If I Were To Completely Restock..

[xweeqtx]

Both myself and the boyfriend have agreed to go with a different stocking for the community tank. I keep working it out as 30 gallons, but I used the Thinkfish calculator[Tank is 2ft long x 1.5 feet wide x 1.5 feet high] and got these results:

Volume in litres: 127.42581
Volume in imperial gallons: 28.033398
Volume in US gallons: 33.666001

I've done a bit of shifting about with the fish, so my current stocking is now:
6 Cardinal Tetra's[These are going to a new home sometime this week]
4 Golden Barbs
3 Zebra Danios[Did have 4, but one jumped from the bucket during a full water change/set up change without anyone noticing]
1 Albino Cory
2 Bronze Cory
1 CAE[Need to find somewhere else for this guy to go]

Now, we aren't wanting a wide array of fish. The tank is now decorated as a complete natural set up, is more heavily planted and has numerous slate caves. The filter is being upgraded, possibly a Fluval 4+(?), at the moment its a Fluval 3+. We'd rather have a few bigger fish if possible, rather than all the small ones.

I would like to hear what ideas people have?

 

[PRW1988]

In a small tank like that, there really aren't too many "big" fish that you could get that wouldn't damage your stock already. Also, you mentioned you did a full water change? You should never do a full water change on a tank as this may cause spikes throughout your system.

If your trying to conserve space I'd recommend getting a canister filter opposed to an internal. If you we're to "rip apart" your tank and start from nothing, then I'd suggest getting some nice oddball fish, or converting your tank into a brackish water tank.

Green spotted puffers make a great addition to a brackish water tank, aswell, if you go for oddballs I'd try an African Butterfly fish, I recently picked one of each species up and have not had any problems with them, the only issue with Af. Butterflys is that things such as your Zebra Danios and even possibly your barbs would be eaten.

Whatever you decide good luck, we'll be behind you helping all the way.


Ryan

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

According to practicalfishkeeping.com the tank is 30gals;

Dimensions 61 x 46 x 46cm/24" x 18" x 18
Surface area 0.28 sqm/3.01 sq ft/ inches sq in
Volume 127 l./28 gal. (33.55 US gal.)
Probable volume 114 l./25 gal. (30 US gal.)

So you are pretty spot on with that .



Personally i would advise getting another 2 golden barbs, 3 more zebra danio's, 2 albino corys and 1 bronze cory first.


For completely new larger fish, are you looking for brightly coloured ones, more natural subdued coloured ones, bottom dwelling fish or middle to top dwelling fish etc ?

 

[xweeqtx]

I think I may have put this wrong..

I did mean I wanted to completely re-do my stocking, and start a fresh with new fish. This won't be happening until my other tank is cycled for the current fish in the stocking.

For completely new larger fish, are you looking for brightly coloured ones, more natural subdued coloured ones, bottom dwelling fish or middle to top dwelling fish etc

I'm not completely sure what I'm looking for, that's part of my reason for asking. I'm sorely tempted to do away with this tank to get one big enough for a group of Discus but I just won't have space. I'm just looking for fish that are a little bigger than what I have at the moment to be able to put a smaller group of them in, if that makes any sense. I want the tank to continue looking "natural".

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

How about a shoal of Clown barbs (grow to 4-6inch long);

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=67293


and Congo tetra's (grow to 3inch long);

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=41714


And a group of swordtails (grow to 4inches long) to add some colour, ideally 1male and 3 or more females (don't keep more than 1male with females);

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=76754



And for small to medium sized bottom dwelling fish, how about 1 or 2 attractively patterning Leopard Frog Plecos (grow to 4.5inches);

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...?species_id=213


?

 

[xweeqtx]

Not too keen on the clown barbs and tetras. Swordtails, again, are a bit too regular stocking for what I'm aiming for, I'd rather stay away from the livebearers.
The pleco's, however, are lovely. The first time I've seen one of those kinds. I don't think any of the LFS's around here stock anything bar the clown or common pleco's.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Leopard frog plecos are quite uncommon, but they are not rare and most lfs are able to stock them, maybe ask your lfs if they can specially order in the fish for you , one of my lfs stocks these plecos every now and then.

Abramites hypselonotus -High-backed Headstander fish (grows to 5.5inches) should be able to fit in your tank, but i do not know a greatl deal on them, they are one of the more uncommon fish out there if you want something a little bit more unique for your tank;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=110215
.

 

[jkrekord]

How about a pair of kribs, a paradise fish, the leopard frog pleco is a great idea, and poissibly even another fish which is about 5 inches and able to take care of itself...

 

[xweeqtx]

Will have to ask about the pleco, and see what they can do for me!

The High-backed Headstander fish is lovely! Like the look of those. Will look up the kribs and paradise fish in a while to see what they are like.

 

[PRW1988]

You could try Asutralian Rainbows, they only get to about 3"

 

[starrynightxxi]

You could try Asutralian Rainbows, they only get to about 3"

There are probably a few types of rainbows you could check out, such as the dwarf neons (Melanotaenia praecox), but don't just run out and buy whatever because many of them most definately get larger than 3 inches! I think the praecox max at 2-3 inches and they are lovely fish. I'd get some if i didn't think my bichir would eat them

 

[dthoffsett]

There are a few central or south american cichlids that would work in a 30 gal.

Central American Aquarium

• Archocentrus nigrofasciatus - 1 pair
• Hyphessobrycon eques "Serpae Tetra" - 5

• Archocentrus centrarchus - 1 pair
• Capoeta tetrazona "Tiger Barb" - 6

• Archo. spilarus "Blue-eyed cichlid" - 1 pair
• Hyphessobrycon eques "Serpae Tetra" - 5

• Herotilapia multispinosa "Rainbow" - 1 pair
• Capoeta tetrazona "Tiger Barb" - 5

• Neetroplus Nematopus - 1 pair
• Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 1

South American Aquarium



• Apistogramma species - 1 pair
• Corydoras catfish - 4
• Hyphessobrycon eques "Serpae Tetra" - 6-8

• Cleithracara maronii - 1 pair
• Corydoras catfish - 4
• Gymnocorymbus ternetzi "Black Skirt Tetra" - 3

• Crenicichla compressiceps - 1 pair
• Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis "Lemon Tetra" - 6

• Microgeophagus ramirezi - 1 pair
• Hemigrammus bleheri "Rummy Nose" - 6
• Inpaichthys kerri "Blue Emperor" - 4

• Gymnogeophagus australis - 1 pair
-OR-
• Gymnogeophagus rhabdotus - 1 pair
-OR-
• Gymnogeophagus meridionalis - 1 pair
-AND-
• Gymno. ternetzi "Black Widow Tetra" - 6