Stock For 64Ltr Fish Box

[cornishlass]

Its a long way off yet, when i come back from a 2 week holiday in may I will be stocking my planted tank, I will be starting the tank this week and doing fishless cycling. But I want to have an idea of what to stock it with and how many of each.

I have been told the following fish will be suitable but I don’t fully trust the fish shop

Danios
Guppys
Mollys
shrimp
small plec
x ray tetra (all tetra)

 

[FishAreFriendsNotFood10]

... the only plec you should look at is a bristlenose plec though as they do not get very big (i think lol)

also suitable: honey/dwarf gourami
panda/pygmy corydoras
small rasboras


i personally would have 1 or 2 centerpiece fish, a group of schooling fish and a group of bottom dwellers so your tank always seems busy and active

 

[Carlovel1]

Danios Not suitable for your tank
Guppys Fine
Mollys Not suitable for your tank
shrimp Fine
small plec Depends on what species
x ray tetra (all tetra) Fine

You could do something like this:
2 Honey Gouramis
8 X Ray Tetra
5 Otos (need mature tank though)
5 Cherry Shrimp

 

[cornishlass]

Thanks, can i ask why no danio or mollys? The fish shops really seem to push these

 

[KittyKat]

* danios: most are too active for 65 litres.. Danio margaritatus is basically your only easily available option
* guppies: ok
* mollies: too large
* shrimp: ok
* small plec: too large, go for 5-6 Otocinclus or 6 dwarf Corys (if you have sand)
* tetras: strongly recommend you stick to smaller tetras.. look at ember tetras, neons, that sort of size.. there are a lot of tetras who would be on the too large side of things

So, this is the stocking I would recommend that you start with:
* 8 ember tetras OR espei rasboras OR male guppies
* some cherry shrimp
* 6 Otos OR dwarf Corys

..and maybe you could add a honey gourami or suchlike later and there may be space for more of the same species from the first list.

Edit: Carlovel1 beat me to it

 

[cornishlass]

* danios: most are too active for 65 litres.. Danio margaritatus is basically your only easily available option
* guppies: ok
* mollies: too large
* shrimp: ok
* small plec: too large, go for 5-6 Otocinclus or 6 dwarf Corys (if you have sand)
* tetras: strongly recommend you stick to smaller tetras.. look at ember tetras, neons, that sort of size.. there are a lot of tetras who would be on the too large side of things

So, this is the stocking I would recommend that you start with:
* 8 ember tetras OR espei rasboras OR male guppies
* some cherry shrimp
* 6 Otos OR dwarf Corys

..and maybe you could add a honey gourami or suchlike later and there may be space for more of the same species from the first list.

Edit: Carlovel1 beat me to it

Thank you

Barbs were the other fish recommended, only now remembered the name lol.


I do like the idea of having some bottom fish, and a group schooling of fish and a centre fish , what would be a nice centre peace fish?

 

[FishAreFriendsNotFood10]

I'd consider a honey gourami as a centerpiece fish lovely fish i have 6 hehe

barbs require alot of swimming space and have aggressive sides

 

[cornishlass]

I'd consider a honey gourami as a centerpiece fish lovely fish i have 6 hehe

barbs require alot of swimming space and have aggressive sides

Thanks, i will have to look up pics of them

 

[Carlovel1]

You may even be able to house a male Betta if you pick peaceful tank mates

 

[cornishlass]

You may even be able to house a male Betta if you pick peaceful tank mates

Really? I would love a male betta, I think they are stunning, so what would be best with them?

 

[Carlovel1]

You could do this:
1 male Betta
6 Hengeli Rasbora
5 Otos (need mature tank though)
5 Cherry Shrimp