How many first off in new tank?

Paul_MTS

MAD
Joined
Apr 15, 2004
Messages
5,818
Reaction score
1
Location
Essex, Kirby
I'm almost ready to stock my tank but want to know what and how many to get?

I know I will have 1 RTBS or one of the siliar species.
a few clown loaches
and i would like some pleco's/catfish of some kind looking through me book...I like the look of bristle noses and the armoured catfish look awesome.
then i'll probable have some cories.

i'm not sure about what mid and higher level fish to have aswell though :S

the tanks 25gallons, although it's a tad on the taller side (11" wide, 18" high)

also when should I do my first water change, I'ved had it running for 2 weeks, with cabomba and oxgenating weed in and some moss balls. I'm changing the gravel today though, and finishing the decor with a large piece of bog wood and some cobbles most likely.
 
A 25 gallon is much too small for Clown Loach's. They usually grow about 8" in an aquarium environment.

armoured catfish look awesome. then i'll probable have some cories.
Armored catfish are cories :p

What are your water parameters (pH, KH, GH)? Fish live in all sorts of environments, so you need to post your water conditions before we can make recommendation
 
no an armoured cat fish is a species, it's proper name being- Callichthys callichthys. or aka Hassar, slender armoured catfish! :p

I knew someone would say about the clown loach, but I'm buying them farely small and will be getting a bigger tank and if I don't I can always donate them to locals. :)

I haven't tested my water yet....didn't want to waste my chemicals!! I'ved just changed my gravel and put my new bit of bogwood in so I'll let it all settle for a few days then do a test.
 
If you're going to go with Clown Loaches, I would wait for a bit until you actually have the tank pretty well established. They are rather fragile fish and are very suceptible (I can't spell! :lol: ) to disease. Otherwise, if you're planning on getting a bigger tank for them when they are older, I don't see a problem with it at all. I have three Clowns in my 25 gallon and they do wonderfully. Of course they are still small yet, the biggest one only being about 3.5", and they will eventually be going into a 55 gallon. :nod:

As for the RTBS, I've heard they can get rather territorial, but I think they would be ok with the fish you have...don't quote me on this though. :/

Corys are wonderful and if you do decide to get some Clowns the Corys will school right along with them...mine do at least. :wub:

After I add the first few fish, I usually wait a week to clean the gravel, just because I feel that it puts less stress on the fish, and allows a bit of time to get some of the beneficial bacteria growing. But I'm sure every member here does it a bit differenly, so I'm sure someone else can give you a different idea if you don't like mine. :p

Hope this helps! Good luck with the tank! Let us know what you decide to do. :nod:
 
Yeah, I second Arashi. wait for a while on the clowns. Give the tank 3 months and then you'll be ready for them, and if you get them smal they'll be fine for quite a while. They grow quite quickly to about 5" or so, then really slow down. Mine were about 5" when I got them, they are now about 6" and I've had them for just over 8 months!!!
 
Ok so clowns can be one of the later fishes to buy as I know to only add atleast a week apart.

I think the RTBS are more territorial against there own kind so i can only have 1 :(

hmm can't find the clown cories in my tropical fish enclyclopedia.

I need a new heater now though as I forgot that when i turn the pump on the heater comes on aswell so when i started fillingwith water after adding the new gravel....water touches hot glass and crack!

o0o 3 months...that is a long time :( they like a mature tank then..yeh I heard that they grew there first 5/6" quickly then dramatically slowed down which is what I took into consideration.
 
3 months is a recommendation. If I'm honest, I got mine at about 1 1/2 months, but I knew the water parameters were stable and that they'd be OK. If your water is good and your filter has bedded in nicely, then you'll most likely be ok!!!
Be prepared to give 'em about 3 months to settle in properly though. for the first couple of months, they'll just hide away and run when they see you, but after a while, they start coming out all the time. My Clowns are 3 of my most active fish now, and always up to some kind of mischief!!! You'll love them!!! :D
 
paul_v_biker said:
hmm can't find the clown cories in my tropical fish enclyclopedia.
No no no no no...not Clown Corys...Clowns and Corys. :p Clown Loaches and Cory Cats love each other. Mine are always hanging out together, along with the new Yo-Yo Loaches. :nod: Sorry for the misunderstanding. :fun: :rolleyes:

Yeah, the Clowns will be a bit afraid of you for a little while, always hiding when they see you come into the room. But I think mine only took about two weeks to get really used to me, because the tank they are in is right next to my computer, and they see me all the time. :p Now they are out constantly, clicking, dancing, and just causing all sorts of mischief. :wub:

I also agree with at least three months for Clowns. I put mine in at almost the three month mark and they are doing wonderfully. I don't think I'd want to trust them in a non-established tank. Also, if you can quarantine them first before putting them into your main tank, thats usually a good idea too. As I said before they get diseases very easily and will almost always get white spot after you bring them home. I got lucky and didn't have to deal with this little problem, but I figured I'd make you aware of it. :nod:

RTBS aren't only territorial against their own kind...they can and will also go after other fish if they can. Most of them are pretty shy and will hide most of the time, but there are a few that aren't so shy... :/ Believe me, I've heard stories. But they are great fish...I'm hoping to get one for my 55 gallon. :D
 
Ah ha!! I saw all the cories in my book and some of them look fab, will have to sell what my LHS has.

My neighbour has a few clown loach in his tank there about 3inch I reakon (his is a 20 gallon) there the main atraction really.

My waters settled again after the gravel change, looks alot better now with granite chippings and the bog wood, although there was some tanning left in it :rolleyes: so my waters slightly tanned.

The best I could do for qurantine is a bucket but unless I got another heater I won't beable to heat it, as my other tank is going to have some red claw crabs in it.

Yep I realise the sharks could be agresive towards other species but when you have more than 1 in a smaller tank they will knocking each other about all the time.

Any ideas for shoaling fish?
 
For schooling fish I really recommend tetras. They are wonderful little fish and come in so many different colors and shapes that your sure to find at least one species you like. I currently have Silvertip Tetras and Serpae Tetras in my 25 gallon, and I used to have Head and Tail Lights in my 10. But I'm looking to get some Penguin Tetras (my lfs FINALLY has some of these little guys!!) and some Diamond Tetras at some point. :nod:

If you don't like tetras, then you could always try Glass Catfish (these are very very fragile fish), Hatchetfish (the marbled are the best :p ), or maybe some White Cloud Minnows, or some friendly barbs of some sort, like Gold Barbs.

:nod:
 
Cool cheers, then of course you can't forget neon tetras!!

I'm going to the shop tomorrow so See what he has, although I can't buy for the tank yet as I bust my heater :sad: jus bought a 200W on ebay though so soon!!
 

Most reactions

Back
Top