48X18X18" (255Litres/67Us Gal/56Imp Gal)....ready To Add Fish

[y2blade]

I am happy that my tank is now ready for it's first fish (FYI I have been using established filter media from my othertank in this new one since it was set-up)
levels are all good

I'll be putting my Pleco in tonight, then off to my LFS to pick-up the following (although still open to all suggestions)

1 Angel fish
2 or 4 Rams (what do you think?)
2 Keyholes
some ditherfish (probably Congo Tetras but undecided)
a few corys

 

[Proxo]

Here check out this topic (click here) it might give you some ideas.

 

[y2blade]

thanks

I'm on that thread already

 

[fluttermoth]

I think that sounds like a very nice stocking; I have a 48x12x18 that's got one angel, six emperor (I got them as my mum's were breeding; I don't really like them that much, lol), six Congo tetra and some CX021 cories and it's a very nice tank and works very well.

I'd get 1 male and 2 female rams; even in a tank that size they are quite territorial. I've never kept keyholes, so I can't comment on them; I would have thought they'd be fine though.

Oh, one point; do you have a sand substrate? Personally I consider sand essential for cories and very highly recommend for rams too.

 

[KittyKat]

That is nice stocking indeed, although I would prefer a taller tank for angels.

Bolivian rams? I would get 6 each of Bolivian rams and 6 young keyholes, then sell off 4 of each to get two nice pairs.. otherwise, I would try to get a "paired up" pair right from the shop.

Recommend at least 10-15 Corys of one species.

As fluttermoth said, sand will benefit Corys and rams quite a lot!

 

[fluttermoth]

That is nice stocking indeed, although I would prefer a taller tank for angels.

I know; I was always told 18" for angels, but mine's a veiltail and even though he's only three inches in length (he's less than a year old) I'm already worrying it's not going to be deep enough...

 

[y2blade]

Bolivian rams? I would get 6 each of Bolivian rams and 6 young keyholes, then sell off 4 of each to get two nice pairs.. otherwise, I would try to get a "paired up" pair right from the shop.

I like the sound of that

silly question time
If I can't get a "paired-up" pair from the shop, will the Rams that don't pair hassle each other?

or do I go one male and two female as per other poster's recommendation

I've not had these before

 

[KittyKat]

Bolivian rams? I would get 6 each of Bolivian rams and 6 young keyholes, then sell off 4 of each to get two nice pairs.. otherwise, I would try to get a "paired up" pair right from the shop.

If I can't get a "paired-up" pair from the shop, will the Rams that don't pair hassle each other?

They might.. or they might not, no way to tell. I have always found that pairs which pick their own partners are happier fish than pairs which don't have a choice of partner.

or do I go one male and two female as per other poster's recommendation

Rams are pair fish, not harem fish so a trio might not work because the pair may turn on the one.

 

[ZoddyZod]

(sets thread to 'watched')

 

[y2blade]

Bolivian rams? I would get 6 each of Bolivian rams and 6 young keyholes, then sell off 4 of each to get two nice pairs.. otherwise, I would try to get a "paired up" pair right from the shop.

If I can't get a "paired-up" pair from the shop, will the Rams that don't pair hassle each other?

They might.. or they might not, no way to tell. I have always found that pairs which pick their own partners are happier fish than pairs which don't have a choice of partner.

or do I go one male and two female as per other poster's recommendation

Rams are pair fish, not harem fish so a trio might not work because the pair may turn on the one.

got ya thanks

I'll watch them in the fish shop for a good while (as you do) before I pick mine out and try and get a pair


edit to add....Pleco is in the new tank now

 

[y2blade]

Update: I went for

pre-paired pair of Rams
1 small Angel fish (it is smaller than the Rams)
6 platys (2 male 4 female)


I'm very happy with the few I got, bearing in mind I want to keep a happy tank

I think it looks fantastic with some colour in it at last


will take some pictures and post them up once they have all settled in

 

[y2blade]

 

[KittyKat]

The fish on the right in the first photo is a very skinny blue ram male, the fish on the left is a Bolivian ram.

 

[minnnt]

Aren't rams earth movers? They're going to struggle with moving them 'boulders' you have as substrate.

 

[y2blade]

The fish on the right in the first photo is a very skinny blue ram male, the fish on the left is a Bolivian ram.

they were the only two in the tank and were marked up as a pair..will this be a problem?..they seem happy enough and are hanging around together