New Tank - Compatibility?

[ShaniB]

Hey Everyone!
I have had a little five gallon tank for about 6 months with fancy guppies in it, and I am now buying a thirty gallon tank from a friend that only has a plecostamus in it. I have been doing a lot of research, but the more I find out, the less I know! I want to have a tank with bright, beautiful fish, but one that has compatible fish as well. Does anyone have suggestions for groups of fish that would go well together in this size of tank? I have found that I like (but am willing to change, these are just some fish that struck me) the potbellied mollies, colorful Gouramis (dwarf, blue, opaline), rainbow sharks, and some peacocks and cichlids, although I haven't found many that can handle the smaller size of my tank. Do you guys ahve any suggestions of ideas of different fish that I might not have mentioned, or good combinations?
Thank you!
Shani

 

[Assaye]

Mollies and smaller (dwarf) cichlids are a fine size. Some dwarf gouramis are also a good option, if you can get good stock (they often have diseases).

Some gouramis will get to big. In a regular 30 gallon, your biggest fish should be 4-5 inches (if active) or 6 inches (if a more sedate mover). Plecs can be a little larger as some are very inactive but you don't want a plec that will be more than 8 inches as an adult.

How about:

4 male balloon mollies/sailfin mollies/normal mollies
1 male cockatoo apisto
6 corydoras catfish (all same species)
Plec (if it is a species that gets no bigger than 8 inches)
8 shoaling fish (I'd recommend harlequin rasboras or black neon tetras as good fish for relative beginners but you just want a shoaler that doesn't get larger than about 2 inches)

I say all male mollies as it totally removes the possibility of babies. Some may feel there will be aggression problems, though, so get advice on that. I've kept male swordtals together and they are fine. The apiso is a colourful dwarf cichlid and would be a nice centre piece. I would urge you to get an ID on the plec - the most common plecs are actually species that while cheap and easy to get hold of, are also 12"-24" as adults and need very big tanks.

When it comes to setting up the tank, just have a read through the stuff here. Your tank should be cycled but it will take you through testing kits and tank maintainence, as well as stocking.

 

[ShaniB]

Thanks Assaye!
The cockatoo apisto looks awesome. After a bit more research, here is what I was thinking:

4 or 5 balloon mollies/sailfin mollies
4 or 5 platies
1 male cockatoo apisto
Plec
3 dwarf gouramis

I might go with swordfish or the corydoras catfish instead of the platies, but right now I am liking the platies better. Any recommendations? Also, will I be okay with all males of the dwarf gouramis, and maybe the mollies and platies? Will the gouramis get along with the cockatoo apisto? I was also considering one Angel, but I am waffling on it, whether it will get along with everything and whatnot.
Thanks!
Shani

 

[Quisty]

I always prefer angelfish^^ I know some people will say they are a smidge aggressive..but I've never personally had an issue with this.

Swordtails are pretty fish too.

 

[bubble87]

Mollies and smaller (dwarf) cichlids are a fine size. Some dwarf gouramis are also a good option, if you can get good stock (they often have diseases).

Some gouramis will get to big. In a regular 30 gallon, your biggest fish should be 4-5 inches (if active) or 6 inches (if a more sedate mover). Plecs can be a little larger as some are very inactive but you don't want a plec that will be more than 8 inches as an adult.

How about:

4 male balloon mollies/sailfin mollies/normal mollies
1 male cockatoo apisto
6 corydoras catfish (all same species)
Plec (if it is a species that gets no bigger than 8 inches)
8 shoaling fish (I'd recommend harlequin rasboras or black neon tetras as good fish for relative beginners but you just want a shoaler that doesn't get larger than about 2 inches)

I say all male mollies as it totally removes the possibility of babies. Some may feel there will be aggression problems, though, so get advice on that. I've kept male swordtals together and they are fine. The apiso is a colourful dwarf cichlid and would be a nice centre piece. I would urge you to get an ID on the plec - the most common plecs are actually species that while cheap and easy to get hold of, are also 12"-24" as adults and need very big tanks.

When it comes to setting up the tank, just have a read through the stuff here. Your tank should be cycled but it will take you through testing kits and tank maintainence, as well as stocking.

mollies are brackish and require some salt added

 

[BethK]

Mollies are tropical that prefer to have a bit of salt, they do not have to have it. Although they can adapt to diff levels, they say teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon is recommended for optimum health but it's not a 'have to'. Which means they are not brackish, as B's need salt

 

[ian]

don't go adding salt to an aquarium unless you know why you adding salt. Mollies do fine without salt.

 

[Assaye]

4 or 5 balloon mollies/sailfin mollies
4 or 5 platies
1 male cockatoo apisto
Plec
3 dwarf gouramis

If you get dwarf gouramis, get one male or one male and a female. Not sure how well they do in mixed-sex trios but I'm pretty sure three males will squabble.

With platies and mollies, get all males. Even all females could give you babies as they can store sperm from when they wre in the shop with males.

Mollies and smaller (dwarf) cichlids are a fine size. Some dwarf gouramis are also a good option, if you can get good stock (they often have diseases).

Some gouramis will get to big. In a regular 30 gallon, your biggest fish should be 4-5 inches (if active) or 6 inches (if a more sedate mover). Plecs can be a little larger as some are very inactive but you don't want a plec that will be more than 8 inches as an adult.

How about:

4 male balloon mollies/sailfin mollies/normal mollies
1 male cockatoo apisto
6 corydoras catfish (all same species)
Plec (if it is a species that gets no bigger than 8 inches)
8 shoaling fish (I'd recommend harlequin rasboras or black neon tetras as good fish for relative beginners but you just want a shoaler that doesn't get larger than about 2 inches)

I say all male mollies as it totally removes the possibility of babies. Some may feel there will be aggression problems, though, so get advice on that. I've kept male swordtals together and they are fine. The apiso is a colourful dwarf cichlid and would be a nice centre piece. I would urge you to get an ID on the plec - the most common plecs are actually species that while cheap and easy to get hold of, are also 12"-24" as adults and need very big tanks.

When it comes to setting up the tank, just have a read through the stuff here. Your tank should be cycled but it will take you through testing kits and tank maintainence, as well as stocking.

mollies are brackish and require some salt added

The jury is out on this one, actually. They thrive in a lightly brackish environment but they also thrive in freshwater that has a high pH and high mineral content.