Another One Of The Stocking Threads

[lizjamie]

Hi,

I have a 58litre/15 UK gallon/ 12 us gallon tank. I am midway though the fishless cycle and have been trying to plan what to put in my tank based on what my lfs actually has. (goldfish bowl in oxford). They said to start wiht some zebra danios but I read here that my tank is too small and they need more space to swim??

So I had been thinking of
3 corydoras schawartzii

and then 4 of 2 types of
cherry barbs
hengli harlequins
lemon tetra
rednose tetras

I am not sure which are best compatible, if I am going to be overstocked if they grow (although i don't think they do that much, I have no space for tank up grading or babies).

I was also not sure what order ot add them (ppresumably each species at least a week apart?) and when/what plants I need to add. I currently have some large gravel over the bottom.

Thanks!

 

[Matt_northants]

If I was you I would put the Lemon Tetras in first, then your Corys, if by rednose tetras you mean rummy nose they should go in last. These should all get on fine.

 

[lizjamie]

Thanks, when should I add the plants - before or at the same time as fish? Are there any in particular to be had/avoided?

And another daft question - what should they be fed? I still have goldfish flake food from my gold fish - ok or not? And some frozen brine shrips and some freeze dried bloodworm.....

Finally was there a particular reason for not having cherry barbs/ harlequins or are the lemons and rummy noses a particularly good combo?

 

[Hollymolly4]

You can add your plants whenever you want. Mine usually do better once the tank has been established but it really doesn't matter. I'll let someone else answer the rest.
BTW...good for you for doing your own research and not listening to the guy about the danios.

 

[Matt_northants]

Thanks, when should I add the plants - before or at the same time as fish? Are there any in particular to be had/avoided?

And another daft question - what should they be fed? I still have goldfish flake food from my gold fish - ok or not? And some frozen brine shrips and some freeze dried bloodworm.....

Finally was there a particular reason for not having cherry barbs/ harlequins or are the lemons and rummy noses a particularly good combo?

I normally add plants once the water is decholrinated and upto temp ie before fish to give them a chance to mature.
The brineshrimp and bloodworm are ok to use I wouldnt use the goldfish flake though, get some tropical flake instead.
The only reason I suggested the two tetra species is that I prefer to have all my fish from the same region, however if you want you could replave the rummynoses with either the barbs or rasboras but still put the lemon tetras in first.

 

[lizjamie]

Thanks guys!

 

[rabbut]

After a fishless cycle you can add all your fish at once, unless there are some more flimsy ones in you stocking. Personal, I would wait a few weeks for the corrys, but the rest are fine to go strait in. I can't see any compatability issues with those fish that you mentioned either, so realy it would be down to personal preferance. Look when you go back to the shop, to see which ones look heathyest, and also enquire how long each have been in. Heathy ones get first choise, then the one that have been in longest, as these are less likely to be overwelmed by being moved again.

HTH
Rabbut