fish list

[bettaboi]

ok here is my fish list i just want to know if it will work if not tell me ok here it goes ps this is a 20 planted tank empty now

6 fancy guppies
6 neon tetras
1 african butterfly fish
2 cory cats

so wut do u think am i over stocked cant wait to hear

 

[MegTheFish]

The neons and the guppies would be fine, but you need to have atleast 4 (6 is better) cories. I don't know much about the african butterfly fish though...but, don't they eat smaller fish? I think they mostly stay at the surface of the water, so the cories would be fine, but I think the guppies and the neons would become lunch. I'll check on that, just a sec.

Edit: I got a few quotes:
"Tankmates should be chosen carefully as the Butterfly fish is a predator with a reasonably sized mouth."-aquahobby.com

"This species is aggressive towards other surface dwelling creatures, but mid-water and bottom dwellers are usually ignored."-aquahobby.com

"They should not be kept with fin nippers as they have long finnage. Smaller fish under 2inches are also out of the question as they may end as a snack for the butterfly fish. Bottom dwellers and mid water fish of a good size and temprement are fine."-fish.orbust.net

Personally, I wouldn't risk it. Neons are defentley less then 2" and you might have trouble with the guppies. Why don't you get a gourami instead?

 

[Dwarfs]

ok here is my fish list i just want to know if it will work if not tell me ok here it goes ps this is a 20 planted tank empty now

6 fancy guppies
6 neon tetras
1 african butterfly fish
2 cory cats

so wut do u think am i over stocked cant wait to hear

If you did that tank, you would be left with an african butterfly and the cories. ABFs have huge mouths and are awesome ambush predators that usually eat floating insects or small fish.

Currently, I have 3 ABFs, and my largest one (4" body length, 5" with tail)
crushes and swallows 2" pieces of krill with ease, and I have fed him guppies in the past.

IMO, you could either get 3 ABFS and 6 cories, or the tetras and 6 cories Neither would be overstocked IMO.

 

[bettaboi]

would this be better

6 cory cats
6 neon tetras
6 fancy guppies

 

[troutfly]

If you really want the ABF, you could stock the tank with the Cory's, and put an ABF or 2 and then put in a pair of PLatys or Sword Tails , that way ever 8 weeks you can have live food for the ABF and still have a live bearer. I know I am a bit twisted, but it would happen in the wild.

 

[SandMan8388]

Well IMO if you are new, or somewhat new to the whole aquatic world... I would go with the 6 Guppies, 6 Neons, and 6 Cory Cats, like bettaboi said. Plus with the Cory Cats you don't just have to get one kind you can mix it up a bit; like a Leopard cory, an Emerald Green, a Panda Cory and so on. Here's a great online fish store with a huge selection on Cories. Click Here for Cories

Also maybe instead of Neons try some Cardinals!

Check out the rest of that site for some more great ideas!

 

[Arfie]

I'd also go with the 6 cory's, but unlike Sandman, I wouldn't suggest getting several different types because I have albino's and peppereds and they ignore each other unless frightened, when they all clump together.

Maybe pick two types and have 3 of each, or just have a fleet of 6 of the same.

I'd try to get 6 panda's, and I think due to their smaller size you could maybe get 8 of them.

Personal choice, I'd steer clear of albino cory's though, they are loopy

All just my opinion and experience though, good luck with whatever you choose

Arfie

 

[parker313]

If you're looking for 6 of each, then I'd stick with the neons over the cardinals as the neons stay smaller, which means less bioload. With 18 fish, you're not really overstocked b/c the fish you're looking at are all low waste producers, but if you switch the neons to cardinals, you could be asking for problems.

For the cories, I'd go with some of the smaller ones like pandas or trilineatus. Again, it's not a big issue, but might help ward off any potential problems.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Panda corys are generally supposed to be quite sensitive though; I would go for peppereds instead. Do remember though that they grow to 3 inches, so 4 or 5 might be better.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

If this is a brand new tank we are talking about, neons could be a problem as they tend to die off at the slightest sign of ammonia or nitrites and so aern't realy recommended starter fish for a new tank- it will probably be worth going for a hardier type of tetra.

6 guppys will be good if you only have one or 2 males in the whole lot and the rest female, but guppys will produce alot of fry for as long as you have them so unless you want the hassle of getting rid of or raising tons of fry, it may be worth going for a smaller amount of guppys- more like 2-3females and a male. Fancy guppys are also not very hardy so you could have some issues introducing them to a cycling or newly cycled tank.
Corys though will be great depending on what species you for for, especially if you are going for sand substrate in the tank .
May i ask how many gallons this tank holds?

 

[bettaboi]

ok i havent read this post for a while so heres an update i bought 4 neons and 2 cory cats(more to come) yes for everyone that was worried about cycling this tank was used as a betta fry tannk befor this and it had proably 50 betta fry in it and 10 snails for about 2 months(same snails are in this tank)i have checked my ammonia nitrates ect all looks fine so thanks for the help just thought id give you an update