Rio180 Stocking

[pompeydaz]

Hi people I keep changing my mind with what to put in my tank when cycled. I was going to go with some betta's but the females are boring and two males mean fighting.

I've had acouple of angel fish before, was wondering about having 4 angel fish, 4 gourami and 6-10 tetras or something? I've got white gravel, and alot of rocks at the back of the tank with 4 big(expensive) fake plants in the tank.

What do you sugguest? Its a 200ltr tank by the way. Thanks

PS: I think I saw something saying dark gravel with angels is better? Ive got 4 guppies my mates looking after, so could put them in mine to start getting the bacteria back on as well.

 

[KittyKat]

Volume: ca. 180 litres; dimensions: 101 x 41 x 50 cm.

I found that male Bettas actually don't move or interact with their environment as much as females do.

Angels.. I am one of those people who feel that angels should be kept in groups of 6+ when possible, only in tanks over 4ft long and 2ft tall. Why? Because I used to keep them and they did not have enough room to move well, in smaller tanks. Also if a couple pair up in a tank that small, they will probably kill the others very quickly.

For a tank that size, I would recommend the following:
* 15-25 under 5cm schooling fish of one species (harlequin rasboras, neons, cardinals, rummynose tetras, etc)
* 1m 5f honey gourami or 6-10+ sparkling gourami or 2m 2f dayi gourami
* 1m 2-3f Apistgramma

I think sand or fine dark gravel work best, it's a matter of personal preference. The colour will affect the colour of the fish, but it would be impossible to say "this or that one is always better".

 

[pompeydaz]

I've not even heard of a Apistgramma before you mentioned it, just seen a bright yellow one that looks good.

I love the blue emperor tetras, would 15-25 be good with them?

What about small angel fish? Been on auquatics to you door(dont know if any good) and they stock small angels, would they get alot bigger?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I have a platinum Angel in my Rio180 and it is fine, I have only had them on their own tho so am not sure about more than 1, i wouldnt go above 2 tbh.

I also have 8 neon tetras, 4 blue rams and 4 corys so im a little understocked, but thats just how I like it...

Ive had dwarf gouramis, mollys, platies and they are all fine.

The best advice I can give is to be patient when stocking your new tank as I sort of fully stocked mine and then was disapointed when I saw fish in the shop I liked lol, always leave a little space for something.

 

[pompeydaz]

Im sure I saw something saying you should have around 4 angels not just 1 or a pair. can anyone confirm this?

 

[KittyKat]

1, pair and 6+ angels are the numbers they can be kept in:
* 1, I feel is a bad idea because they work better in groups
* a paired up couple works, but can wreak havoc in the tank
* 6+ will not fit in a 180 litre tank no mater how you look at it, they should have 5-6+*2*2 ft tank

I still feel that angels will not fit in your tank because there just isn't physically enough space for them to grow to their full size.. and stunted fish normally have plenty of problems. Most well looked after angels will get to 10-12" tall (fin to fin) and have a body which is 4-6 inches is size. Baby fish do grow.

Yes, Apistogramma species are compatible with emperor tetras. I think 15 would be the best number of emperors to start with and then work up to 20 or 25 if you feel they don't look too crowded.

 

[pompeydaz]

Ok cool cheers for that, I will sack off the Angels and go for the other ones. Cheers