Stocking Help?

[Tathar]

Hey guys,

So my tank is cycling now, and I'm just trying to think of what to stock it with.

The tank is 11" x 12" x 12" with a bow front. That works out to about 26-27 litres. I have an Interpet PF2 filter and a gravel substrate.

I'm looking for a little variety in my tank with what space I have.

What can you guys recommend? I'd really like to get some Neon Tetra, but I'm not sure.

Thanks for the help

 

[KittyKat]

Start with 6-8 espei rasboras or ember tetras. Try some plants out, I recommend Java moss, Java fern, Anubias.

A few months later, top up to 10 of the single species fish (if you feel that they will fit). Keep experimenting with plants, try some Cabomba or Hygrophila, try making it look pleasing to the eye.

Once the plants have established, look into getting cherry shrimp.


The problem with neon tetras is that they are quite fragile. If you are determined to keep them, think about swapping the school of fish for neons once the tank is 6-9 months old.

p.s. cycle the filter! I am sure someone here already said

 

[Tathar]

Cycling now

Thanks for the tip on the plants and such. I would like neons, but I'm happy to have different tetra's instead, it all depends what I can find in the shops. Any other recommendations?

What sort of bottom feeders would be a good size?

 

[KittyKat]

I would have said 6 dwarf Corys, but they should have sand, not gravel. Otos are an option for later as well, but they can also be fragile. If you go for bottom dwellers, it might be better to avoid shrimp.

 

[Tathar]

Would a Kuhli Loach be acceptable as a bottom feeder in this size of tank?

In terms of other fish, would a Dwarf Gourami do well in this size tank? I've been reading around and trying to get information but everything I seem to find conflicts with each other. I figured it'd be best to ask here?

 

[kmur]

They always have ember tetras at my LFS - They're quite nice to look at, and probably one of the least timid fish in the store. Always come up to the glass to say 'hello!'

I've heard a few people recommend tank-raised Cardinal tetras as a replacement for neons. They look very similar, but are supposedly more hearty. I don't have first hand experience with either, though.

 

[Paradise3]

Wouldn't Red tailed rasboras or emerald eye rasboras be OK? They stay small and I have some in my 6 gallon..

Cheers,
Alessa!

 

[KittyKat]

Would a Kuhli Loach be acceptable as a bottom feeder in this size of tank?

They do best, IME, in groups of 6+ (actually, realistically, in groups of 10+), so no..

In terms of other fish, would a Dwarf Gourami do well in this size tank? I've been reading around and trying to get information but everything I seem to find conflicts with each other. I figured it'd be best to ask here?

If you want a gourami, I would go for a single honey gourami.

I've heard a few people recommend tank-raised Cardinal tetras as a replacement for neons. They look very similar, but are supposedly more hearty. I don't have first hand experience with either, though.

Although cardinals are a good replacement, I think they would be too large.. I have seen them look cramped even in a 18" tank.

 

[Tathar]

Would a Kuhli Loach be acceptable as a bottom feeder in this size of tank?

They do best, IME, in groups of 6+ (actually, realistically, in groups of 10+), so no..

In terms of other fish, would a Dwarf Gourami do well in this size tank? I've been reading around and trying to get information but everything I seem to find conflicts with each other. I figured it'd be best to ask here?

If you want a gourami, I would go for a single honey gourami.

I've heard a few people recommend tank-raised Cardinal tetras as a replacement for neons. They look very similar, but are supposedly more hearty. I don't have first hand experience with either, though.

Although cardinals are a good replacement, I think they would be too large.. I have seen them look cramped even in a 18" tank.

I like the idea of a Honey Gourami, thank you for suggeting it, just depends if I can find one in a local store anywhere. Also, I read on a site somewhere (don't think I'm allowed to mention it here?) That the minmum ammount of honey's in a tank should be 2?

Instead of the Kuhli loach, what would make a good bottom-feeder in a tank of this size, in your expeiance?

I'd like a small shoal of fish, and it seems so far that cardinals are out due to size, and tetra's would be a while off yet. What would be a better replacement?

Thanks for all the help

 

[KittyKat]

In terms of other fish, would a Dwarf Gourami do well in this size tank? I've been reading around and trying to get information but everything I seem to find conflicts with each other. I figured it'd be best to ask here?

If you want a gourami, I would go for a single honey gourami.

I like the idea of a Honey Gourami, thank you for suggeting it, just depends if I can find one in a local store anywhere. Also, I read on a site somewhere (don't think I'm allowed to mention it here?) That the minmum ammount of honey's in a tank should be 2?

Most fish do better with their own kind.. this is why if this was my tank, I would setting for only a school and a couple of others.

Instead of the Kuhli loach, what would make a good bottom-feeder in a tank of this size, in your expeiance?

I'd like a small shoal of fish, and it seems so far that cardinals are out due to size, and tetra's would be a while off yet. What would be a better replacement?

As I said before, I would have a school of espei rasboras and a group of cherry shrimp in the tank as it is now.

 

[Tathar]

Went to check the LFS today and noticed that they did have ember tetra's after all. I really do like the look of those, and would like to have some, would they be a good fish to have first in the tank? How many do you think is a good number? Anything up from 6 right?

Maybe some ember tetra's and a gourami? ALl the labels in my LFS say that they should be kept in pairs and small groups though, is it still ok to just keep the one?

I sill really like the harlequin rasboras when I was in the LFS though... what do you guys think of those?

 

[waterdrop]

(Harlequins? my new favorite fish, as I'm sure members are tired of hearing, lol) I don't quite see how that could work out since it's a 7G/27L and the min shoal of 6 would pretty much stock the tank, leaving no room for Honeys or others you've been talking about really. (of course, as I write this, my mind's eye can see the four harlequins happily frolicking in a little 5.5G Qtank in my son's room doing just great...) WD

 

[KittyKat]

Went to check the LFS today and noticed that they did have ember tetra's after all. I really do like the look of those, and would like to have some, would they be a good fish to have first in the tank? How many do you think is a good number? Anything up from 6 right?

Start with 6-8, get a couple more in a few months if you feel that the tank will take them. Do make sure you can 100% ID Hyphessobrycon amandae as they are one of the VERY few fish available who do not grow over 2cm.

Maybe some ember tetra's and a gourami? ALl the labels in my LFS say that they should be kept in pairs and small groups though, is it still ok to just keep the one?

Here is what I said before:

In terms of other fish, would a Dwarf Gourami do well in this size tank? I've been reading around and trying to get information but everything I seem to find conflicts with each other. I figured it'd be best to ask here?

If you want a gourami, I would go for a single honey gourami.

I like the idea of a Honey Gourami, thank you for suggeting it, just depends if I can find one in a local store anywhere. Also, I read on a site somewhere (don't think I'm allowed to mention it here?) That the minmum ammount of honey's in a tank should be 2?

Most fish do better with their own kind.. this is why if this was my tank, I would setting for only a school and a couple of others.

I sill really like the harlequin rasboras when I was in the LFS though... what do you guys think of those?

Ditto wawterdrop. They are too large. If you want them, look at espei rasboras, aka Trigonostigma espei. They are less suitable though as they grow larger.

 

[karin]

I don't think it has been said yet, but gouramis do fine on their own.

 

[Tathar]

I don't think it has been said yet, but gouramis do fine on their own.

Really? Is that any particular gourami..? Or just in general? A honey... or a dwarf maybe then?
I suppose I never really took notice and havent had a look yet... but would a gourami eat the ember tetra? Are they too small...?

Thanks.