is this a good stock?

[fishiemama18]

40 gallon breeder
4 bolivian rams (will be prepared to return 1-2 if pairings do not work)
1 dwarf gourami
9 pygmy cory (maybe panda or albino)
5 platy
7 rummy nose tetra
5 glowlight danio

Iffy on the danios, what is another active fish I could add and would do good in a group of no more than 7?

thanks

 

[Byron]

I would not have some of these together. First off, what are your source water parameters (GH and pH)?

While waiting for those, to the issues. Four Bolivian Rams will not work in this small a tank [40g breeder I assume is 36 X18 by 15 inches, being length/width/height]. A single BR, or a bonded pair, but nothing else with this species. I will explain bonded pair if asked.

Dwarf gourami...leave this out. First, gourami and cichlids are not good tankmates and second the DG is still risky with respect to the non-treatable iridovirus.

Glowlight Danio (Danio choprae) needs a larger group; six is often the suggested minimum, but this species is small and like most small shoaling species will always be in better health with larger groups. Males are also territorial, though not as aggressively so as say the Bolivian Ram, but larger groups like 8-9 help with this aspect too.

Pygmy cory...a few more would help if you select this species. One aspect here though is the Bolivian Ram...being a substrate feeder like cories, the BR may get annoyed with the pesky cories especially at feeding time. Larger species (like the panda) tend to shrug this off, but the more delicate pygmy might not and could be on the losing end of this stick. I had a BR in my 5-foot 115g tank, and he without question owned the entire space, and had no qualms about pushing cories aside when they were after "his" tablet or pellet.

I would leave the platies out since all the other species here are soft water and some even blackwater. The GH/pH will help decide this, but if the GH is on the soft side which it should be for the BR and rummys especially, platies will not last long.

 

[fishiemama18]

The tank is empty, haven't even began to cycle it. I'm only dreaming up my community, ya know? I will be moving into a house in about a month so I don't want to set anything else up at the moment.

Why do you say that the BR and gourami will not make good tank mates? From the research I've done, they are both pretty docile and will inhabit different areas of the tank. I would consider a different gourami and a single BR, however I was under the impression they do better in pairs.

What can I stock to replace the danios and the platy? Preferably two different species.

 

[Byron]

Why do you say that the BR and gourami will not make good tank mates? From the research I've done, they are both pretty docile and will inhabit different areas of the tank. I would consider a different gourami and a single BR, however I was under the impression they do better in pairs.

Cichlids and gourami are very similar in temperament and behaviours. Males are territorial; this varies with the species, and sometimes individual fish, but in general (there are always exceptions) it is best not to have both together.

The Bolivian Ram is believed to live in isolation, except when spawning, according to observations in the habitat. It is one of the most ideal single cichlids for a community tank. A pair is fine if they bond. Males and females must select each other, or one will likely not live very long. Observations of the males and females in a group such as in the store tank is the best way to find a likely bonding pair. Discerning gender in juvenile fish is not really possible except by observing behaviours.

My last Bolivian was in his ninth year when he died, which is pretty good for a fish with a normal life expectancy of four or maybe five years. I introduced a female, and this was in the 5-foot tank, and they spawned three times before he turned and killed her. I subsequently learned of the bonding aspect, and in hindsight the sometimes unusual interactions back and forth would now be obvious signs that things were not going to end well.

What can I stock to replace the danios and the platy? Preferably two different species.

I need too know the parameters before suggesting species...but if on the soft side or even moderately hard, the danios would be OK with a few more.

 

[fishiemama18]

Actually, I think I will scratch the danio and platy idea completely. Up the rummy nose tetras to maybe 15?

 

[fishiemama18]

So either one BR or one gourami? Hmm, what is an attractive centerpiece fish that I can have more than one of?

 

[Byron]

So either one BR or one gourami? Hmm, what is an attractive centerpiece fish that I can have more than one of?

With only gourami and not the BR, you have some options. A trio of Honey Gourami (one male, two females). Or the beautiful Pearl Gourami, Trichopodus leerii, also a trio of one male and two females. It is advisable to have two females as males can get pushy in small tanks.

One thing to keep in mind...temperature. Gourami like warmth, something cories do not appreciate. Pygmy and panda should be no warmer than 75-76F (24C).

Actually, I think I will scratch the danio and platy idea completely. Up the rummy nose tetras to maybe 15?

Yes, this is a tetra that is definitely much better with more.

 

[Colin_T]

You could start your filter cycling now before you move. Have the filter connected to a bucket of water and cycle it with ammonia. Then by the time it comes to moving, the filter will be pretty close to cycled and you should be able to set the tank up with an established filter when you move.