Help Me Choose My Fish...

[B2k2]

Hi,

I have a 29 Uk Gallon aquarium which I have just recently set up and I am 5 days into a fishless cycle. I've been looking around all the LFS's and have picked the shop I want to buy from because their range and quality is excellent.

I've been researching the types of fish I like and definatly want a pair of Bolivian Rams and some cories. The other fish I have been looking at are Cardinal Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras and Popondetta furcata (Forktail Blue-eye) but i'm unsure of quantities and what would be suitable to keep with the rams. I'm also thinking of getting a Male Betta and a Shrimp of some kind. Obviously I'm going to build this up gradually but if I was to get all of the above would I be overstocked?

Also I'd like to hear any other fish suggestions from yourselfs, I'm really interested in unusual fish...

 

[Durbkat]

Not sure about those other fish but you defintly can't put a male betta in the tank because either the rams would eat it whole or the other fish will nip its fins and chase it and a 29g UK is really big and they don't like really big spaces because they have to patrol a bigger area to claim its territory and that would stress it out to its death not sure about females but someone should be able to tell you about that.

 

[B2k2]

Not sure about those other fish but you defintly can't put a male betta in the tank because either the rams would eat it whole or the other fish will nip its fins and chase it and a 29g UK is really big and they don't like really big spaces because they have to patrol a bigger area to claim its territory and that would stress it out to its death not sure about females but someone should be able to tell you about that.

Thanks for that... I'll forget the betta then. Just realised what I've put as well, its actually a 24 UK Gallon tank, 29 US gallons.. Geez why cant it be the same lol!

 

[Ethos]

Sounds pretty good, minus the betta.
It looks like you like tetras, and if you want some really exciting fish, have you considerd a angel or 2? Maybe some gouramis....I can't think of fish that would be way out there that would fit into a 29G....
Sorry

 

[Durbkat]

I know that would be so more convient.

 

[Ethos]

I know that would be so more convient.

What do you mean?

 

[houndour]

I've been researching the types of fish I like and definatly want a pair of Bolivian Rams and some cories. The other fish I have been looking at are Cardinal Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras and Popondetta furcata (Forktail Blue-eye) but i'm unsure of quantities and what would be suitable to keep with the rams. I'm also thinking of getting a Male Betta and a Shrimp of some kind. Obviously I'm going to build this up gradually but if I was to get all of the above would I be overstocked?

I can recommend Amano aka Japonica(sp) shrimp. They eat algae, although to notice you need a lot. I have 3 of these in my 20 gallon and they are fun and interesting to watch.

You may be better off asking in the ram section (is that some kind of cichlid? sorry not my area of knowledge) for compatibility with rams.

Cardinals are beautiful fish and look even more stunning if you have a planted tank They are particularly sensitive fish though and do not do well in new aquariums. I was recommended to wait 6 months before adding them, which I did and I havent lost one.

Aim for 30 inches of fully grown fish. There are some corys that are smaller than others...this will give you more room. Pandas grow to 1.5 inches, but are really sensitive to water conditions and lots of people experience mystery deaths. An alternatives to pandas are metae which are similar in pattern, but grow to 2 inches and are hardier. But you may prefer other species.

 

[sylvia]

I think durbkat was replying to your post about the US to UK gallon conversions with 'I know that would be so much more convenient'.

Anyway, keeping a betta in there wouldn't actualy be all that terrible though it's true that some of the tetras would likely nip it. Let me just say that the bigger tank size thing is a complete myth - bettas don't live in 2 gallon bowls in the wild and they don't feel the need to occupy all the space offered as their territory - like any other fish they'll choose a small area to call their own - now if that happens to be the whole of a 29 gallon tank it simply means this is less than what they would occupy in the wild if given the choice (not entirely shure that makes sense but nevermind right now ).

Anyway, if we forget the betta, here's the issue I can see:

Firstly, a 29 gallon doesn't have a bigger footprint than a 20 gallon. For rams, especialy the slightly more aggressive bolivians, it's this footprint that is critical. If you get a pair and they start to breed, any bottom-dwellers in the tank, competing for the footprint space, will be chased and bullied endlessly. As such, don't get the cories if you are getting the pair of rams. Well, actualy, if you are very careful with aquascaping you may be able to make it work with both species in the tank if you kept a large enough group of cories and devided the tank up (with rocks or driftwood) to give the cories places to hide and make the rams set up more clear-cut boundaries to their territories. I'd say a group of 6 cories is minnimum.

