Room For More Tank Matess?

[edinburgh10]

Hi,

I've had my tank up and running for 2 months now. So far I have…

9 neon tetras
6 harlequin rasboras
6 peppered corys
1 bristlenose place (the variety I have will grow to about 5 inches apparently)

My tank is 125 litres, 80cm width.

Everything seems to be going well and I was thinking about adding maybe 4 guppies, or something similar. Do you think that I would be close to over stocking the tank if I do? There certainly looks like there is room but the tetras and rasboras aren't fully grown so I'm not sure.

 

[symon_say]

Guppies breeds like crazy, you tank will be really overstock in a short time if you put guppies in.

 

[moochy13]

check out my stock in my tank, in my signature. my tank is about 130ish L i think, it might be a bit overstocked but my water is perfect so im pushing it. as mentioned though, you dont just buy 4 guppies - you buy 4 guppies and probability to have many, many more.

 

[edinburgh10]

check out my stock in my tank, in my signature. my tank is about 130ish L i think, it might be a bit overstocked but my water is perfect so im pushing it. as mentioned though, you dont just buy 4 guppies - you buy 4 guppies and probability to have many, many more.

Yeah I have a friend with a guppy breeding problem just now, so probably best to avoid them. Thanks for the advice. Any suggestions for a good tank mate? I definitely don't want to add fish which might be aggressive, but I would like to add something else for a bit more interest.

 

[Aqua Tom]

How about a pair of apistogrammas? lovely little fish & will not add too much to the bioload

 

[AstonN24vantage]

just a little worried 'cause apistos are semi-aggresive

 

[kizno1]

I think you need 1 or 2 centre piece fish. You could have a pair of Honey gouramis, Dwarf gourami, Dwarf flag cichlids, Rams, Keyholes, Red breasted acara or a trio of Apisto or a small group of Sparkling gourami or cheackerboad cichlids.

just a little worried 'cause apistos are semi-aggresive

I wouldnt really call Apisto aggressive especially not as cichlids go. If they spawn then they will chase fish away from there caves but then thats just to protect there fry there not trying to kill the other fish just get it to move away.

 

[AstonN24vantage]

in my experience they have been slight fin nippers, all im worried about. not saying they're aggressive. they just have the tendency to nip fins occasionally.

 

[kizno1]

in my experience they have been slight fin nippers, all im worried about. not saying they're aggressive. they just have the tendency to nip fins occasionally.

Fair enough. Ive never had a problem with fin nipping and ive kept them with female bettas and angelfish but suppose every fish is different.

 

[AstonN24vantage]

all cichlids are different.

 

[edinburgh10]

I think you need 1 or 2 centre piece fish. You could have a pair of Honey gouramis, Dwarf gourami, Dwarf flag cichlids, Rams, Keyholes, Red breasted acara or a trio of Apisto or a small group of Sparkling gourami or cheackerboad cichlids.

I agree that I need a "centre piece" fish(es). I was initially very interested in adding a couple of cichlids or dwarf gouramis but I was warned off by someone who works at my local shop. According to him cichlids are almost always aggressive (especially since my tank is full of pretty timid fish) and he also said that dwarf gouramis should not be bought unless they are wild caught (due to captive breed fish being pumped up with antibiotics).

Being a novice, I guess I just took his word for it. But it's interesting that you guys think I could get some of the fish suggested. I would absolutely love to add a couple of Rams or apistos. Unfortunately I haven't seen many of these species available to buy at my local shop. Is it worth looking at purchasing fish online (I'm not sure how reliable it is within the UK?)

Thanks for all your help. Much appreciated.

 

[kizno1]

#
I agree that I need a "centre piece" fish(es). I was initially very interested in adding a couple of cichlids or dwarf gouramis but I was warned off by someone who works at my local shop. According to him cichlids are almost always aggressive (especially since my tank is full of pretty timid fish) and he also said that dwarf gouramis should not be bought unless they are wild caught (due to captive breed fish being pumped up with antibiotics).

Being a novice, I guess I just took his word for it. But it's interesting that you guys think I could get some of the fish suggested. I would absolutely love to add a couple of Rams or apistos. Unfortunately I haven't seen many of these species available to buy at my local shop. Is it worth looking at purchasing fish online (I'm not sure how reliable it is within the UK?)

Thanks for all your help. Much appreciated.

Some cichlids are very aggressive but cichlids like rams and apisto are perfect for community tanks dont get me wrong when protecting fry they will give a good fight but they dont go around looking for one like it sounds like your LFS has made them out to be. Never heard about that with gouramis before. I would say tank bred once are better if anything because they are more tolerant to water conditions and less likely to have parasites and bits. I think quite a few people have brought apisto of ebay on here but i cant remember the persons name people normally get them of im sure some one will be able to help you out with that.
Or you could get them from wildwoods which do delivery although the fish are very expensive from there
http/www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/stores_products.asp?type=Fish&fish=&store=54&cat=108

Or Wholesale Tropicals which are alot cheaper
http/www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/stores_products.asp?type=Fish&fish=&store=6&cat=252

If it was me i would be tempted to go for 4-5 cheakerboard cichlids because they look great in groups and your likely to get a breeding pair if your water quality is good
http/www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/stores_productsinfo.asp?store=6&prod=2666