Eventual Stocking

[-FighterFishh]

Hiya everyone!
When I bought my 125L Juwel Rio I decided on a stocking of:
7 female bettas
10 Pygmy Cories
2 German blue rams
10 Forktail Rainbows

I really like this stocking, however I've hit a few problems with it.
First is the pygmy cories. I had only 3 remaining when I moved them into my 125L but went out to buy 6 more. The original 3 were the spotty ones but the new 6 I got were the striped ones. They seemed to settle in well but then within a few days they disappeared and I haven't seen them since. This was a few weeks ago now. Are the spotted ones hardier or could I just have gotten some unlucky fish? If they didn't work out, could anyone suggest some other shoaling fish I could add into the stocking?
Second is the rams. I've heard some people say they're boring so thats put me off a little bit. Does anyone think any different? Also, if I didn't get the rams, what other bigger fish could I put in with that stocking? Someone suggested a pair of apistogramma cichlids but I'm not sure if they'd get too big?

Wow, I typed a lot more than I thought I would there!
Thanks!

 

[Llegmore]

Apistos don't get too big. They're dwarf cichlids. Depending on the type that you get of course. They're very shy fish and may not get on with all the bettas.

The cories are a little worrying. It's weird when fish just disappear. Leopards aren't usually hardier. Did you introduce them OK?

Personally I'm not a ram fan. I've only ever had experiences with Bolivian, not Blue. So perhaps they're different. I know that the German Blues usually cost more.

What lady bettas are you getting? Some good breeding stock I hope

Sounds like a good plan.

 

[-FighterFishh]

Thank you for your reply!

Apistos may be something to think about, availability might be an issue though! I see a lot of rams about but not so many apistos. Would I add in a pair or a single male?

I did think it was really strange. I kept a close eye on the readings but nothing spiked. When I introduced them I floated them for a few hours and added some of my tank water at each hour, then eventually let them out. My leopards are doing really well still, though I'd like to find them a bigger shoal. I think when I get the chance I'll get some more of them, the striped ones have always been a little more shy when I've had a mix of the two. Would I be able to keep a shoal of the slightly larger cories instead or do they get too big?

I love the look of the rams, I always have. However people have been saying their very boring fish which puts me off. That said, I guess the tank would have some bettas in it which would probably be entertaining enough for me!

I'd like to get some nicely coloured girls, hopefully with some fancy tails! I'm particularly interested in marble DTs but I guess I'll get any girls that particularly catch my eye!

 

[Llegmore]

I'm like that with bettas. No planning. I just see the pretty colours and buy. Apistos should be kept in pairs. I think they're more available than they used to be depending on where you are.

It's true that you wouldn't be getting the rams as the active part of the community, rather as something to look pretty (which they do very well). It's personal preference between rams and apistos really. They both have their high and low points. If it were my tank, it would come down to pricing and availability.

I guess the cories could have been an unlucky group - stressed in transit to the fish shop or maybe sold too soon. They do like being in large shoals so I'd get some more leopards. If I were you, I'd keep the size of the cories down. Stick to the leopards. They're my fave cory cats.

 

[Dazzler666]

Have you checked your watwr stats? Losing that many fish in ine go is a little worrying & especially as you cant/have not found them. Consider regular water testing & possibly laege water changes before adding any more fish.
Ideally for apistos you want mayne 1 malwa to 3 females as they are cichlids after all and can be aggressive hence increasing the female numbers spreads the aggression.
GBR's have quite strict water requirements too incase you not aware. Simple answer is reaearch, reaearch and research all of the fish you interested in to see if they are all compatible with yourself and each other then go from there.
Good luck with your stocking mind!!

 

[-FighterFishh]

I'm like that with bettas. No planning. I just see the pretty colours and buy. Apistos should be kept in pairs. I think they're more available than they used to be depending on where you are.

It's true that you wouldn't be getting the rams as the active part of the community, rather as something to look pretty (which they do very well). It's personal preference between rams and apistos really. They both have their high and low points. If it were my tank, it would come down to pricing and availability.

I guess the cories could have been an unlucky group - stressed in transit to the fish shop or maybe sold too soon. They do like being in large shoals so I'd get some more leopards. If I were you, I'd keep the size of the cories down. Stick to the leopards. They're my fave cory cats.

Hahaa, hopefully I'll be able to get some new girls soon to up the numbers!
I did find some apistos today but decided against them. I don't really know enough about them yet so I decided to leave it for now. I expect I'll probably go with rams instead, I've researched them more so I feel a bit more comfortable with getting some.

That's what I was thinking. The fish I've got from that shop have never lasted long, which might factor into it. I love the leopards too, they seem a little more chunky which makes them more cute to me!

However, I did find some forktails and threadfin rainbows. I decided to go for the threadfins instead not just because they were cheaper but also I found them more pretty when I compared the two! I researched them a while ago too so I'm pretty sure they'll fit in well.

Have you checked your watwr stats? Losing that many fish in ine go is a little worrying & especially as you cant/have not found them. Consider regular water testing & possibly laege water changes before adding any more fish.
Ideally for apistos you want mayne 1 malwa to 3 females as they are cichlids after all and can be aggressive hence increasing the female numbers spreads the aggression.
GBR's have quite strict water requirements too incase you not aware. Simple answer is reaearch, reaearch and research all of the fish you interested in to see if they are all compatible with yourself and each other then go from there.
Good luck with your stocking mind!!

I checked them whilst and after the fish disappeared and nothing spiked. They were probably eaten, they're so tiny it doesn't surprise me I didn't find any bodies.
I've decided against apistos for the moment, I can't fit that many larger fish in the tank and I don't really know enough about them to keep some. I'd feel more comfortable with rams and several people have told me they'd work well with the stocking I'd like, too, so they seem to be the better option.