Stocking Of Tank

[jim_smits]

Hello all,

First time posting and just wanted a bit of advice on stocking.

I currently have a L24" x W12" x D18" tank, that is now fully cycled. It has a internal filter rated for a 200 litre tank, and is planted with live plants.

The tank currently has 6 Head and Tail Tetras, and 6 Lemon Tetras.

I would like to add some cherry shrimp in addition and also a centrepice fish (or two)

Does this sound feasable and also what recommendations would anyone make for a suitable addition.

Cheers!

Jim

 

[Wills]

Hi welcome to the forum! How long has the tank been set up? Shrimp are pretty feasible in a tank like that I think, if you start off with around 8 they will breed and the numbers will grow. I would up your head and tail light tetras to 10 and then as for centerpiece fish you could look at something like a trio of cockatoo cichlids or some kind of dwarf acara like laetacara curviceps.

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

Hi Wills - I have three cherry shrimp that are getting larger. How do we get them breeding? Soft music and lights aren't working so far

 

[Wills]

Not sure never done it but I believe its usually just a matter of time and good water and making sure you have males and females.

 

[aly_starh]

Welcome to the forum Jim_Smits

That tank is around 65L i think, so the current stocking would look fas as it is, with a nice black backgorund and plenty of live plants to bring out there colours. If you did want to add a centre-piece fish, as Wills said Cockatoo cichlids would look great or maybe and Apisto pair?

Regarding shrimp, id get about 10 to enure you have 1 of each sex and then you will in time see the population multiply. In order for them to multiply, the have to be the appropriate age/size along with a high temp of about 25-27C and plenty of food. Water quality is a must also, make sure the water is clean, this can be done with weekly waterchanges of a decent amount.

Hope that helps

 

[jim_smits]

Cheers for the replies.

Will probably get 6 shrimp to start off with.

As for centrepiece fish, was thinking maybe a pair of dwarf gourami?

My missus would like a couple of angelfish, but i'm not sure if they would be suitable or not?

Welcome to the forum Jim_Smits

That tank is around 65L i think, so the current stocking would look fas as it is, with a nice black backgorund and plenty of live plants to bring out there colours. If you did want to add a centre-piece fish, as Wills said Cockatoo cichlids would look great or maybe and Apisto pair?

Regarding shrimp, id get about 10 to enure you have 1 of each sex and then you will in time see the population multiply. In order for them to multiply, the have to be the appropriate age/size along with a high temp of about 25-27C and plenty of food. Water quality is a must also, make sure the water is clean, this can be done with weekly waterchanges of a decent amount.

Hope that helps

 

[aly_starh]

1 male gourami would be good.
If you get 2 you would have to be 100% certain that it was a male and female.
2 males in a 65L is a big no-no, there will be alot of aggression and territorial issues.


Edit: unforunately Angelfish are highly unsuitable. They grow really big and even 1 in that tank would be a squeeze. They prefer tall tanks, min height of 18" and 100L or so.

 

[jim_smits]

1 male gourami would be good.
If you get 2 you would have to be 100% certain that it was a male and female.
2 males in a 65L is a big no-no, there will be alot of aggression and territorial issues.


Edit: unforunately Angelfish are highly unsuitable. They grow really big and even 1 in that tank would be a squeeze. They prefer tall tanks, min height of 18" and 100L or so.

Went to the LFS at the weekend and after a dicussion with the very helpful chap there eventually decided to get a Male Dwarf Flame Gourami and a Female. Also got 6 cherry shrimps as well.

The Flame Gourami is looking like a good addition. The red is a great standout colour against the plants, even the female is pretty when she catches the light correctly and has a blue shimmer.

Would say the Cherry Shrimp stand out as well, but they are very good at hiding amongst the plants!

 

[Wills]

Ah cool good choices the pairing should work pretty nicely If you wanted to go with an asian theme tank maybe look at a school of harlequin rasboras or better yet actually because of their hot red colours, Chilli Rasbora. One of my favorite fish really small bright red schooling fish that will look fantastic with your flam gouramis And the cherry shrimp wow a full red tank