Having said that, 6 potentialy 2.5" cories and a pair of rams already has you about half-stocked (probably just a bit over half).

With these I'd go for 7-9 harlequin rasboras (because they are the best schoolers) and leave it at that.

If you go for the lower number for harlequins (6 minnimum), you could just about fit some kind of small 2-4" top-dwelling species such as a honey, banded, thick-lipped or dwarf gourami (just one MALE of any of these) or maybe some kind of mid-dwelling single species such as a (male) swordtail or a couple of (female) platies.

Unfortunately most oddball fish either won't fit in the tank or won't go with what you are already considering (eg: puffers are nippy, butterflyfish would eat the tetras/rasboras and gobies would not get on with the bottom-dwelling rams).

 

[B2k2]

For rams, especialy the slightly more aggressive bolivians, it's this footprint that is critical. If you get a pair and they start to breed, any bottom-dwellers in the tank, competing for the footprint space, will be chased and bullied endlessly. As such, don't get the cories if you are getting the pair of rams.

Would Blue Rams be more suitable to mix with Cories? Its just that I really like both species of fish and have my heart set on them but I dont want my peaceful corries being chased. Luckily my tank is set up with two seperate planted areas, one side is vallis and the other is amazon sword with a large rocky area in the middle. Maybe this would be ok then?

I really would like to go for some Cardinals as I've liked neons since I was a kid but these seem better. So if I went for 6 Cardinals and 6 Harliquins maybe I can get what I want without sacrifycing a species. Damn wish I had the room for a bigger or another tank...

If I was to add a shrimp of some kind would that affect the amount of fish I can have?

 

[jkrekord]

unusual fish hmm khuli loaches, african dwarf frogs, polka dot loaches
all fit the bill

 

[Silverlady]

Hi
B2k2,I live in Southampton to,what Shop have you chosen to buy your Fish from.(if you dont mind me being nosy).

 

[B2k2]

Hi
B2k2,I live in Southampton to,what Shop have you chosen to buy your Fish from.(if you dont mind me being nosy).

Hi Silverlady,

I did choose Creature Comforts in Totton but as of today I've changed my mind. I was having a look at Practical Fish Keepings website and had a look at their top 20 recommended shops. Low an behold I found one that wasnt too far, Porton Aquatic and Pet Centre which is near Salisbury, they've won awards from PFK 2 years running. It took about 40mins to get there and is so worth the drive. This has got to be the best shop I have ever been to. The selection was absolutly fantastic and the staff were excellent and very knowledgeable. I asked lots of questions and got all the right answers. I was a bit gutted that I hadn't found this place before because they are so much cheaper for everything than anywhere else I've been to.

I couldn't resist spending some money, bought some more rocks and plants... also I spotted the most gorgeous pair of Blue Rams, they were absolutly beautiful. Very kindly they have reserved them for me till my tank is ready, so I sort of own some now just can't wait to get them home.

Very happy indeed!!!!

 

[dave_m13]

Hi

I have a 29 US Gallon tank at the moment, stocked with 2 Golden Rams, 3 Kuhli loaches, 3 Oto's, 6 Cardinal Tetra and purchased yesterday 5 amano shrimps but can only see 2 now, so they are either hiding or Rams have eaten/Killed them, no idea where they have gone.

Thank
Dave

 

[Silverlady]

Have not been to that Lfs B2k2,sounds very good.Ihave been to Aquajardin in Allington Lane,still got all the fish I bought there(except a Shrimp that I sucked up when I did a water change).Also Maidenhead Aquitcs in Fairoak is very good.

 

[lljdma06]

Why not do a species tank? Harlequins would be lovely as a species tank. Feeding time is very fun with these fish. They are active, and can display very beautiful colors if kept in the right conditions. Maybe a school of 15 or so and a small shoal of bottom dwellers like some of the pygmy cories. Throw in a few of those amano shrimp. That is a pretty, pretty community, and different. All these fish will look even more stunning if you go planted. It is so much better to have larger groups of a few species than the minimum of many.