Inhabitants For 40Cm Cube?

[blackers92]

Hi Guys

Just wondering what fish would be suitable for a 40cm (16 inch) cube? I'm after something interesting.

What do you all think?

6-Ember Tetra and 6-Dwarf Chain loaches (too big? ##151### suggests they would be ok)

6-Ember Tetra and 6-10 Pygmy Corydora

2-Clown Plecos and 6 Ember Tetra

12- Galaxy Rasbora and 3 Ottos (Both kind of rare in Australia)

The tank is low tech with crypts, anubias, narrow leaf java fern and aqua soil.

Opinions and suggestions would be appreciated!!

 

[fluttermoth]

I think all your options would work, except for the clown plecs; they're too big and messy for a tank that size. Otos do better in larger groups, so you should have six of those, if you go for that option.

 

[Tizer]

as above, but could also include shrimp

 

[KittyKat]

Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki would not work (and I do not know of any loach that would, I used to have Yunnanilus sp. 'rosy' in a 60*30 cm tank, which are the smallest ones that I know of and I would not want to try them in a smaller tank as they are quite active) and clown plecos would not. Personally, I want a longer tank for any Corys, but Otos and the two smallest Hara species should work ok. For Otos, I'd want at least 6 fish of one species. Hyphessobrycon amandae and Danio margaritatus are both good choices, I recommend only one of the two and at least 10 fish for either species.

Is "##151###" a stocking calculator? If it is, I recommend that you do not use it at all because it sounds like the one that is very popular and horrendously bad. If you want to check for stocking to tank compatibility, then Seriously Fish has by far the best advice that I have come across, but is still not perfect.

 

[blackers92]

Yeah it was that calculator. Interesting! I haven't been on here for a few months, come back and find that its being blocked!!

I was unsure on the loaches as I have kept Yoyos before and noticed that they loved space and grew quite large. I have a soft spot for them as they were my first fish I ever kept so I was wondering how their smaller brothers would fare.

As for the Corydora I was a little hesitant about them as the tank is not sand (aquasoil). I will only have one species of mid-top level inhabitant (probably based on availability). I have never kept Ottos as I have read so many reports of them dying easily, but I guess I'll give them a shot. Should I stock it with either "Hyphessobrycon amandae" or "Danio margaritatus" first, let it mature for a bit and then introduce the Otocinclus? My tank is already cycled, however I am going to do a rescape from scratch and have read that introducing them into a tank with a little bit of algae can be beneficial.

Appreciate more opinions!

 

[KittyKat]

Yeah it was that calculator. Interesting! I haven't been on here for a few months, come back and find that its being blocked!!

I think that it's been like that for at least a year now. I, for one, am glad that it is not advertised.

I was unsure on the loaches as I have kept Yoyos before and noticed that they loved space and grew quite large. I have a soft spot for them as they were my first fish I ever kept so I was wondering how their smaller brothers would fare.

Most loaches have pretty similar behaviour and all appreciate their space

As for the Corydora I was a little hesitant about them as the tank is not sand (aquasoil). I will only have one species of mid-top level inhabitant (probably based on availability). I have never kept Ottos as I have read so many reports of them dying easily, but I guess I'll give them a shot. Should I stock it with either "Hyphessobrycon amandae" or "Danio margaritatus" first, let it mature for a bit and then introduce the Otocinclus? My tank is already cycled, however I am going to do a rescape from scratch and have read that introducing them into a tank with a little bit of algae can be beneficial.

I'd prefer to have Corys on sand, and same goes for any Erethistes (Hara).

From what I understand, Otos mainly die of starvation as they almost always need supplementary foods. This is why it is recommended that they are introduced to an algae covered tank: most people do not bother target feeding them. Do some more research about this, and you should find that as long as water quality is good, they are (drip) acclimatised properly, are fed right from the start and you are able to get healthy specimens (many in shops are not), you should be able to get them relatively early on. Of course, stock slowly or what every is appropriate for the tank, etc.

Does Aquasoil release ammonia? If yes, you should probably let the tank sit fishless until the filter and plants can keep ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm.