Stocking Plans

[demonmagus]

Hi, just want to know whether this seems like a good stocking plan:

2 or 3 columbian shark cats

4 monos

scats (how many?)

1 freshwater moray eel

is this 'full' or would anything else go well?

would mudskippers be alright as well? Or would they get eaten?



thanks

 

[nmonks]

Mudskippers are a bad idea, but the rest is good. I've kept similar numbers of these fish in a similar sized tank. Scats can be kept singly with a group of monos (they hang out together happily enough) or you could keep two or three of them safely enough. As I recall, my basic community was three shark cats, admittedly not full grown, three monos, a silver scat, an archer, a dog-faced puffer, and from time to time the odd Tilapia rendalli or some other oddball that had come my way.

I'd think carefully about the moray eel, because they're temperamental and can cause problems. Some are aggressive, and others sensitive to copper-based medications. A violet goby might be a fun alternative.

The probably with mudskippers is that they need more land than water, and when kept with active fish (like monos and scats) they are too "scared" to go into the water, which limits their behaviour somewhat. Mudskippers are best kept alone or with benign livebearers like mollies.

Cheers,

Neale

 

[demonmagus]

okay, also, how long would it take for these fish to grow to a decent size? as in around 10 inches?

also, can you suggest a good 'final salinity' to keep these fish at

and another thing, I don't have much experience with large tanks, is it a good idea to do brackish?

thanks

 

[demonmagus]

forgot to mention at least 1 archer fish

 

[nmonks]

okay, also, how long would it take for these fish to grow to a decent size? as in around 10 inches?

Depends on various factors like how much you feed them and what the temperature of the tank is. But expect monos and scats to be at least half grown within 12-18 months.

also, can you suggest a good 'final salinity' to keep these fish at

SG 1.010-1.012 will suit your fish fine, with the possible exception of a moray eel, some of which quite probably need marine conditions as adults. With archers, make sure you have a brackish species. There are some freshwater ones as well, and they will not appreciate such a high SG.

and another thing, I don't have much experience with large tanks, is it a good idea to do brackish?

Bigger tanks are more stable and easier to keep. The only downside is the expense of buying salt for the water. If you have a marine tank (or know someone who does) old marine aquarium water is a useful substitute, since "dirty" marine aquarium water is actually quite clean by brackish/freshwater standards.

Cheers,

Neale