Stocking Issues, Frustrations, And Wishful Thinking! Help Pls!

[FishFanatic04]

I'm pretty new to aquariums and I'm finding that its really hard to pick the perfect combination of fish for a community. There are so many variables. If anyone can give me some advice on my choices for my two tanks I'd really appreciate it! I'm fully planning my stocking so I can buy appropriate decorations, filters, etc... (So far we only have 4 Platies.. my tank isn't fully cycled, Don't worry...this is a plan for the next Monthes after cycling...I won't add all the fish in a day}

The Plan
46g Bowfront (70g capacity filter and obsessively scheduled water changes)

4-Platies
1 Mystery Snail
1-Angelfish
4-Borneo Suckers/Hillstream Loaches
6-Glofish
1-Dwarf Gourami

Plan #2
75g (2-70g capacity filters and again...crazy lady water changes)

8-Tiger Barbs
2-Opaline Gouramis 1:1 m/f
5/6-Rainbowfish
6-Albino Cory Catfish
3-Molly
1-snail

I've had conflicting opinions on the tiger barbs but in all my research so far they look compatible. Opinions?

 

[Tizer]

If you want a friendly community tank, Tiger Barbs should be the last fish you should ever consider

 

[FishFanatic04]

Any suggestions instead of the barbs...I like the idea of a fish that will school and have an impact visually...the Tigers are soooo playful and funny together....I thought about adding them last so they won't start out with the advantage

 

[Tizer]

Rummynose Tetras make great schooling fish and are pretty funky looks wise. Penguin Tetras also, although i've never owned any.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Glofish (genetically modified Zebra Danios) and "hillstream loaches" are no compatable with anything else listed. They need a cool water setup (many of these do better at <20C, there are some exceptions) but a massive water current is essential at the water surface to infuse the water with high oxygen levels.

As for tank #2, definitely ditch the Tiger Barbs and perhaps think about more of a biotope setup, with a bigger group of Rainbowfish (~12, 4 males and 8 females) and some Sleeper Gobies like the two Australian Purple Spotted Gudgeon (Mogurnda mogurnda/adspersa).

 

[snake007]

I'm pretty new to aquariums and I'm finding that its really hard to pick the perfect combination of fish for a community. There are so many variables. If anyone can give me some advice on my choices for my two tanks I'd really appreciate it! I'm fully planning my stocking so I can buy appropriate decorations, filters, etc... (So far we only have 4 Platies.. my tank isn't fully cycled, Don't worry...this is a plan for the next Monthes after cycling...I won't add all the fish in a day}

The Plan
46g Bowfront (70g capacity filter and obsessively scheduled water changes)

4-Platies
1 Mystery Snail
1-Angelfish
4-Borneo Suckers/Hillstream Loaches
6-Glofish
1-Dwarf Gourami

Plan #2
75g (2-70g capacity filters and again...crazy lady water changes)

8-Tiger Barbs
2-Opaline Gouramis 1:1 m/f
5/6-Rainbowfish
6-Albino Cory Catfish
3-Molly
1-snail

I've had conflicting opinions on the tiger barbs but in all my research so far they look compatible. Opinions?

I think angelfish are social and do best in groups but I maybe wrong?
And also maybe go for 2 females and a male as the male would be pestering the lone female to breed.

 

[FishFanatic04]

After reading more on Hillstream Loaches I've regretfully added them to my wishful thinking list with the Bala shark

Now I'm looking into Khuli loaches instead. Any experience or thoughts there? Will they be okay in the 46 gallon and will they eat missed flakes...

The more I'm reading the more I'm loving these little guys!


oh and I had planned for 2 angelfish and was severely scolded about tank size.

 

[snake007]

IMO a 46 Gallon could hold a good amount of angels if it has the height, what is your dimensions by the way?

 

[FishFanatic04]

Its a bowfront 36L x 15W x 20.5 H

I've pretty much settled on the Khuli loaches for the 46 as well.

Will I be overstocked if I have the Khuli loaches instead of the hillstream loaches? And if I added another angel?

I didn't want to overstock either tank to its complete max in case I want to keep a molly or platy baby at some point.



Omg!!! Im flipping and flopping around so much!!! this is why I am researching so hard BEFORE buying fish.!!!

Now I want 4 angels in my 75g and khuli loaches in there with my cory cats. I wonder if my hubby would mind sleeping in the backyard so I can use our bedroom as a giant fishtank!! I could charge admission for my giant household aquarium!

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Hi Fish Fanny. Almost peed myself laughing at that nick. You're American so I know what fanny means there, but do you know what it means here in the UK? I'm thinking you don't, and I ain't telling!

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Seriously though. Hillstream loaches are temperate fish, so not suitable for your tropical setup. Try otos or bulldog plecs instead.

Kuhli loaches are great but you need lots for them for them to be confident, otherwise they'll hide all the time. Minimum of three, preferably more. But if you provide lots of hidng places they will actually come out more because they know they can dash and hide if needs be.

Barbs, and I do mean all barbs, not just tiger barbs, are fin nippers. Some only do it when stressed or hungry and some, like the tiger barb, specalise in it. Avoid tiger barbs if you want a peaceful tank. There is a barb that looks almost exactly like the tiger barb but is really peaceful, generally speaking. The name fails me just now though.

Well there's some more suggestions for you.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Hahaha Omg!! I do know what it means there....only I didn't realize it till now! How funny. Well no sense in changing it now that we have a good joke going on

 

[FishFanatic04]

I found it! It's the five banded barb. Thats the best bit of information yet!!! We have rearranged where we are putting everything and are so excited!! Thanks for all the help everyone!!!

 

[ParadiseGuerrero]

Black Ruby barbs are also similar to tiger barbs...well the females any way- the males are bright red at the front and black at the back ;p They don't seem to fin nip; they're in with a betta and they don't really both him.

 

[Fintastic!]

Hahaha Omg!! I do know what it means there....only I didn't realize it till now! How funny. Well no sense in changing it now that we have a good joke going on

Good on ya. Made me laugh too.