Stocking Suggestions For 65L

[damanax]

Hi all,
 
I've got a 65l (17G according to Google) tank that I set up some months ago. I've recently moved some of the fish to other tanks and I was after stocking suggestions since this tank looks very boring now. 
 
It currently has 8 Glowlight Tetras. I've tried a Dwarf Gourami and as well as a Betta but my Tetra hated them.
 
What kind of bottom dweller would work? Corys aren't possible as my LFS doesn't stock the smaller varieties.
 
Could I just add a few more Glowlights? If so, how many?
 
Could I add a school of Neons or something similar for variety?
 
The tank is planted and there are a few hiding spots.
 
Thanks for the help.

 

[KittyKat]

What are the dimensions of the tank?
 
If it's a standard shaped (rectangular) tank, then I would recommend that you slowly add 7 more glowlights, then a pair of small cichlids or some shrimp for the bottom. You might want to look at the list that I made: http/natureaquarium.co.uk/?page_id=278#sa-cichlids So final stock would be either
* 15 glowlights
* 1m 1f dwarf cichlids
or
* 15 glowlights
* lots of shrimp
 
Being in Australia, have you considered a small group of dwarf rainbowfish instead? 6 Pseudomugil gertrudae would work well, I think and having kept them, I can say that they are lovely fish! http/rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au/Gertrud.htm In this case, final stock would be
* 15 glowlights
* 6 Pseudomugil gertrudae
 
I strongly recommend against another school of neons because I don't think it's fair to get another large group when the glowlights could do with some more company.
 
Bear in mind that you would need to increase stock slowly and pay attention to water readings to make sure that the tank and filter can actually support that many fish. (Small filter probably won't, large filter will. Also depends on what exactly you mean by "planted".)
 
If it's an odd shaped tank (under 60 cm long), I would replace the tetras with something smaller.

 

[damanax]

It's a plain old rectangle. I think it's slightly longer than 60cm but I'd have to finish work to get the exact measurements.
 
I was leaning towards getting a few more Glowlights. I didn't realise I could have so many though, which was why I only have 8 in the first place.
 
Never though about cichlids. The variety here is pretty poor and none are specifically named.
 
Never seen shrimp, what kinds are the easiest to keep?
 
I was looking into getting some rainbow fish when I get my 200l tank next month. Love the little guys. I have only seen 3 different kinds are the LFS recently though, Threadfins, a kind that would be way to big for my tank and another smaller species, no fancy finnage, with stripes that's a Central Australian native. Wish I could remember the name

 .
 
That's fair enough. I can't seem to keep Neons alive anyway, even with perfect water conditions.
 
By planted I mean that you can barely see the bottom, there is quite a bit of vallis, crypt, some chunks of driftwood with anubias and lots of java moss.
 
I need to head down to the LFS tomorrow anyway so I'll write down some of the fish that they have. It's a fairly small selection but I am in Central Australia after all so I can't complain

 

[the_lock_man]

I understand that it's illegal to import shrimp into Australia, but you have a large number of suitable native species (which are equally as illegal to export, rather frustratingly). Have a tootle on down the forum to the invertebrate section, and have a look at some of the photos that Baccus has posted - she's in Northern Queensland and has a great collection.

 

[KittyKat]

Same with rainbows: they're a pain to get here, but are native to Australia. Note that if you will be collecting any species from the wild, you must never return them back to the wild once they have been in your tanks.

 

[the_lock_man]

Same with rainbows: they're a pain to get here, but are native to Australia. Note that if you will be collecting any species from the wild, you must never return them back to the wild once they have been in your tanks.

 

 

[damanax]

The issue with shrimp is that there are Quarantine laws preventing the movement of aquatic wildlife, even just in the Northern Territory. I know of a business that ships plants (I buy off them all the time) that also has shrimp but it's a lot of paperwork. I'll see if the LFS is able to get them in, though since they're having issues getting snails I'm not sure how easy it will be.
 
Those Rainbow fish you linked are gorgeous. I've definitely gotta see if I can get the LFS to get them. 6 is an alright number for them then? Is there a gender ratio I should stick to?
 
I personally don't like taking them from the wild, don't like messing with an ecosystem that much so that's definitely not an issue

 

[damanax]

Well I went to the LFS today and picked up a couple more Glowlights so now I have 12. Gonna be keeping an eye on the water conditions over the next few weeks.
 
Also asked about the Rainbows and they are able to get them in stock, it might just take a few weeks. That lets me make sure the tank is stable before I add them thankfully.