Stocking Possibilites

[Weiro792]

Hi all, I just moved and am looking to set up my 55 gallon tank again. The tank will be heavily planted with many rock caves and driftwood before stocking.
 
My plan is:
 
2x Veil Angel Fish
6x Spotted Cory Cats
4x (2 pairs) Blue Rams 
6x Balloon Rams
1x Gold Nugget or Bristle nose pleco (Depends on my budget when I actually set up the tank)
 
Any thoughts or ideas would be much appreciated.

 

[attibones]

I believe you would have too many rams. They prefer to be around the bottom level of the tank. They would compete with the Cory cats for space, so having sixteen lower level fish would be too many for your tank size. I would limit this to either two pairs of balloon rams or two pairs of the blue rams. Also, you will have to be careful about the angels, as they can kill each other is they are not a proven pair. As for the pleco, the bristle nose would do well in your tank.

Oh, you'll also want to do a fishless cycle before adding your fish.

 

[Weiro792]

I was wondering about the rams since from what reading I've done about them they tend to be more territorial. Thanks!! Any advice on the angel situation? How can I find a proven pair or guarantee that I at least have a male and female?

 

[Zikofski]

with a 55Gal i would up the number of cory's to about 10
 
golden nugget pleco's are one of my fav pleco's but if you go with the BN i would get two they are fine together not sure on the GN ones but i would have two as well if money can afford BN are much cheaper than GN as well

 

[attibones]

Angels are exceedingly difficult to sex. What many people do is buy about six juveniles and wait for two to pair up, then rehome the others. However, I feel this is a pain in the butt, so I would look on sites like aquabid to see if there are any people selling proven pairs. If not, you could always just buy one angelfish.

 

[Weiro792]

My guess is, I'll end up getting the BN pleco just for cost sake but I do really like the GN. I actually do like the idea of getting a few more cories. 
 

Angels are exceedingly difficult to sex. What many people do is buy about six juveniles and wait for two to pair up, then rehome the others. However, I feel this is a pain in the butt, so I would look on sites like aquabid to see if there are any people selling proven pairs. If not, you could always just buy one angelfish.

 
Is it possible that if I find some more mature angels at a pet store that they already formed a pair? How do you tell if they're actually a pair?

 

[attibones]

Most pet stores sell juveniles. In a private aquarium, a proven pair will basically follow each other around and are usually pretty aggressive towards other fish who get in their space. I've never kept angels, simply because of their finicky nature. Maybe someone else would know how to specifically point out a proven pair in a store setting?

 

[Weiro792]

Thanks for the help!

 

[Weiro792]

Just an update. Once I finish the fishless cycle my planned stock includes:
 
2x Veil Angelfish
4x Blue German Rams
10x Spotted Cory Catfish
1x Gold Nugget Pleco
 
For a total of 50"-52"