Same Old Question - Stocking levels?

[Fawke]

Hello ppl,

I had recently posted a thread about getting some congo tetra's to my tank in my sig (35Uk Gal).
The basic answer was, no because they need to be kept in groups of 4-5 and that will make you overstocked.....

So, what are your thoughts on my stocking levels and how can i get some mid-high water fish to balance my tank up a bit.... what fish?

Thanks for any advice/opinions....


EDIT - Since my kribs are breeding bottom space has been a problem for the pictus. For this reason one of the pictus will be going back to the LFS so they are not "on top" of each other.
The fry will also be going into my QT/Hospital/Rearing tank when old enough.

 

[CFC]

I voted not to get anymore fish but then realised that it is a 35 UK gallon tank and not the standard unit used on forums which is the US gallon and makes things completely different. You could get away with a largish sized tetra species such as Buenos Aires tetras or black widows which will be too large for the pictus to swallow but small enough to still keep a small group of 5 or 6 fish.

For future refference will all people please use the US gallon to make giving stocking advice easier, the dimensons of the tank are useful too as the shape of the tank can increase or decrease the ammount of fish a tank can hold.

 

[Fawke]

Sorry about that CFC ) -
I thought as the forum was UK based (ish), it would be easier to reference UK Gallons....

Tank Details:

42 Gallons (US/Forum Gallons)
30" x 18" x 18"
Eheim Classic 2213 Cannister w/ Kent nitrate removal media

Weekly 25-30% water changes

Apologies once more

 

[CFC]

Its ok but you can see that that 7 gallons can make a hell of a difference to the stocking capacity of a tank.
The dimensions of your tank are its best asset as it is as wide from front to back rather than tall and thin, wider tanks give a better surface area which allows a greater stocking capacity than taller tanks, working on the 1" of fish per 10 square inches of surface area rule your tank actually allows for a upper limit of 54" of fish.

 

[Fawke]

Thanks CFC, as your a mod you can retract your vote

Does that mean a shoal of congo's (4) is not out of the question then?

 

[CFC]

The problem with congo tetras is that they are a fish that like to swim almost continually so the 30" length isnt really suitable, a 36x18" tank would be the minimum i'd recomend as a permament home and though 6" doesnt seem like much when you consider that it is a extra two body lengths for the fish it does make a difference, also like nearly all tetras they do really need to be in groups of 6 of more. The Amazonian tetras seem much less inclined to travel then their African counterparts and so can do better in a smaller tank and there are many species which grow to a suitable pictus friendly size.

 

[Fawke]

Cheers for that. Il go and look into what species i like the look of. Be it tetra's or something else suitable, and then il post back here for confirmation....

A note to others - I nearly got talked into buying those congo's....
For other weak minded beginners like me - do your research before impulse buying.... do not trust your LFS to give you good advice..... they are usually after a quick buck.... ££££££

 

[Fawke]

CFC - What about Cardinal Tetra's??? For the research i have done on thm they seem too big for the Pictus (2") and are a nice colourful fish....
What are their requirements like?

 

[CFC]

Adult cardinal tetras would probably be ok, although i must admit that its not a combination i would want to try, pictus cats have suprisingly large mouths for a small fish. The trouble you will have is finding cardinals of a safe size, most of the ones ive seen recently have been smaller than neons and would easily fall prey to 4 inch pictus cats. I would certainly be looking at a fish with a taller body shape which would make it difficult if not impossible for the pictus to get their mouths around them. Have you considered bleeding heart tetras?

 

[Fawke]

Yea, they sound interesting.... il look into them - what you reckon, a group of 3-4?

You know what i mean tho dont you, i just want something to pretty up the tank, what with all those pictus in there (which are "my" fish ).... You know the score.....

Those pictus shouldnt grow much more than 4-5" though right? I have heard differing views on how big they'll grow....

 

[CFC]

Pictus cats generally dont grow larger than 6" in captivity though larger specimins would not be impossible in a huge tank, in the wild 12" pictus cats are not uncommon.

 

[cometcattle]

A friend of mine had 2 pictus cats in his 55g. He bought 6 jumbo Cardinal tetras to add to the 55g. He paid $5.99 each for the Cards.

The next morning he had 0 Cardinal tetras and 2 very fat pictus cats.

He said that in his hungover state, the 2 pictus cats appeared to be smiling at him.

 

[Ben]

For future refference will all people please use the US gallon to make giving stocking advice easier, the dimensons of the tank are useful too as the shape of the tank can increase or decrease the ammount of fish a tank can hold.

i also thought we were using UK gals,!!!

so i could probably have more fish!!!

gotta change it now

 

[Fawke]

Hey CFC,

I have done a bit of research and i reckon 4-5 Bleeding hearts would go down ok.
What you reckon CFC, as you recommended them to me?

My GF likes them, but also likes Zebra and Giant danios, are there any issues with them in my tank if i changed my mind about the tetras?

Thanks again

 

[CFC]

I recon the 4 or 5 bleeding hearts would work just fine. Giant danios need a bit more swimming room than a 30" tank provides and zebras would make lovely pictus snacks.