Stocking 33 gal

[Griz]

I am looking for advice on stocking a recently aquired 33 gal tank. (36x12x18) In the past I have kept community tanks and smaller Africans in my 20 gal (now occupied by my son's small bluegill which he caught in the local creek) I have always wanted to try some NW cichlids so this is my chance to do it. Can my new 33 gal handle 2 pairs/groups of different dwarf species or am I better off sticking with just one? If it is possible to keep more than one, what suggestions do you have for me that are fairly easy to obtain and keep, and would get along? I would like to round out the tank with a group of tetras and perhaps a couple cories or other smaller bottom feeders. Suggestions on those would be appreciated as well. The setup will have plenty of plants, driftwood and rocks.

Thanks in advance and congratulations on a great site!

 

[parker313]

With a 33 gallon, you could do 2 pairs of rams, if you made sure there were lots of plants and decorations to kinda make 2 territories; it might be pushing it a bit. The downside to that is that I don't know if it's wise to keep cories with rams who may breed. If the rams breed, they could make very short work of any nosy cories. Maybe a festivum pair and a ram pair? I don't know that much about festivums though...

 

[digital_run]

Keyholes are nice peaceful fish with lots personality...they would do fine in a 33.

 

[Griz]

Rams and Keyholes were two that I had looked at as possibilites. Would they be compatable? Any of the Apistos appeal to me as well. I'll have to see what's available near me, nearest good shop is a half hour drive away

I originally wanted a pair of Firemouths, but I decided that keeping a school of tetras with them wouldn't be workable in a tank that size. If anyone thinks it could be done I'd be interested to hear what they have to say.

Thanks for the replies. Cheers

 

[Vip]

Blue Acaras + Flags would look good.

 

[Griz]

I'm not sure that the Blue Acara would work for me, they seem a bit too large and like to dig (from what I read). I will have live plants and they sound like they may create problems. The Flag Cichlid is a great suggestion, I'm not familiar with them and from what I've read so far these seem like they may be a good fit for me and may be OK with Rams/Keyholes/Apistos/Festivum and a school of tetras. I would love to hear from anyone who has tried any of these combinations in a 33 gal tank.

I've been doing a lot of reading here, what a great resource! I won't be getting anything for a couple more weeks so keep the suggestons coming.

Cheers

 

[Griz]

I've decided on a community tank with a trio of Apistogramma Cacatuoides (1m/2f). A school of 8 neons and 4 corys are in the tank now. Well planted and rock & driftwood. Should be ready for the Apistos in another week or two. Four ottos will be added a week or so later.

Cheers

 

[freddyk]

Good choice Griz, small fish for a small tank is the best way to go, IMO. Personaly I'd double the amount of neon's, but it sounds good.

 

[Griz]

Actually, I was thinking about adding another 8 neons as well.

A. Cacatuoides looks like a really interesting fish, I'm looking forward to them. They should do nicely in a 33 gal community tank.

 

[thapsus]

How about umbrella cichlid. Mine a just adorable, always intrested about the world outside the aquarium. There's times I don't know whos watching who

thapsus

 

[Griz]

Your Umbrella cichlids (Apistogramma borellii?) are beautiful and so is your tank. Very much like what I want to create myself! The reason I chose A.Cacatuoides because it is recommended as a good one for a first timer with apistos and because there is a tank full of young ones at a lfs. Researching the Umbrella cichlid, it seems that it may be a good choice too since they seem to be able to handle a little higher pH than many of the other apistos. My water is 7.5 out of the tap but I hopeto be able to get that down to 7.0 with the driftwood and filtering with peat. I'm going to give the tank another couple of weeks before adding my cichlids and will be visiting the shops in my area to see what else is available to me. I will keep an eye out for the Umbrella as well, they are beautiful.

 

[Griz]

Just though I would post the conclusion to the story. I purchased a trio of A. cacatuoides, 1m/2f. Amazing fish! I couldn't be happier with them, they have tons of personality and are fascinating to watch. They are young, just slightly over an inch long and have settled in very nicely. So far they share their 33gal tank with 16 neons and 4 corydoras. I will likely add some ottos at some point down the road and perhaps a smaller school of another small tetra or dwarf pencilfish. There wasn't much to choose from around here, these young cacs were the only apistos I could find and I had to drive 60 miles to get them.

 

[mwm]

Get a nice pair of pink convicts!

 

[Griz]

moved

 

[Griz]

HERE