Stocking My 55

[McCool]

Want y'all to run through my stocking plan again, as I've never had angels and want to do it right! Tank is 55 gallons, 4ft long, sand, driftwood, with around 75 gallons of filtration. Soon to be a planted tank, and I won't be doing any more fish until I get everything planted and settled. Anyways!
Fish:
2 Bolivian Rams (Already have these)
4 Angel Fish (Would 2 be a better #?)
4 Polka Dot Loaches (Already have these)
3 Red Swordtails (Already have these)
12 Cardinals
1 Whiptail Catfish (If I can find one)
6 Otos
2 Bamboo shrimp

Suggestions? Anywhere I should up the numbers, or down them?

 

[SombreroBanana]

Having this much would be way overstocked, especially with a filter rated at 75 gallons. First of all, I would either do rams or angelfish, not both, especially if you want to keep your loaches. So you could do 2 rams, your 4 loaches (I'd up them to 6), your swordtails, and then MAYBE 6-8 neon or cardinal tetras.You could put in 2 bamboo shrimp, but they need a crazy current, because they're filter feeders.

 

[McCool]

Having this much would be way overstocked, especially with a filter rated at 75 gallons. First of all, I would either do rams or angelfish, not both, especially if you want to keep your loaches. So you could do 2 rams, your 4 loaches (I'd up them to 6), your swordtails, and then MAYBE 6-8 neon or cardinal tetras.You could put in 2 bamboo shrimp, but they need a crazy current, because they're filter feeders.

Well, the Rams and Angels have been on my stocking list since the beginning, and I've had more than a few people run through it on here and no one has ever told me they weren't compatible.... So a bit confused there. I'm taking out the catfish and otos anyways, and only maybe adding the bamboo shrimp later... I've really never not agreed with someone on here, but I have to say our ideas of overstocked differ. Your plan seems incredibly understocked. The tank is very established, going to be very heavily planted and gets a 50% water change every week, sometimes more.

 

[SombreroBanana]

When I read the "75 gallons of filtration" I thought you meant 75 gph (I just woke up, cut me some slack). The rams and angels are compatible, but I didn't think your tank was already established. Especially with the 50% water changes, you can probably do 2 rams, 2 angels, your loaches (up them to 6), your swordtails, and then the bamboo shrimp and like 10-12 neons or cardinals. Sorry!

 

[TekFish]

Angelfish and Neons DO NOT MIX WELL, just saying. Neons will end up food.

I would do this:
2 Rams
6 Polkadot Loaches/ Otocinclus
3 Red Swordtails
12-15 Tetras (I highly recommend Rummynose Tetras)
And you maaaay be able to get away with a Whiptail.

TekFish

 

[-Craig-]

Angelfish and Neons DO NOT MIX WELL, just saying. Neons will end up food.

I would do this:
2 Rams
6 Polkadot Loaches/ Otocinclus
3 Red Swordtails
12-15 Tetras (I highly recommend Rummynose Tetras)
And you maaaay be able to get away with a Whiptail.

TekFish

I've had 5 very large angels and around 15 tetras and I think one 1 was ate, and these angels mainly fed on Shrimp and blood worm.

 

[McCool]

When I read the "75 gallons of filtration" I thought you meant 75 gph (I just woke up, cut me some slack). The rams and angels are compatible, but I didn't think your tank was already established. Especially with the 50% water changes, you can probably do 2 rams, 2 angels, your loaches (up them to 6), your swordtails, and then the bamboo shrimp and like 10-12 neons or cardinals. Sorry!

Oh its fine! Yeah, I was thinking I may need to up the loaches. Thanks for the help!

 

[McCool]

Angelfish and Neons DO NOT MIX WELL, just saying. Neons will end up food.

I would do this:
2 Rams
6 Polkadot Loaches/ Otocinclus
3 Red Swordtails
12-15 Tetras (I highly recommend Rummynose Tetras)
And you maaaay be able to get away with a Whiptail.

TekFish

Yeah, I've heard pretty mixed reviews on the Angel Cardinal mix. The angels will be the last thing I add, once everything else is in and the tank is planted well. I'm going to get them small also. I figured I'd just take a chance, and edit the stocking once they get big and/or aggressive. I actually love Rummys, but I've had them before and really wanted something with a little more color!

 

[McCool]

Angelfish and Neons DO NOT MIX WELL, just saying. Neons will end up food.

I would do this:
2 Rams
6 Polkadot Loaches/ Otocinclus
3 Red Swordtails
12-15 Tetras (I highly recommend Rummynose Tetras)
And you maaaay be able to get away with a Whiptail.

TekFish

I've had 5 very large angels and around 15 tetras and I think one 1 was ate, and these angels mainly fed on Shrimp and blood worm.

Good to hear! I think it really just depends on the angels temperament, but it'll definitely be something I watch for!

 

[Flute]

What's the hight of the tank? That's a big factor on whether the tank is suitable for angels or not. If you do go for angels, be prepared for them to squabble like hell. I would go for a single specimen; A breeding pair will be very aggressive to the rest of the tank when spawning, and two that are not paired could eventually batter each other.

I would also go for a more deep bodied tetra, like emperors for example

 

[TekFish]

One of the deeper-bodied Moenkhausia species would be nice.

TekFish