Stocking Ideas?

[Jhncf]

I am looking for stocking ideas for my new 45 gallon tank. Sold my old 30 gal and put the two well established filters into this tank so should be cycled soon. I know these fish won't all work together, but a few I have in mind are:
 
Black skirt tetras
Tiger barbs
Kuhli loaches
Cory catfish
Angelfish
Red tail shark
 
Any stocking ideas with at least some of these would be appreciated guys

 

[Jhncf]

Anybody?

 

[Blondielovesfish]

What are the dimensions of the tank?
 
What substrate do you have?

 

[Ninjouzata]

Along with what Blondie asked, what is your pH and is your water soft or hard?

 

[Jhncf]

36" long, 24" high, 16" wide. Ph is 7.2 and water is soft. Natural gravel as substrate.

 

[hobby5]

A natural stocking would be a single species of cory (8-10) some black skirt tetras (minimum 6) and 1 pair of angel fish.
 
I would not recommend the red tail, they need bigger tanks and tend to get very aggressive. Kuhli need sand as substrate (btw the cory would prefer sand too). Tiger barbs together with angelfish are a no go.
 
What do you mean by natural gravel?

 

[Jhncf]

Sorry I just meant natural coloured. So would 8 corys, 10 black skirts and 1 pair of angels be ok? Can the corys live on gravel or should I look for something to replace the corys with? Thanks.

 

[hobby5]

Corys can also live on gravel, provided it is rounded and has no sharp borders. Most catfish and loaches prefer sand, so it will be the same for them. Those black skirts can get pretty big, so I would only take 8 but then your stocking should be ok. Personally I would substitute them by a smaller more colorful tetra.
 
What is your tank arrangement, plants, wood, etc.?

 

[Jhncf]

I would really like to keep black skirts, i've always loved those fish. My gravel should be ok for them then, it's pretty small and rounded. I have a 12" curved piece of bogwood on one side with alot of artificial plants behind it and on the other side I have built it up with slate to create alot of caves. The centre and front is all open to give the fish plenty of swimming space.

 

[hobby5]

If you love them you have to keep them of course How will you go about the angelfish? Best would be to obtain a harmonising pair. Otherwise start with about 5 young angelfish and rehome three if a pair has formed.

 

[Jhncf]

I'll give that a go then So 8 black skirts, 6-8 corys and start with 5 young angels then rehome the other 3 if they pair up? Thanks for all your help

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Black Skirts and angelfish are a no no, just like tiger barbs.
 
Black Skirts are really nippy, so they would constantly harass the angelfishes long, flowing fins
 
It would really be best if you were to change to sand, as corys like to filter it through their gills.

 

[hobby5]

Years ago I used to have 6 black skirts together with 2 angelfish in a small tank and there was no fin nipping at all. Maybe it is best to add the angelfish before the black skirts then.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

You got lucky!
 
I wouldn't risk it, I've seen too many angels get their fins ripped up by black skirts!