Restocking...

[PRW1988]

So, as some of you may know, or may not know, my Blood parrot and convict have bred, they were in my 55gallon tank, and they seemed to be getting along fine with the other fish even though they had babies. Well, I went away last weekend to my friends trailor, I came home to find one of my Angelfish dead , I come home from work last night and... ANOTHER ANGEL FISH IS DEAD, I've removed the blood parrot and convict to a 10gallon tank until I can either re-home them, or set-up a tank just for them.

But, my tank stock has now gone low enough that I need to restock...

My current stock is

2 Angel fish (1 is 4", the other is 2")
1 RTBS
1 Senegal Bichir(10")
1 BN Pleco
1 Clown Pleco
1 Whiptail catfish
1 Gibby Pleco (I know they get huge, he's still about 3-4", a pond is being built later this month so he'll go in there, even at this size.)
1 Rubber lip pleco (holding for a friend)
1 Pictus Catfish
2 African Clown Catfish

So, as you can tell I have a lot of bottom dwelers, and few guys that actually swim in my tank... I'm going to be adding a couple more Angels more than likly, but I was wondering what kind of PEACEFUL, but large enough not to be eaten by my Senegal, shoaling fish would be nice and suitable for this tank?

I was thinking of getting another Pictus Catfish aswell, and for the shoaling fish, something like Congo Tetras. Any other types of shoaling fish that would be okay that anybody can think of please post.

 

[orange shark]

if thats a 55 gallon that looks freakishly overstocked to me! (well maybe not freakishly)

 

[PRW1988]

It's a bit overstocked due to the Plecos, however remember that if you're going by the rule of thumb (1" of fish per gallon of water) then don't, I highly doubt that Angel fish that grow to 6" in length would be happy in a 6 gallon tank...

Most of the plecs are being rehomed as stated, the BN and the Clown pleco will be the only 2 remaing in my tank, the rubber nosed plec is for a friend, and the Gibby is going to my pond (when built in late august)

Also, calculating by the rule of thumb, (1" of fish per gallon on water) I only have 38" right now.

 

[stang1]

Really sorry to hear about the loss of your fish.
I'd get at least 2 more Pictus catfish as they do a lot better in groups.
Congo Tetras are a beautiful fish and will make use of all the tank. Ours are about 3" and occasionally have a "race" along our tank which is 5ft.
We keep ours with Bleeding Heart Tetras, Ticto Barbs, Pentazona Barbs and a pair of Keyhole Cichlids. We have no problems with aggression and in the evening it's great watching all the Barbs shoal together.

 

[PRW1988]

I personally love barbs, however with Angels I find that they'll be a little bit nippy, as the shoal of gold barbs was originally...

I was doing some research and found out about the Pictus cats needing friends, I never realeasized it before, but it does explain why my Pictus is always hiding in the cave... I'll be getting 2-4 more Pictus catfish, and the 2 more Angels for sure... as for the Congos using the whole tank... that sounds perfect I may pick up some of those tonight or tomorrow night aswell.

 

[stang1]

You'll probably find that the Pictus become more active in a group and end up having a friendly "play" with each other. Make sure they have plenty of hiding spaces as they can end up fighting for the same place.
Ticto Barbs and Pentazona Barbs are one of the few Barb species that don't nip, very peaceful and can be quite active.
Congo Tetras are also fine but are best kept with similar sized fish and nothing too small. They certainly are a beautiful addition to the tank.
Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[PRW1988]

Thanks much, turns out my parents got home too late tonight, so no fish for now but I'll get some by the end of this week I'll let everybody know how the new additions turn out when I get them, and I'll also get pictures up