Community Tank - Stock List

[MarkM]

Hi,

Just thought I would post a run down of what I currently have in my 23 Gallon (30"x15"x12). The plan is to eventually upgrade to a 70+ in a years time...and keep the 23 for a species tank....my current set up has a gravel substrate...couple of large fake plants for cover...a couple of rock ornament with lots of holes and hiding places...and around 10 large smooth pebbles scattered amongst the substrate....

Current fish:

6 Zebra Daino
6 Tiger Barb
1 Red Tailed Black Shark
1 Honey Gourami

I am not sure what sex my Gourami is...if he is male I really need to get a couple of females in there...if its female I need to get a male and another female...Or will the single Gourami be fine?

I have notices some bubbles appearing in the top corner of my tank...maybe its from the Gourami but he has only been in a few days so probably wont be that comfortable yet?? Any of the others the likely culprit?

All seem to get along fine...the tigers tend to bicker amongst themselves a lot...they did pester the RTBS when they first entered the tank but now they leave him alone...

Anyone have any tips on what I should stock next? Tank is fully cycled etc...I do want some more plant cover though...

 

[MarkM]

One thing I will add...my Honey Gourami is quite a bit bigger than the quoted 2" max size...I would say he was about 3" long...

 

[Larissa]

The gourami should be fine by him/her self. Keep an eye on the RTBS's size as a 23 gallon is really to small for them - it should be fine once you upgrade but you don't want to stunt it's growth. As for stocking levels, I think thats about all you can do for now untill you get the bigger tank (you can have about 23 inches of fully grown fish but might be able to exceed this if you are experienced, do weekly water changes and over filter). How long has it been up and running for? If its quite mature you might be able to get away with another group of small fish - 5 serpae tetras would be nice color wise - you just need to make sure they don't nip at your gourami as they are notorious nippers.

 

[MarkM]

Yeah...the RTBS is quite small though...only 1.5-2" so should be ok in there for a year....

The tank has now been up and running for say 3 months...its fully cycled...

I was only thinking of adding 2-3 other larger fish (Gourami's)...but now you say the Honey is ok alone...maybe I will only add 1 or 2 more larger fish as centre pieces....

Any ideas?

 

[Larissa]

If you want to add more fish I would go with small ones (like tetras) so you don't overload your filter, plus there is not alot of space in a 23gallon. I would wait till you upgrade before you add anymore larger fish - then you options will increase dramatically. Better to be safe than sorry - especially since your tank is still quite new. HTH.
-Larissa

 

[MarkM]

If you want to add more fish I would go with small ones (like tetras) so you don't overload your filter, plus there is not alot of space in a 23gallon. I would wait till you upgrade before you add anymore larger fish - then you options will increase dramatically. Better to be safe than sorry - especially since your tank is still quite new. HTH.
-Larissa

Thanks Larissa...

When I say large fish I mean 4" fully grown...nothing huge...I meant large compared to what I currently have:

1 RTBS = 2"
6 Tigers = Range from 1.5" to 2"
6 Zebra's - Range from 1" to 1.5"
Gourami = 3" maybe slightly larger...

To be honest I am happy with the numbers now...just want 1 maybe 2 centre peice fish...to finish it off...

 

[Larissa]

So at the moment you have about 23-26 inches of fish in a 23 gallon - this is a safe stocking level (but keep in mind the RBTS isn't fully grown). If you are confident you can safely "overstock" then you can add more fish. Maybe 3 glass catfish would be nice. Take a look at their profile here: <a href="http/www.fishforums.net/content/Catfish/.../Glass-Catfish/" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/content/Catfish/.../Glass-Catfish/</a> or a pair of bolivian rams would be nice.
On a side note, I think your gourami might be a red variant of a dwarf (rather than honey) gourami. That would be a very large honey gourami indeed.

 

[MarkM]

I will get a picture...it definately looks exactly like the Honey Gourami...the LFS labelled them as Extra Large Honey Gourami's....

Pics will show it better...

The bolivian ram idea is a good idea...I was looking at them in the store...I like them...