Advice On Stocking

[MarlinMan]

Hi guys, I haven't logged on for a while...

My tank is slowly maturing now and all my fish seem very happy!

I currently have 7 neon tetras and 6 Rosy Tetras (2 males, 4 females).

I'm looking for some advice on further stocking? I want to increase the neon numbers to 10 and then add a centre piece fish...Me and my mrs had our hearts set on a Betta but I'm not so sure now...I was advised that they'd be ok with Rosys by my LFS and members of this forum. My Rosys do tend to squabble (particulary in low light conditions), but only amongst themselves. I know every Betta is different!

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Maybe Gouramis?

We also wanted a/some bottom feeders? I had settled on Otos but can't seem to find any? Can anyone advise another bottom feeder? I was under the impression that Plecs were a no go in a 60ltr tank? Maybe some sort of small loach? Corys have been mentioned but we have gravel substrate!

 

[MarlinMan]

Would it be possible to keep some sort of dwarf cichlid in a 60ltr tank? Just thinking about keeping it all South American?

 

[Wills]

I think you might get away with a pair of dwarfs but make sure its one of the small species - some kind of Nannacara or Checkerboard Cichlid might work nice

Wills

 

[Louiseness]

You could always go for a nice small plec - bristlenose, bulldog or clown plecs will top out at about 6 inches max as far as i'm aware. Or of course, everyone always recommends cories but that's because they're adorable

 

[minnnt]

60 litre is a bit small for a poop machine like a Bristlenose imo... You would need adequate filtration for one of these.

 

[MarlinMan]

60 litre is a bit small for a poop machine like a Bristlenose imo... You would need adequate filtration for one of these.

This is what I've been told! Beside Plecs don't do that much for me...

Anyone know anything about loach species that may suit?

 

[minnnt]

If you have sand then this would be better loaches. Maybe Kuhli Loaches but unsure if 60 litres would be big enough and these need to be in groups.

 

[MarlinMan]

If you have sand then this would be better loaches. Maybe Kuhli Loaches but unsure if 60 litres would be big enough and these need to be in groups.

I have gravel unfortunately! Starting to wish I had sand though as the gravel seems to be quite a limiting factor!

Still liking the idea of the cichlids as a centre piece...although not keen on the checkerboard (the mrs wants more colour)! Would a couple of Cockatoo dwarfs (Apistogramma cacatuoides) be too big for a 60 litre tank? Dimensions are W60xD30xH35cm...

Also like the look of the Bolivian Rams but not sure whats what with them!

The only think putting me off the cichlids is where they tend to hang in the tank! They all look like proper little characters though!

 

[minnnt]

A[isto's would probably be ok mate... I am loving my Anomalochromis Thomasi at the minute!

 

[MarlinMan]

A[isto's would probably be ok mate... I am loving my Anomalochromis Thomasi at the minute!

Thanks minnnt!

My partner is liking the idea of the cockatoos...she wants plenty of colour?

Do you know much about Rams?

Also as far as cichlids go...is their a prefer arrangement in the tank regarding caves etc? We have no caves as such but abit of cover and a few ornanments...I'm not too keen on the artificial plants tbh and am slowly swapping them for real plants! I have removed one from the back right hand corner and plan on planting either amazon sword or java fern there to hide the heater abit this week! Like I said though, she likes her bright colours and insists that the plastic blue thing stays!

Heres a pic:...Sorry not the best quality...:

 

[minnnt]

Not much knowledge of rams as i have never had them. German Blue Rams require a higher temperature than most community fish and are very particular about their water parameters. Bolivian Rams would be a better option but aren't as colourful as the GBR's. I would stick with your Apisto choice personally. Not much beats the cacatuoides. Also try and research the apisto aggasizi flame variant, very colourful indeed.

 

[MarlinMan]

Not much knowledge of rams as i have never had them. German Blue Rams require a higher temperature than most community fish and are very particular about their water parameters. Bolivian Rams would be a better option but aren't as colourful as the GBR's. I would stick with your Apisto choice personally. Not much beats the cacatuoides. Also try and research the apisto aggasizi flame variant, very colourful indeed.

Thanks again minnnt! I just googled the aggasizi and like the look of them!

I presume a pair rather than a trio would be best suited due to the size of my tank?

 

[minnnt]

Yeah i would say so. Two females probably wouldn't have the space they need for their seperate territories if and when breeding.

 

[MarlinMan]

Ok thanks minnnt...will have to have a look around...see what the lfs' have!

 

[minnnt]

No problem mate. Borelli is also a nice apisto.