Stocking Proposal

[moon]

Hello,

My 170L tank is close to (fishlessly) cycled now, and so I am almost ready to stock <wahey!>.
It is currently modestly planted, but I intend on getting some more plants and also drift wood, rocks etc.
The substrate is pool filter sand, and the tank is quite overfiltered with an Eheim 2126.

Any feedback or suggestions welcomed.

3 x Burmese Border Loach (Botia Kubotai) = 30cm
I like odd looking fish, and already have snails!
I also like the look of Kuhli Loaches (Acanthophtalmus kuhli kuhli), but I am not sure about their snail eating efficiency.

3 x Swordtails (Xiphorphorus helleri) = 30cm
I’ve read that the fry will be eaten. Is it unethical to assume this will be the case and get 2 females and a male? Or should I get one sex only?

10 x Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) = 40cm
I like colourful shoals.

At a later stage I will get some shrimp (probably Caridina japonica).
I also want some catfish/pleco that look suitably alien EG: Something like Tiger shovelnose catfish are good, but Oto’s look a little normal. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Moon

 

[rdd1952]

I don't see any problems with that list. It is actually probably a little on the light side as the neons won't create much of a bioload. As for the swordtails, I'm not into livebearers but I think the general rule of thumb is 1 male to 3 females. if there are an even number, male/female, I think the males harass the females pretty bad. And yes the fry will be eaten but some people just let nature take it's course. IMO, there's nothing unethical about letting that happen. If the tank is planted well, some will probably still survive.

 

[Vegan Peaches]

Letting fry get eaten is just as ethical as feeding bloodworms, snails and brine shrimp. Most of my livebreeder fry get eaten; it's really a question of your own moral judgement: do you think it's wrong?

 

[BWBettas]

sound lieka great tank. but i wouldnt go for a alien tnak id go for a natural one. just my opinion

bret

 

[ncjharris]

I also like the look of Kuhli Loaches (Acanthophtalmus kuhli kuhli), but I am not sure about their snail eating efficiency.

In my experience with them, the chances of a Kuhli eating a snail is slim to anorexic.

 

[sylvia]

I *think* what Moon meant about the ethical side of the fry getting eaten is whether or not this guaranteed to happen. It's not. Some fry could well survive. However, don't let this stop you from getting a male and 2 females (which is a perfectly fine ratio BTW) as the few fry that do survive can be given to your LFS (check first though). Also, if you were to go for only one sex, your only option would be all females as male swordies don't usualy get along. the downside to that is that females grow larger and can still produce fry for several months after purchase as they can store sperm.

Someone mentioned you are quite lightly stocked with what you're planning. that's true - but not because the neons are low waste producers. You should judge your stocking based on neons being 'standard' waste producers - it's the rest of the fish that are high waste producers, not the neons are low. Does that make sense? Anyway, for the time being, it sounds great. It's good not to rush into it all anyway.

Kuhlies would not eat snails but the other loaches you are planning will have cleared them up in no time anyway.

Note that those loaches will also clear up any shrimp you add!

As far as the 'alien catfish' goes, tiger shovelnoses grow WAY too large. otos are good but very fragile and need to be fed veggies and fresh algae to survive. I also agree with your interpretation of tehm a 'norma' I'd suggest a bristlenose plec. these get to about 4" (depending on exact species) and their unusual bristles make them adorably weird.

 

[Valyrian]

Ya, as sylvia said, do NOT get a tiger shovel nose, they grow to 3-4 feet. And while we're on the subject of what large cats not to get, dont get red tailed cats either.

 

[moon]

Thanks everyone.

Kuhlies would not eat snails but the other loaches you are planning will have cleared them up in no time anyway.

Note that those loaches will also clear up any shrimp you add!

Mmmm. Is there a shrimp friendly snail eating alternative then? Or do all the little shelled things look like food to them!?

As far as the 'alien catfish' goes, tiger shovelnoses grow WAY too large. otos are good but very fragile and need to be fed veggies and fresh algae to survive. I also agree with your interpretation of tehm a 'norma' I'd suggest a bristlenose plec. these get to about 4" (depending on exact species) and their unusual bristles make them adorably weird.

I've just noticed that a brown algae has started growing on the back of the tank, so I want to buy an algae eater at the same time. The Bristlenose look the business , however my water is pH 8.0. Will they be happy in that? I am also not sure how many I should get.

 

[sylvia]

A single bristlenose would work and should be fine with the pH. They are territorial so, unless you get a sexed pair, stick to just one.

Not realy on the shrimp-friendly snail-eaters. You won't be able to find anything that fits that description though there are some large, filter-feeding shrimp that *might* work with snail-eating loaches.