Hello

[Murk&Harry]

Hi all!

I have briefly posted in the cold water section about my poorly ryukin, who happily fully recovered! I thought I'd scoot on over here to the tropical section because I will shortly be starting my first tropical tank and would appreciate some advice and inspiration!

I currently have a 90 litre coldwater set up with two ryukins, but the lucky little fellas are only waiting on me cleaning their gravel and a two week cycle before they move in to a gorgeous 220 litre corner aquarium with external filter! Which leaves a 90 litre tank just begging for some tropical fish.

So as a complete (tropical) beginner, help! There is so much conflicting advice on the best combination/number of fish a 90 litre tank will hold I don’t know where to begin! Also, want to avoid live bearers, it seems most people say all one gender isn’t a good idea and I don’t want to hear the pitter patter of tiny fins!

The one preference I have so far is some sort of plec (or as I know them – sucker fish), they’re so cute, would my tank hold a couple?

This is just a fun post really, all ideas gratefully received!

J

 

[discus_lover]

welcome to our forum...

 

[glolite]

Hi and welcome.
In a 90 litre tank go for some smaller sucker catfish such as bristlenose plecs which only grow to about 5 inches.

Avoid the common plec as they grow huge. Other smaller catfish can be researched on www.planetcatfish

Hope this helps

 

[Murk&Harry]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I'd looked at the bristlenose vareity before, glad they would be appropriate. With two in the tank would I be able to add a small showl of fish like tetras or platies? Maybe a couple of cichlids? I've heard groups of 6 or so are best for the small fish, but I'm not sure of a good mix in my tank.

I must sound clueless! I have looked around a bit but it's hard to work out which fish go together, which are hardy beginner fish and the amount of different varieties one 90 l tank will hold. I want a lively, colourful but healthy tank!

 

[H_N_L_FISH]

Neon tetra always look good in a group maybe 6 to 10???
They are fast little things also...Welcome

 

[K-Holed]

90 litres is a fairly good size. You could easily get the bristle nose, a good shoal of small tetras and a couple of smaller cichlids (eg. Rams, apistos)

 

[Murk&Harry]

It's so good to hear that 90 litres is considered a good size! I've been feeling guilty for ages at keeping coldwater fancies in it as it's just abot the smallest acceptable size for goldies. I'm looking forward to this tropical tank! Thanks for all your tips, I love the look of neon tetras! (By all means keep them coming! Like lots of opinions to help me decide.)

 

[H_N_L_FISH]

guppies are my fav!!! they are so funny funky and brighten up the tank!!! neons defo look good tho in large groups!!!

 

[JenCliBee]

Just be aware that if you add 2 bristlenose plecs the likely hood of them breeding if female and male are very high, then you would need an extra tank to grow fry on before they are large enough to sell, 1 would probably be best and that way leaves alot more room for something else. Maybe a nice group of cory's?

 

[Murk&Harry]

guppies are my fav!!! they are so funny funky and brighten up the tank!!! neons defo look good tho in large groups!!!

I absolutely Loved the guppies I saw in the store, beautiful colours and loved the way they moved. But as live barers wouldn't theyneed to be in a same sex group? Wouldn't that cause aggression? That seems to be the theory anyway, would loved to hear about practicial experience!

 

[H_N_L_FISH]

Iv got a few males and females they breed yes and u can either keep them in breeding t rap till big enough to go into the tank or u can leave them to fend for them selves fittest survive!!!... but anyway males arn't agressive together nore females not that iv found anyhoe!!!

 

[Murk&Harry]

Just be aware that if you add 2 bristlenose plecs the likely hood of them breeding if female and male are very high, then you would need an extra tank to grow fry on before they are large enough to sell, 1 would probably be best and that way leaves alot more room for something else. Maybe a nice group of cory's?

Thanks for the tip! I'm definately up for avoiding accidental breeding. Sorry to sound sappy but, my Ryukin has been a happier fish since his ryukin buddy moved into his tank, don't fish like to have company of their own kind? Is there anyway to tell the sex of a fish? It sounds daft I know, I'm a softy!

 

[drobbyb]

You most definately can keep a group of all male guppies, and there is no change of them breeding! If that's what you have your heart set on, then get guppies.

 

[aly_starh]

90l tank is great!

The best Pleco that you can get for that tank is Bristlenose or BullDog, Obviously they breed fast, so it may be better to get 2 males or 2 females.

Regarding what other fish, as the tank is already cycled you can add anything, Tetras do best in really mature tanks, a shoal of 15-20 would look really nice, cardinals are slighlty more hardier than Neons. With Lots of live plants, it could work well.

Also some top dwelling fish would be great aswell, something like Guppies.

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