive bought and am getting a new 48 gallon (us) , 180 litres and i will be getting it in a few weeks time. In the new tank i would like the following fish but i want to check them here first

6 albino cories
6 panda cories
5 platies
8 harlequins
2 bristlenose plecs male + female pair
2 keyhole cichilds male + female pair

In total 177cm of fish would this be ok to stock i will have also have fake plants, some assorted rock and some flat rock for the keyholes. also how do you pronounce cichilds? ki shilds or chich ilds?

btw the tank is a rena panorama 100 so its 101 (l) x 51 (w) x 55 (h) and its a bowfront

 

[trace1]

think the other fish sound fine together but cichlids need a species (sp) tank as they can be very aggressive so pretty sure the keyholes wouldn't do well in there

 

[Callum]

i read that keyholes where supposed to be very peacefull and timid not like angels or African cichilds which are aggressive buggers but can be a bit terrotorial like rams but hardier.

 

[MegTheFish]

think the other fish sound fine together but cichlids need a species (sp) tank as they can be very aggressive so pretty sure the keyholes wouldn't do well in there

Actually no, not all cichlids need to be kept in a species tank. Dwarf cichlids, angels, and keyholes can live fine with other fish (just to name a few). I think that tank would work out but I know little about keyholes so wait for someone elses advice.

 

[Callum]

i was thinking of bolivian rams instead of keyholes but will they be ok with a ph of 7 and a medium hardness also this is a revised possible setup after a visit to the LFS

6 harlequins
1 bristlenose
3 chain loach
5 albino cory
5 panda cory
6 blue rainbows
4 platties
2 bolivian rams male and female breeding pair

 

[Griz]

think the other fish sound fine together but cichlids need a species (sp) tank as they can be very aggressive so pretty sure the keyholes wouldn't do well in there

What are you basing this advice on?

Flame, have a look here for correct information on keyholes: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=65964
Rams are another cichlid that does well in a community setup. A pH of 7.0 is spot on for them. Apistogramma are another option for a community cichlid.

 

[Callum]

thanks for the advice Griz but i decided i pfefer rams they look nicer and there smaller i went to the lfs and saw some and i take it the setup looks good also i know i may be pushing it with a 180cm but the max is still 208 so i wont get anything else

 

[Callum]

ok am getting the tank in about a week (been delayed) and have a new stocking plan and was wondering if this would work out

8 harlequins
5 platies
1 bristlenose
5 albino cory
5 panda cory
2 Rams
2 keyholes

possibly 4 rams 0 keyholes or vice versa whichever would be best. and also do keyholes grow to 10cm ? if larger than its a no

 

[Gankutsuou]

I never educated myself on keyholes.

go with the rams and it sounds fine. So long as you know what you're doing with keyholes, that sounds fine too

 

[trace1]

think the other fish sound fine together but cichlids need a species (sp) tank as they can be very aggressive so pretty sure the keyholes wouldn't do well in there

What are you basing this advice on?

Flame, have a look here for correct information on keyholes: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=65964
Rams are another cichlid that does well in a community setup. A pH of 7.0 is spot on for them. Apistogramma are another option for a community cichlid.

well of course lfs. i remember once wanting some but was told they would need species tank.
so sorry for being wrong but we are not all perfect

 

[xJake]

If you get 4 rams there is a greater chance they could pair off and mate which can be great fun. Also, platies like harder water so if you really wanted to go with a livebearer I would go with guppies as the rest of your fish prefer a neutral to slightly acidic pH and guppies can live in most pH's from 5.5-8.0.

 

[nadajdui]

I love keyholes myself. I just got one a few days ago. They aren't very common around here, but so far he's been a little darling. I loooove his cute little face.
I would go for the keyholes, but it's up to you.

 

[Callum]

i was worried about bolivian rams i know there supposed to be fairly hardy but my water is quite hard

 

[Beemeeup]

i have a dvd with pictures of cichlids and the name is pronounced "siclids".

 

[SPLiSH]

Sounds good, keyholes are very peaceful, timid and bordering on reclusive in some tanks. Rams can do fine in hard water, with proper acclimatisation.

Very similar stocking to a 60gal I am setting up soon, tell me how it goes. I am going with bolivian rams.