About To Get Fish

[Axyadbad]

Hello all,

Finally, YES!

I can get fish. Fishless cycle all finished and just topping up now with ammonia and nitrite zero-ing in 12 hours.

The tank is a 65 litre/ 17 US gallon, with dimensions of 60 x 30 x 36 cm (LxWxH)

So I'm going to get some fish on Monday and just want to be 100% sure this stocking would fine and not overstocked..or inadequate for the type of fish I want

Here is my tank...(its grown in more now):

I was thinking of 8 x rummynose tetra
3 x otto catfish
1 Triple Red Apistogramma

Thank you for reading,

Axy

 

[kylealastairlove]

pretty sweet tank you got there loving the rocks and wood

 

[Blitz]

yes, will possibly do with the stocking. Very nice stocking plan. Very pleased you aren't overstocking, unlike a bunch of others.

 

[dougie]

looks good

 

[Tuxyu3]

All looks good but I would advise against ottos at the very start, they do better in a fully mature tank.

 

[Axyadbad]

Thanks Tuxyu3, I'll wait a few months then. I do have plenty of algae for them at the minute, but I've been told that its not just lack of algae that can affect them, other microorganisms etc.



Should have asked this before, but how would you go about introducing them, which fish first and how many at once?

I also need to look at how to acclimate them!

Cheers for the replies guys!

 

[kylealastairlove]

i thought this was pretty helpful when it comes to acclimatising fish
http/freshaquarium.about.com/od/selectingfish/a/acclimate.htm

dont think its that important which particular fish you add first, but then again i might be wrong; somebody else can probably advise you better on that

 

[Axyadbad]

Cheers kyle, doesn't sound too hard from that artcle.

Can't wait

 

[Electric Warrior]

I added my apistos and bristlenose plec (have you thought about one of them?) first after my cycle, and they were fine. I don't know too much about the rummynose, but I have a shoal of 13 cardinals, and they are known for being some of the most delicate fish, especially in a new tank, and I put the in about three weeks after the first fish. Not had one fish with a problem. I would probably add the apisto and the bottom dweller first. I think the apisto might be best in a pair though.

 

[Axyadbad]

I do really like the birstlenose, but I thought they would be too big for my tank, can I just get one of them?

Also would 2 apistos not take up too much room?

I'm a total newbie to this so don't want to upset the fish

Cheers, Axy

 

[Electric Warrior]

I do really like the birstlenose, but I thought they would be too big for my tank, can I just get one of them?

Also would 2 apistos not take up too much room?

I'm a total newbie to this so don't want to upset the fish

Cheers, Axy

Right, sorry! I failed to see your tank size!! I think you will find that you tank dimensions would be the minimum suitable for a pair, depending on what you read. I have a trio in a 200L, so I wasn't really thinking about a small tank. Bristlenose grow up to about 5" max, but they can be pretty messy, so you need good filtration.

 

[Axyadbad]

hmmm, my tank is 65 litre, with an internal filter of 700 l/h. So I assume that is pretty decent but 5" seems too big for my liking

Could you recommend anything other than the apistos then, for a centre piece fish?

If I did get a pair what sex should they be?

Cheers, Axy!

 

[Electric Warrior]

Maybe someone else who is familiar with dwarf cichlids can tell you if you can keep a single apisto happily in a tank, because I am new to dwarf cichlids myself, and have always read that need pairs, trios, or harems to be kept properly. Don't know if a single one would thrive too well? And definitely a male and female for a pair only! The female is much smaller and less vividly coloured than the male.

 

[Axyadbad]

Righteo...research time haha. Although it is frustrating at times as there is a lot of conflicting info out there

I'm now officially FISH CRAZY

 

[Lockhart]

I would hold back on the Ottos for now. I usually put in a clean-up-crew of any sort a couple of weeks after the main fish go in so that the tank establishes a bit more, and gives the cleaners more of a job to do!