First post (and probably the wrong forum)

[toffee]

Hello all,

Found this site a while ago and need a bit of info.

I have a rio 240 (which I think holds around 55 gallons) and would like to put gouramis, angel fish, corys and clown loaches into it.

I think this mix is ok (had a look through the forums) but I'm not to sure on the quantity of fish i can hold in the tank. Can someone help with a good breakdown of the above fish that will happily fit into the tank?

Also, what other types of fish would go well in this type of community of fish? I'm not really a beginner, but I have only kept the normal live bearer type fish, so these are new to me.

Thanks in advance

 

[The-Wolf]

you tank is too small for clown loaches, additionally I don't think the rio 240 is deep enough for angels.

 

[toffee]

So clown loaches are a definate no then. The tank sits at 18" high, (around 16" I suppose with gravel) is this definately to shallow for angels?

 

[CFC]

It is also best not to mix angels and gouramis in the same tank, as they both share the same position in the water and look similar it can lead to aggression between the two species.

A 18" high tank is ok for angels as long as there isnt too many substrate based obsticals which bring the bottom of the tank closer to the top, most angels do not grow more than 6 inches tall from anal fin tipto dorsal fin tip.

 

[toffee]

I'll probably stick with gouramis then. Any idea how many I can have in the tank without overcrowding? Does anyone have any good ideas for other fish that could be added to this tank which wont effect the gouramis, as I want the tank to have a good low, mid, high range.

 

[parker313]

What kind of gouramis do you want? Dwarf gouramis top out at about 2", but a kissing gourami can get to 8-10"! The gold and blue guouramis also can get pretty big.

If you want loaches, try yo-yo loaches. They're similar to the clowns, but stay much smaller. Cories and loaches can co-exist but are both bottom dwellers, so they're going to be using the same territory.

You could also have a school of some kind of tetra or rasbora. Either would go well with gouramis.

 

[sylvia]

With the gouramies, don't limmit yourself to dwarfs and three-spots (gold, blue, opaline etc) unless they are realy what you like. These are the most common but not necessarily the best choice. Look into colisa fasciata, colisa labiosa, pearl gouramies wub and moonlight gouramies. Just a thought.

If you want loaches, go for khulies It's just this: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=51494 is so cute ...

Nice tetras are black phantoms which can change color from grey to black and the males will also display beautifuly. Rummy noses are nice too. For rasboras, harlequins are the best schoolers. Also consider zebra danios, I know they are common but they are also wonderful community fish.

If you choose one of the more peaceful gouramies (ie not three-spots ) you might want to consider hatchetfish. Wonderful schooling fish that are strictly upper-water-dwellers. Watch you have a tight-fitting hood though - they can 'glide' out of your tank...

Since you've kept livebearers as well, a few swordtails would be nice

Have you considered rams?

Cories would be a good idea too. I like blackfin and bronze most. Pygmy/dwarf cories are adorable and they preffer the middle layers rather than being typical bottom-dwellers like other cories.

Bristlenose plecs are also nice. Their unusual appearance is great for adding interest to any tank.

The list goes on and on...

 

[toffee]

Thanks for the input, as you said theres alot to choose from!

I'll have a look about for a few of the stated fish, as I have really been in two minds over what type of tank I want. However, looking through the threads I think that I want it to be quite heavily planted, as the effect looks amazing.

I'll have to get some pics up soon so people can tell me what they think.

Thanks for the replies