how to stock 29 gallon tank

[jcskowronek]

How should I stock my 29 gallon freshwater tank? I'd prefer fish that don't need a heater and I'm obviously new so I'd like more beginner fish. I'd also like to put some live plants and maybe some snails/shrimp/something like that. thanks!

 

[jcskowronek]

im thinking possibly:
a few guppies
1 or 2 female bettas
a few cichlids
some neon tetras
a black moor goldfish
plus a snail or two

would this work? or am i just completely spouting nonsense? ive been searching the net but I cant find much on what types of fish can go together.

 

[Demeter32]

It's very hard to recommend fish that don't need heaters. Many of the fish you listed need a heater as they are tropical fish. I do not recommend keeping any type of goldfish with tropical fish.

"1 or 2 female bettas" is a no-go. I personally would not keep bettas with other mid-top dwelling species. Guppies especially are usually targeted by bettas because of their colorful tails. And if you have a betta sorority, you need more than just a couple as the stronger one will often harass and kill the weaker one. I have a 29gal planted sorority with 9 females. Bettas really need a heavily planted tank. Seeing as you are relatively new I would not try doing a betta sorority.

As for cichlids, what species are you looking into? There are tons and tons of them out there and chances are any that you would want need a temp around 76F give or take a few degrees.

The only fish from that list that doesn't need a heater and can do OK in a 29gal is ONE fancy goldfish. Keep in mind that they get big and create a ton of waste so really I feel all goldfish are meant for ponds rather than small-medium sized tanks.

Can you list your water parameters out of the tap? What is the pH, GH and KH? Is your water soft or hard? You will want to match fish that can do well in your water so you never have to mess with water quality other than the weekly water changes.

 

[jcskowronek]

ok so I went on rate my fish tank compatibility tool and i think ive decided:

tetra
danio
dwarf gourami
platies
rainbow fish/shark - whats the difference?
1 plecostomus

is this specific enough?
it says these are all compatible - is that true? i can get a heater - what kind/how do i need to keep the water? also, how many of each would be best? i am getting a water test kit when i go to the pet store today so i will test it later today.

 

[Essjay]

The only website I would trust is Seriously Fish.

Danios need a bigger tank because although small they are very fast swimmers and need a long tank.
Tetras are fine - provided you have soft water and avoid fin nippers which would limit the choice of tank mates, and the larger species which would need a bigger tank
Dwarf gouramis would be fine if you have soft water - and can find disease free fish. The honey gourami is a better choice.
Plaities are hard water fisg which will be OK if you have hard water.
Rainbowfish - the only one suitable is the dwarf rainbow which moderately soft to hard water.
Plecs - the only one I would keep in 29 galls in the bristlenose.

As you can see, your list contains both hard and soft water fish. Whatever your water hardness, some of the fish on your list would not be happy.

You need to find how hard your water is. That information should be somewhere on your water supplier's website. Post the number and the unit here and we can help you choose fish suited to your water and the tank size - and each other. (We need the unit as well as the number for hardness as they could use any one of about half a dozen different units)

 

[hobby5]

Welcome to TFF!

One beginners advice: Don't mix too many species. It is always better to have less species but larger numbers of individuals.

The very best would be to have only one single species in decent numbers For the tank size you got the max (!) should be 3 different species (roughly bottom, middle & top, 1 or 2 species only is great too).

Life plants is great. And I would always add ramshorn and malaysian trumpet snails. They are good for tank biology. Substrate should be sand!

 

[Byron]

Welcome to TFF, and this wonderful hobby.

In addition to the good advice from other members, something of a general nature that hasn't been mentioned yet concerns shoaling fish. All of the tetras, rasbora, danio and barbs are shoaling fish, which means they live in groups of hundreds and must have a group in an aquarium. Obviously the tank size can limit this. Some other fish are shoaling too, like cories, loaches, rainbowfish. Some species need more in the group than others might, but a good rule to remember is always have more and not fewer than any "minimum" as the fish will be healthier and better off.

Always research a species before buying it, and do not take the advice of staff in the fish store. Some stores may be better than others in this respect, but it is a wise practice to take down the name of a fish you might like and then check it out on this forum or Seriously Fish. This can save a lot of trouble and grief, and the poor fish.

Water parameters are essential to know; these you may be able to find on the website of your municipal water authority. GH is general or total hardness and the most important.

Byron.