60Ltr Tank Stocking

[goldie88]

I'm in the process of setting up my 60ltr tank again and was just wondering if its ok to keep a bristlenose catfish with a few guppies in this size tank? My book says they don't grow to more than 12-15cm is this ture?
If the catfish is not a good idea, then will cherry barbs live peacefully alongside guppies or am I better of choosing something like neon tetras to go in my tank?
Advice is much appreicated

 

[Jimbo1984]

A single Bristlenose would be OK in there I think, my eldest must be 5 and a half years and he's about that size. Just make sure you over-filter as they produce an amazing amount of waste! If you live anywhere near Chester, I've literally got hundreds of the little buggers. I had to take the female out who ironically is now in a 60L tank. Which tank do you have, the Tetra AquaArt 60L? Barbs are nippy I believe so will probably have a go at the guppies tails.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

BN Catfish would place too much demand on a typical 60l filtration system, you could possibly do it with a good external filter (600-1000lph), which will give a strong current that the BN will love but will limit your tankmate choices (definitely not guppies, ~8 WCMM could work though). Even then, you would need to do at least too good sized weekly water changes (~50%) under non-emergency conditions, as BN eat like pigs and create a lot of waste that will create a lot of nitrate (which can eventually reach toxic levels and is not easy to test accurately with our liquid kits).

 

[goldie88]

Thanks for the information, I can make a better decision now.

My book didn't mention they were nippy or that they produce a lot of waste. Think I might not get one, as I already have another tank with goldfish in and I was rather hoping to have a slightly lower maintanence tank.

Again thanks for the info!

 

[OldMan47]

My 3 year old breeding bristlenose is only about 8 cm long plus his tail. I would not hesitate to house him with a few guppies in a nice small tank like that.