48Ltr Stocking Worries

[willowstwin]

Ok, so, I have my school of neon tetras and aimed to add some shrimp and a dwarf gourami once the tank had established a bit more.. however, after reading in the gourami forums and all the bacterial problems dwarf gouramis are susceptible to, I'm a little apprehensive about getting one.

I know most people go for a tank set up of a school and a "trophy" bigger fish, but I can't find a larger fish that I could put in my size tank that won't terrorise the shrimp and/or tetras.

So I was thinking of 2 schools, my tetras and either some red phantom tetras or some galaxy rasboras.

Unless anyone else can suggest a different larger fish that would do well with neons and shrimp, and not be affected by the size of my tank...

 

[Dutsey]

I have both Red Phantom tetra's and Galaxy Rasboras and they are both wonderful fish.

The Rasbora's are alot more active than I thought they would be.

Honey Gourami maybe better than Dwarf.

 

[fluttermoth]

I think the two school idea can work great; I have neons and marbled hatchets in my bedroom tank and it looks brill, and I haven't really got any 'trophy' fish in there; with them, just a royal whiptail, a couple of BNs and a small group of glass cats; I suppose my ram would count, but my tanks obviously bigger than yours!

 

[soybean]

If you get a dwarf gourami from a reputable lfs that has been in stock for a couple of weeks (to allow ill/weak stock to die off) there's no reason to assume it will have bacterial problems.

The three Maidenhead Aquatics near me always have really good healthy dwarfs, I got mine from one and he's great, really inquisitive and active, no health problems.

 

[willowstwin]

I guess I just worry. I may go for the galaxy rasboras, seeing as they're active, and go with the school idea. Then, when I finally move into my new place, I can see about a bigger tank for the living room, and stock with all the fish I wish I could have in this one

So, 7 neon tetras, 7 galaxy rasboras, and some cherry shrimp (choosing cherries because I have black substrate so should prove for some pretty deep colouring).. That's not overstocking is it?

 

[Dutsey]

That will be fine as all 3 species you selected have a low bioload.