How Many Of Each?

[minxfishy]

My Trigon 350 (approx 90 usg) is arriving this week

The main fish will be rainbows, approx 10-12 M.Lacustris.

I was then thinking of going with some of the smaller cichlid species, as my other tank has large cichlids.

I was thinking, Keyholes and Bolivian rams, then lots of corydoras for the bottom.

How many would you suggest of each? Im not interested in breeding them btw.

 

[dave_oddballs]

i would probably only have one pair of rams, not because of space restrictions, just in my experience they constantly squabble if kept in groups so a pair works fine, key holes are fairly placid so you could probably keep a small group, say around 6?
you could go for a big group of cory's, without being stupid you could put in as many as you like.

most of the fish mentioned will stay near the bottom, apart from the rainbows, would you not like something else, at the top or middle?

 

[minxfishy]

Will probably add a shoal of tetras at some point, I was thinking cardinals once the tank matures a bit.

Open to suggestions though for other fish of middle/top range dwellers.

Was gonna have around 20 corydoras of varying species.

Thanks Dave.

 

[star4]

Why not go for something special Aspitogramma Agassizi's, I saw some in Shirly and fell in love, or others from the Asitogramma family, really gorgous dwarf cichlids, would look fantastic with rainbows too. (thats if they are compatable, not looked that bit up lol)

 

[dave_oddballs]

thats funny, i just went onto a site to work out the dimensions of the tank and the first figure for cory numbers that came into my head was 20! will look good with like 6 each of 3-4 species.
im not too sure on the rams, that was just from my experience with them, and it was in a smaller tank than the trigon 350, i think some of the other rams get on better in groups? not overly sure, wish i had a smaller community tank, they have those electric blue rams for a tenner each at my lfs, when i went to bas a couple of weeks ago they were about £25 each! just because they're blue! ha
i think your idea of cardinals would look brilliant, id find it hard to think of another similarly sized tetra that would look better!

 

[minxfishy]

Yeah those electric blue rams are lovely, unfortunatley wouldnt go because of the temperature requirements. Apisto's might work well Star4, although having never kept any, I would have to check up their compatibility, its mainly temperature, as the tanks needs to sit around 24-26 for the rainbows, thanks for the suggestion.

I was hoping the cardinal colours would mix well but contrast at the same time to the rainbows.

 

[star4]

Just checked Aspito's need higher temps but German rams would be ok at that temperature I have 3 in one tank and 2 in another all male, I lost the femles I had thanks to that mad pleco! The 2 that are in the tank in the kitchen are kept at 25c now, if you want them when your tanks set up your welcome to them.

 

[Bebobb]

Actually, GBR need a tempature of 80-82 F, or 27- 28 C. If this isn't met, then they can be more prone to disease. Bolivian rams would be much more suited. Or like mentioned, Apistogramma.

 

[star4]

I had mine from a breeder, all his were at 25 so I kept mine the same never had a problem with them lost the females to a mad plec and lost 2 males when I had a problem in my bigger tank.

 

[Bebobb]

I had mine from a breeder, all his were at 25 so I kept mine the same never had a problem with them lost the females to a mad plec and lost 2 males when I had a problem in my bigger tank.

I was just saying what most people on this forum stress out about them. But shhhhh, I kept mine at 78F.

 

[star4]

Ok your secret's safe with me lol


Minxy I also have 3 corrys I dont know what they are little silvery ones with black stripy/spotty markings I think from their shape 2 female and one male, if you want them you can have them.

 

[Wills]

How about Cupid cichlids? Or the B.Waverni - very nice wildwoods have these at about £8 each. They like to be in groups and are somewhere between bolivain rams and your G.Surinimensis. I read in PFK that in the wild they are found with threadfinned acaras so that would be an awesome combination IMO Would look really good with your rainbows, and I think they would be robust enough if the threadfin went a bit nuts at times?

Wills

 

[jmiller]

I'll be watching this closely since I'm planning a similar tank, only smaller (40 gallon). Rams, cories & black skirt tetras. What are your plans for substrate & decorations?

 

[minxfishy]

Star4, thanks hon, will let you know when I can next get over to you (Or your coming this way ) Dont suppose you wanna part with those rotties any time you do

Wills, will look them up, thanks

jmiller, the substrate will be black sand as I have a large bag left over from my other tank, decor will be bogwood and plants (albeit good fake ones).

 

[star4]

Part with my rotties well hell freezes lol, sorry hun they are super babies, like jethro couldnt part with them. But if when I get everyone shifted and if they spawn I said you can have a couple of the babies.