50G Planted

[ChilliPepper]

In my 50g currently I have a Keyhole, a Bolivian Ram, 4 Khuli loaches and a Para Pleco. I want to get some schooling fish to go with them, not decided what yet though. Cost is a big factor.

How does this sound:

1 x Keyhole
1 x Ram
1 x Plec
5 x Khuli loaches
8 x dither fish (small rainbows or hardy tetras)
1 x Koi Angel

Going to plant it up a little again. Basically want a complete opposite to my large tank.

Want a nice colourful school of fish to give the tank movement. My cichlids at the moment stay hidden mostly at the moment as there aren't enough fish in there.

Ideas for fish at the moment are Praecox rainbows, Bleeding heart and Congo tetras.

 

[star4]

Been to the LFS today, the chap there was trying to pursuade me to get some Denison barbs they looked nice. Shame your not closer I have 2 koi angels I am looking to re-home.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Been to the LFS today, the chap there was trying to pursuade me to get some Denison barbs they looked nice. Shame your not closer I have 2 koi angels I am looking to re-home.

I think those barbs get a bit too big for my tank really.

Yeah, I'd have had your Kois off you if we were closer. Kois are the only Angel I really like.

 

[reignofcheese]

Your cichlids won't be active because they don't really have much to do. I would choose rams or keyholes and get a pair going and also pair up the Angel - most of their activity and character relies on their social nature.

I'm not familiar with those barbs, but I know most barbs are very active and would be all over the place. I don't know if this would annoy your cichlids or not, but I would suspect it as a possibility. Rasboras are worth looking at too. If you end up with a smaller type I would get a bigger school though, your tank is a nice size and a real school has a much nicer impact on a larger tank.

-- I think any of those ones you listed would work just fine, congo's are lovely fish, get pretty big too. My preference for planted communities is smaller fish, so I can have bigger schools for greater impact - I'd do something like 15 harlequin rasboras.

 

[england]

Have a look into ticto barbs, they once settled usually within 24hrs, have stunning colouration, i brought a small group of these,have just given them to my sister with 2 angels,2 colombian tetra's until we can source some more and a reed fish/halfbanded eel..

 

[ChilliPepper]

TBH I think barbs are a no as I had some Rosy's who ruined my old planted tank. I'd just got it looking great and wanted some yellow/orange fish to compliment it, but they ruined it. They've put me off barbs really.

My Keyhole and Ram and definitely both male. Not sure I could get any guaranteed females though.

 

[england]

Hmm see iam the opposite,i love barbs

Have you thought about something like pencil fish<Nannostomus rubrocaudalatus> or colombian tetra?

 

[reignofcheese]

Keyholes are a little more difficult to pair up, but Ram females look entirely different and are easy to sex, and since they are not picky about mates just adding a female usually works to make a pair. For the keyhole, if you wanted a pair, you can add two more and hope a pair forums out of the trio. just a thought anyway- I've been a into cichlids a long time and they are leaps and bounds more rewarding that way.

 

[karin]

Just for comparison, I have a 60 gallon with one keyhole, pair of bolivian rams, pair of caratuoides apistos, pair of angels, 7 congo tetras (which I love), a bn and 4 corys. I think I still have some shrimp but I do believe the keyhole, who is new, is snacking. I am about 50% planted? Maybe 40%. Aside from battling ich at the moment, all is well.

And just to add, not certain I agree that bolivian rams are easy to sex, I think they are difficult but I did get lucky getting two and now having a spawning pair.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Thanks everyone.

Nelly - Columbians are a no Had them before, and they are great fish but prone to a cotton-wool type fungal growth. Not sure if I just got a bad batch or what, but hideous to watch them go downhill and had to get OH to euthanise
I do like barbs, and if there was some suitable big ones to go in my large tank with no plants, I'd probably get some. Think Tinfoils are just too big considering my dimensions.

Reignofcheese - how do you sex juvi Bolivians? My male whom I've had over a year, is only just getting flowing fins and they usually have very small ones in the lfs so not easy to tell.
My Keyhole is quite big so won't get another. Will try getting a female Ram though.

Karin - thanks, that is interesting though sorry to hear you have an outbreak of ich. I like the Congos, they look a bit poo in the shops, but then so do most Rams. Lovely when they are settled in your tank.