Stocking Questions...

[Darkmega354]

I'm new to the hobby and just starting my first tank, a 29 gallon. I know most of the basics, but I have a few questions about the fish I want to put in my tank. I would really like gouramis, swordtails and cory cats... Would this be an acceptable set up? Also, which fish would I cycle the tank with and how many of each kind should I put in the tank?

 

[twodoctors]

I'm new to the hobby and just starting my first tank, a 29 gallon. I know most of the basics, but I have a few questions about the fish I want to put in my tank. I would really like gouramis, swordtails and cory cats... Would this be an acceptable set up? Also, which fish would I cycle the tank with and how many of each kind should I put in the tank?

I have no experience with gouramis and swordtails but I am not aware of any compatiblity problems with them. Gourami can get a bit territorial but I think it is ok.

Nowadays people no longer advocate fish-in cycle. Google fishless cycling and ask here again if you don't understand.

Adrian

 

[KittyKat]

+1 fish-less cycle.

You could have 8-10 Corys, a group of honey gouramis and 2m 5f swordtails (who will breed), if you aquarium is 3+ ft long.

 

[Darkmega354]

The tank is about 30 inches long. That seems like a lot of fish, but I'll trust you... Also, how large would a group of gouramis be? Would there be any alternative species of gouramis that I could get instead of the honey gouramis? Thanks for the help!

 

[KittyKat]

The tank is about 30 inches long. That seems like a lot of fish, but I'll trust you... Also, how large would a group of gouramis be? Would there be any alternative species of gouramis that I could get instead of the honey gouramis? Thanks for the help!

That stocking would be for a fully fish-less cycled aquarium, not for a brand new one and even that would need to be stocked slowly. I assume you have a suitable filter?

In a 30" tank, I would recommend platys instead of swordtails (from personal experience). 1m 3f honey gouramis should work.. alternative options I would suggest would be a group of sparkling gouramis (if you go for platies) or 1m 2f dwarf gouramis, but both of these species really must have a planted aquarium as the first would be too skittish and the second too aggressive without plants. Actually, you should have at least some live plants regardless of what you decide on.

 

[Darkmega354]

Hmm... would it still work with plastic plants? I wasn't really planning on having live ones... As for filtration, I have an Aqueon 30 HOB filter that came with the aquarium. Would I need anything more?

So many questions...

 

[KittyKat]

The filter should be fine

Why no live plants? Without them, I would recommend only one gourami.

 

[roadmaster]

Would help to know what your water is like with respect to GH,KH, pH before recommending fishes for AFTER the tank has cycled.
Swordtail's and platy's prefer/need,, cool moderately hard, alkaline water in order to thrive, and Gourami prefer warmer softer water.
I would suggest picking up a test kit that you will need to track the cycling process and that will give you an idea of what your water from tap is like.Or.you could take a sample of your tapwater to local fish store and ask them to test it for GH,KH,pH. This info will help you choose the best fish for the water you have readily available.