Is This A Good Setup For My New Tank?

[Mr Melt]

Basically what the title says;

I've been posting an awful lot on the forums recently, but I have done a bit of research for my tank (Juwel Rio 180) and after much thought this is my final setup for the tank;

- x2 Angelfish
- x2 Electric Blue Rams
- x1 Opaline Gourami
- x1 Banded Gourami
- x2 Dwarf Gouramis
- x6 Congo Tetras
- x1 Snowball Pleco

Is this ok? What do you lads think?

 

[Mr Melt]

Anyone?

 

[mattlee]

if it were me i would go for the following -

- x2 Angelfish
- x2 Electric Blue Rams
- x1 Snowball Pleco
- x20+ Cardinal tetra

ive never had a gourami that was a nice fish. by this i mean that everyone ive had has been a complete nasty piece of work even the dwarf ones. my angels were constantly getting nipped and fins torn by the gourami and ive never had one since.....

also i think congo tetras might be a bit active and get a bit too big for a rio 180 and would cram the top half of the tank up with the angels and gouramis. so my choice would be cardinal tetras, they are a stunning fish that look amazing in large numbers and if not too small will be fine with angels.

i would also keep species numbers down as tanks can easily look like a mish mash of different fish. i know the different colours etc of the fish will seem great in your vision but too much can ruin the look of a tank. bigger groups of same species fish always look better than 1 of these and 1 of them etc in my eyes.

maybe add a group of nice corys to keep the bottom more active as i doubt you will see the pleco at all.

 

[AmazonFTW]

I think Mattlee is completely right.

As to the species of Corydoras, I would say Sterbai are a great choice.

AmazonFTW

 

[soybean]

You obviously prefer stand alone fish as opposed to shoals of small ones (congos aside, but they're not exactly tiny). Personally I think you're asking for trouble with all those different gouramis AND angels.

I have a Rio 180 and probably wouldn't keep angels in it, I'd go for a taller tank if I wanted them, just my opinion.

Also, dwarf gouramis best kept as a single male or 1m to at least 2f.

If it's a bit of movement you're after by adding Congo tetras, that leaves the bottom pretty bare apart from the plec. Small group of corys maybe?

 

[minnnt]

I believe the blue rams will need a higher temperature than the others too?

Also owned a few gourami's and they can be aggressive. Worth baring in mind. Maybe honey or sparkling?

 

[Didge007]

Just putting my two sense in
I currently have a dwarf gourami male with a growing angel & the gourami can be quiet aggressive. I just put two gbr in with him & there was a fair amount of bickering(due to my lack of sight breakers I think). He is a gorgeous little fish, but just be aware I think he's responsible for the hole in my angel fishes tail

 

[Mr Melt]

UPDATE:

Slightly amended (1, taking advice from others and 2, still maintaining my favourite setup)

- x2 Angelfish
- x2 Electric Blue Rams
- x2 Opaline Gouramis
- x2 Honey Gouramis
- x6 Congo Tetras
- x1 Snowball Pleco

@Mattlee; I already have Cardinals in my 50litre; I've always liked Congo Tetras since I started at fishkeeping, so they're a must for me........

Also, Congos frequent the center of the tank, so that frees up space for competition in the upper levels.....

One thing though; the only thing I would be happy to budge on would be the Dwarf/Honey Gouramis. Can someone suggest fish of a similar size that would be good in the tank? My first thought is Bolivian Rams or Agassiz' Cichlids, but I'm not too sure.......

PS - My tank is well planted, with lots of nooks and crannys for the fish (including territory breaking things like bogwood). Would that be sufficient for the latest setup?

 

[mattlee]

you have to think about these fish as adult specimins and with angelfish, congo tetras, opaline gourami that are fully grown there will be a lack of space in a 3ft tank. congo tetras are a mid to top level fish as are gourami and angels.

if you must have congo tetras then why not make the tank all about them? maybe go for an African theme tank. i just feel that there will be too many big fish in a 3ft tank and having owned a 180 a can see it being a little crowded when the fish mature and start to get a bit bigger. they are a decent sized tank and a great tank but dont forget its still 3ft (ish) and not ideal for lots of bigger fish.

if you already have cardinals then there are loads of barb and tetra species out there to choose from. however it does sound like your not a big fan of shoals more into individual fish.

 

[soybean]

If set on angels and rams and gouramis, I would pick one type of each.

So maybe 1m and 3f honey gouramis instead of the opaline - spreading any potential m/f bullying rather than having 2.

I'd choose either electric blue or bolivian rams. Blues need a higher temp, bolivians more adaptable but not quite as pretty. I don't think you have room for two pairs especially at breeding time, however many hidey holes you have, AND because of the plec at the bottom which might get picked on whichever end of the tank it goes.

It's not like you can add everything at once anyway so might have to just see how it goes with regards to anything else.

 

[StandbySetting]

Electric Blue Rams, are M.ramirezi (Blue Rams), Bolivian Rams would be much more suited as Congo Tetra's prefer lower temperatures (23-26oC) where as Blue Rams require (28-32oC), also sand is essential when keeping Rams.

 

[ATK!!!]

Sorry to take over the thread a little but is this stocking list ok and how many should I have of each(another Juwel rio 180!):

Pair of Angels
A large shoal of Rasboras/small tetras
Bolivian Rams
Group of Corys

I will be having sand and a rather heavily planted tank but with an area or two clear for the fish to swim in. My pH wil be around 7 but what temperature shall I have it?

 

[Mr Melt]

Thanks for all your replies:

Don't get me wrong lads, I really appreciate all your input into this; its just hard to compromise on such amazing fish types =P

- x2 Angelfish
- x2 German Blue/Bolivian Rams
- x2 Opaline Gouramis
- x6 Congo Tetras
- x1 Snowball Pleco

This any better?

 

[StandbySetting]

Rule the Blue Rams out, as I said in the other post, they're not suitable to be kept with Congo Tetra's.

 

[twodoctors]

I have to agree with Matt. Personally I am moving to a "biotope" kind of setup. I know pleco and corys are S Americans but I have not been able to move them on! My plants are also not strictly Asian either...

Is your water soft and acidic enough for the blue ram? They are not cheap to buy and you don't really want to waste £10 on a fish that is destine to die in a wrong setup. With 2 Angels you have a 25% chance of getting 2 males, which could be a problem. Opaline gouramis are pretty hardy when it comes to water parameters but try to get 2 females. I have no experience with snowball pleco but if you want a pleco to clean your algae then get a bristlenose. I heard they are better at that. Most pleco are nocturnal so you may not even see it. I haven't seen my pleco for quite a while now, occasinally at night time when tank and room lights are out. A bit sad really.

Adrian