Stocking suggestions

[FishEnthusiast]

Hi all,

I have a 55G (48"lX13w"X20"h) currently home to 2 angels, 1 blue spot gourami, 6 boesmani rainbows, 2 dwarf rainbows and 2 otos. I want to add some bottom dwelling but I am at a loss as to what would go good in the tank. I am considering moving my blue spot to an empty 20G I have, and I want to rehome the 2 dwarf rainbows. That will leave me with

2 Angels(mating pair)
6 Boesmani Rainbows
2 Oto's (I am going to get more, I started with 6 and 4 died for no reason)

I can't have small schoaling fish, my angel thinks those are lunch. I am not fond of corys. The tank is moderately planted and well established.

Does anyone have any suggestions for some bottom dwelling fish that would get on well with my current inhabitants?

 

[rixy]

yeah,get some plecs or synodontis

 

[FishEnthusiast]

I am not really into plecs, at least the common plecs. Maybe a synodontis, but will it get too big for my tank? I don't have plans to upgrade right now.

I was thinking a couple botia striata. Would they get too big if I got three?

 

[emma12321]

You could have 5 in a tank that size, they only get 3-4 inches. Or you could get khuli loach.

Emma

 

[FishEnthusiast]

My hubby has 3 black khuli loaches, and while I like them, I want ones that will eat snails. I don't have an infestation per say as my fish eat the eggs all the time, but still, pond snails just aren't attractive in my tank.

Adding 5 won't be overstocking? That is my biggest concern. This tank has been healthy for most of the time I have had it, and I don't want to mess that up by overstocking. One angel is fully grown I think, he hasn't grown since I got him. He is about 5" head to tail, 6 1/2"-7" including the tail. I am not sure how tall he is, maybe 6-7". He is a black lace veil tail. My female is a koi or marble angel, and is about 2"-2 1/2" long. My Boesmani are all about 2"-3". The oto's are small of course, but very fat. There is still algae in the tank, so I want to add at least 4 more, maybe 6. I supplement the algae with cucumber and zucchini.

 

[emma12321]

It would still be within the guide of inches of fish per gallon, plus the loaches would be on the bottom of the tank and so wouldn't overcrowd each other. The zebras would also eat the cucumber.

Emma

 

[FishEnthusiast]

I added up the inches and this is what I will have at full size:

6 oto's=12"
2 angels=10-16"
6 boesmani=36"
1 blue spot gourami=6"(He is probably going to be rehomed, I just haven't found a spot for my empty 20G)

Total 64"-70"

If I added 5 loaches the total inches would be 84-90"

By the inch per gallon rule I am already overstocked at a total of 9"-15"
I am hoping this doesn't necessarily apply to me as this tank has a lot of plants, and my parameters are always good, infact I have to add nitrate to my tank, otherwise it is unreadable.

I would love some bottom fish, the bottom just looks so bare. Do the botia striata pretty much stay at the bottom? I have read that they are and that they are semi aggressive, will this be a problem in my tank? the angels can get aggressive when they spawn, but they don't hurt anyone. The rainbows can be aggressive towards eachother, but again, no one has even been hurt. The gourami pretty much ignores everyone and goes about his business.

I checked a compatability chart and it said all of my fish can go together, but I question its accuracy. I would much prefer someone with first hand, or even second hand experience.

 

[MegTheFish]

If you do think you are overstocked (which I don't think you are) then why don't you check your nitrate levels? If its high, then I wouldn't add any more fish, but if it is low or in the safe range, then I would go for it.
Also, how often do you have to do water changes to keep the water clean? If its more then once or twice a week, then you'll run into problems if you add more fish. Oh, and ottos don't add much to the bioload, so I would count those as 1" each.

Edit. Oops...didn't read your whole last post. Since you have no problems with water quality, I would go ahead and add a group of loaches or something.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

Yeah, the inch rule really doesn't work that well with anything, say, over two inches. Even then it's more of a cautionary type thing then a rule set in stone.

 

[FishEnthusiast]

That is what I was hoping to hear. Like I said, I have to add nitrates to my tank, my plants use up all the nitrate provided by the fish. I will keep my eye out for the botia striata, my lfs doesn't have them in on a regular basis. I am setting up my QT tank soon, so they can be the first residents.

As my tank shows, I haven't followed the inch per gallon guideline, instead I just added a little of what I liked the best. The fish in that tank cost me a pretty penny though, so I would hate to lose any.