Stocking Question

[jorchuu]

I've got a 75g aquarium with an eheim 2217. Currently I have...
x5 Congo Tetras
x9 Pristella Tetras
x7 Black Phantom Tetras
x5 Kuhli Loach
x1 Bristlenose Pleo
x1 Rubberlip Pleco
x1 Angelfish

I wanted to get a school of angelfish so that I would have 5. Is this a good number and can I make it fit?

Also, should I be worried about the tetras nipping the angel's fins?

Edit: I was thinking of adding an aquaclear 110 since this is a little overstocked, if that helps any.

 

[KittyKat]

I wanted to get a school of angelfish so that I would have 5. Is this a good number and can I make it fit?

6+ is a better number, but it depends on the dimensions and how the tank is decorated (photo is easier than explaining).

Also, should I be worried about the tetras nipping the angel's fins?

Probably not, but even less likely if you increase those schools to 10-15+ per species.

I've got a 75g aquarium with an eheim 2217. Currently I have...
x5 Congo Tetras
x9 Pristella Tetras
x7 Black Phantom Tetras
x5 Kuhli Loach
x1 Bristlenose Pleo
x1 Rubberlip Pleco
x1 Angelfish

Because you already have an angel, you will probably need to move the decoration around a bit so the new fish would not be "invading" its territory. I also recommend that you make the tetra number increases regardless of whether you get more angels and increase khulis to at least 10 as well, if your filter and tank allow, of course.

 

[minnnt]

5 is ok, but you may find that the 'odd one out' gets pushed about a bit. Conspecific aggression is lessened when bigger numbers are kept. I would also rehome one of the shoals and have bigger shoals of two lots of Tetra's. All down to personal prefference though i guess.

 

[jorchuu]

I ended up getting another 5 (making 6). The only reason I was wanting a school of 5 was because of space...

Anyways. Originally I only wanted the 5 congos and a larger group of pristellas. I don't know what I'll do with the bpt yet, probably rehome. I wasn't planning on bumping up the kuhlis... I thought 5 would be ok. I don't think I can fit another 5 anyways. We'll see what happens with the tetras... and then maybe I'll bump it. I was also thinking of moving the rubberlip pleco to my other tank.

The tank is 48 x 18 x 21. Unfortunately all fake plants at the moment, as it used to house a turtle and he would eat plants. But now that he's recently in a bigger tank, I'm looking at planting it. I didn't bother rearranging because our current angel is so small, that I thought aggression wouldn't be present yet...

Kittykat I believe you talked to my girlfriend. I had my own questions and she suggested since it's my fish and my problem, I make my own thread.

 

[KittyKat]

I ended up getting another 5 (making 6). The only reason I was wanting a school of 5 was because of space...

In terms of space, 1 fish makes almost no difference, but in terms of aggression, 1 fish can make all the difference.

Anyways. Originally I only wanted the 5 congos and a larger group of pristellas. I don't know what I'll do with the bpt yet, probably rehome.

It's not fair on the Congo tetras to keep them in such a small group. They are a schooling species, as are the other tetras.

I wasn't planning on bumping up the kuhlis... I thought 5 would be ok. I don't think I can fit another 5 anyways.

They are more confident in larger groups, as they are usually shy fish. If they are often out and about during the day, then they should be fine as they are, but if they hide often, then they could do with some more friends.

The tank is 48 x 18 x 21. Unfortunately all fake plants at the moment, as it used to house a turtle and he would eat plants. But now that he's recently in a bigger tank, I'm looking at planting it. I didn't bother rearranging because our current angel is so small, that I thought aggression wouldn't be present yet...

Watch and find out.. it really does depend on the individual fish. 21" isn't really high enough for angels, but unless you are able to get something taller, it will have to do. You might want to consider adding a black background, it makes a lot of difference (here is a comparison I made: http/aquariumadventure.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/backgrounds/ ). You might also want to aim the outlet from the filter across the surface, that way, more oxygen can get into the water.

Kittykat I believe you talked to my girlfriend. I had my own questions and she suggested since it's my fish and my problem, I make my own thread.

Yes, you're right.. it's all a womanly conspiracy!

 

[jorchuu]

You're right the kuhlis are very shy. But I have noticed they are coming out a lot more recently... I will definitely consider it. As I will with the congos too!

And I actually I was going to get a black background! We just won a 50" TV and I was going to spray paint the box black to use as a background. Just haven't got around to it yet.

And we're considering getting another 90g. Do you think 24" tall would be enough? I know you said in the other thread you'd prefer angels in a 6 x 2 x 2... unfortunately I don't think that's an option for us.

 

[minnnt]

2ft tall is adequate mate, mine are in 18" and they're fine. 4ft would be a minimum imo, but obviously bigger the better.

Also, try a black bag for a background, works a treat.

 

[KittyKat]

And we're considering getting another 90g. Do you think 24" tall would be enough?

Yes, I think 24" tall is perfect: the idea is that it still leaves enough space after one takes into account 1-5" of substrate and 1-2" off the top.

I know you said in the other thread you'd prefer angels in a 6 x 2 x 2... unfortunately I don't think that's an option for us.

6*2*2 ft is an ideal for a decent group of angels.. but most people can't afford that or don't have the space. A 4*2*2 (ish) ft is a decent compromise for a group of 6.

 

[jorchuu]

Okay I will definitely keep an eye out. I'd prefer to buy used, but tanks are hard to find locally... gotta snatch em when they show up!! How fast do angels grow to their adult size?

I'd like to bump up my kuhlis to 10 as you suggested. Do you think I could do that, given my current stocking? They're so small I can't imagine they'd have a huge effect on bioload... and all dwell on the bottom that it won't have a huge impact on "swimming room". I could be wrong though.

Do you I have room for getting more of the other tetras?

I know it's a little overstocked. I will be adding an aquaclear110 shortly... just have to wait for pay day.

 

[KittyKat]

It's really difficult to tell, to be honest.. khulis are low bio-load, as you say, so I think another 5 of those would be ok and another Congo. After that, you should go by what "feels" right to you and look at how adding the new fish has affected your water readings.

Personally, I would be investing in plants over a second filter, but I have good experiences with plants and they use up nitrate.. also, I'm not used to running plant-free tanks.