Stocking Plan B...

[RobynR]

Been doing some thinking and research since being told that, alas, a 30-gallon tall hex isn't appropriate for an angelfish. I'm also having some doubts about my initial plan of having half a dozen hatchetfish to fill out the upper levels of the tank as they may be a little more touchy than I'm prepared to deal with. So, thought I'd see if anyone has some thoughts for me. I realize it's all personal taste, but I'd love to hear some ideas from folks with more experience than I have.

I really like what I've read about cockatoo cichlids -- especially that they're among the easier species of dwarf cichlids to keep. I had success with a Bolivian ram in my last tank, so I'm thinking a cockatoo (or pair or whatever) isn't out of my league. I hope. Also, I've seen them at the LFS where I plan to buy all of my fish (staff seems knowledgeable and the fish always seem healthy and reasonably unstressed, no dead or sick-looking fish). So, would I be best off with a single or more? Not really interested in breeding them, so I'm assuming just one would be best but thought I'd double check. Without the angelfish, I was thinking of looking at pygmy corys for the bottom of the tank as there ought to be enough space for a decently sized shoal. I need to make sure I can find them, but the aforementioned LFS tends to have a really good selection. Any thoughts on those, or another bottom-dweller if they'd be inappropriate? I don't know that I have enough floor space for a larger species of cory. And finally, any recommendations to fill out the rest of the tank? It's going to be sitting in our living room, so I'd like for it to be attractive and interesting to watch.

Still working on the cycle, but seeing some progress. Betting I have another couple weeks at least before I'll be making any fish purchases, but I want to use the time to come up with a good, solid plan.

 

[Whitester]

I too have a hexagon tank, but mine is 40 gallon. What I have been told, and read here, hexagon tanks aren't that great. The surface area is very small and that limits the fish you can have. I have been told that most cichlids need more surface area. I am unsure of the reason, but I have read and have been told that a hexagon is not ideal for any cichlids. If your looking for a species only tank, dwarf puffers are really cool. There are alot of videos on youtube about dwarf puffers or some call them pea puffers. You would have to do some research on keeping them. There is a recommended male to female ratio. Once I get my larger rectangle tank, I will make my 40 gallon hexagon a dwarf puffer tank.
I must warn you.... I am very new to this so my info might be and possibly is completely wrong.

 

[RobynR]

You're correct that hexes present a challenge -- the lack of swimming space makes them not really comparable to other tanks of the same volume, not to mention the relatively low surface area for gas exchange. But my husband isn't a fish person, and our house isn't huge, so a hex is a good way for me to maximize the amount of fish I can have for a minimum of floor space. Plus, I got it for a terrific price.

I don't think a hex should be a problem for dwarf cichlids, although I could be mistaken. For larger cichlids, definitely. Not really wanting to do dwarf puffers, although they're definitely cute. I prefer the look of a community tank, and I seem to have read that dwarf puffers take an awful lot of special treatment if you're going to do things right. I'm willing to put work into this, but they seem like a little more trouble than I want to sign up for, at least initially.

I'm really starting to lean toward the cockatoo cichlid, some pygmy corys, maybe some kuhli loaches, and something like tetras or rasboras to fill out the upper levels.

 

[Doohiky]

A small shoal of tiger barbs might be nice. I keep tiger barbs and I found that they added a lot of colour to my tank and certainly makes it fun to watch.

 

[Elrohirthehasty]

dwarf chiclids would be fine.