Stocking Suggestions

[richw]

Now that my 200L tank appears to be cycled (going to give it 1 more week just to make sure) I'm ready to start adding some fish! I've done a fishless cycle with the ammonia levels going up to 2ppm.
 
The water is set at 25 degrees c, has a 1800LPH external filter, and there's quite a few live plants in there (small at the moment) including java fern, java moss and an amazon sword plant (starting off with the basics to get it up and running). The tank is quite green and natural looking so want some colourful fish that'll really stand out.
 
Here's my initial ideas:
 
1 Bristlenose Pleco
5 Cherry Barbs,
6 Five Banded Barbs,
3 Guppies,
6 Harlequin Rasboras,
6 Neon Tetras,
6 Rummynose Tetras,
6 Zebra Loaches
 
 
 
Any thoughts on other fish, ones to swop, quantities, overstocking, what order they should be added in (and how often) etc would be appreciated!

 

[the_lock_man]

You've got a lot of small shoals there, I would recommend taking your 3 favourite species and having 10 of each of them (excluding the BN!). Note too, that the cherry barbs would want to be in at least a group of 6 as well.
 
Also whilst guppies aren't shoaling, they are quite boisterous, and in a small group, that bickering can easily turn into bullying of one individual. I would recommend you have at least 5 of them, to minimise the stress that any individual fish will be put under. Obviously, if you do take my above advice, and have 10 of them, that will be even better.

 

[richw]

Ooh that's difficult, I like all of those fish! Excellent tips though..
 
I suppose at a push I'd pick Neon Tetras, Five Banded Barbs and Guppies..
 
Also absolutely love Zebra Loaches - they seem to have fantastic personalities!
 
1 Bristlenose Pleco
10 Five Banded Barbs,
8 Guppies,
10 Neon Tetras,
6 Zebra Loaches
 
Feels a bit plain now though? Trying to visualise it in my head but it's difficult! Are there any fish that don't shoal that'd suit this setup?

 

[Robbo89]

centre piece fish !!! Best part of any tank in my opinion
 
You could easily go with a pair or even a trio of either
 
Angelfish
Gourami (any type except the giant pink ones!)
Bolivian/German Blue/Gold Rams (although 25c might be a bit too cold for the germans)
Other peaceful cichids
 
Apart from that, looks good! Put up some photos of the tank!

 

[richw]

Apologies for the quality of these photos - they were taken by my phone which appears to have a terrible camera! When I get some fish I'll get the DSLR out and get some decent ones..
 
https/www.dropbox.com/s/8db3d0v51xzuavf/tank1.jpg
 
https/www.dropbox.com/s/4ku9wg02zn0w8l2/tank2.jpg
 
Haven't decided on background for the tank yet, I'm thinking just a rocky scene would look good..
 
 
Angelfish - would absolutely love one or two but wouldn't they just eat the tetras?
 
The only reason the water is 25 is for the zebra fish - they tolerate up to 26 so I thought 25 would be a safe number incase it was a hot day etc..

 

[dgwebster]

I used to have Zebra loaches (botia striata) and loved the personality & snail eating of them.
 
I agree with the reduction of barbs/tetras to increase the shoal sizes of the other ones. I'd personally drop the neons for 9 or 10 rummys though.
 
Im not a centre piece person: I like my shoals and for the centre piece to be the 'scaping.

 

[Noahsfish]

Angels will prey on neons, why not go for cardinals, they're much more colorful and in my experience more hardy. For your own sake I'd get only female glows..if you're new to fish keeping please don't get German blue rams unless you have top notch water quality and maintenance. The cardinals and angels SHOULD get along fine, as long as you add the cardinals first and let them grow a little bit.
Guppies I meant

 

[Robbo89]

If you add both the neons/cardinals and angels as juveniles they are alot less likely to chase one another.

 

[the_lock_man]

Angels will prey on neons, why not go for cardinals, they're much more colorful and in my experience more hardy. For your own sake I'd get only female glows..if you're new to fish keeping please don't get German blue rams unless you have top notch water quality and maintenance. The cardinals and angels SHOULD get along fine, as long as you add the cardinals first and let them grow a little bit.
Guppies I meant

 
Why's that, then?

 

[richw]

Sounds risky but could be worth it, definitely going to consider it. Would you get the tetras first and let them grow a bit, or get them both the tetras and angels at the same time?
 
Cardinals do look very similar to Neons, might just get them because they're a bit more hardy!
 
I've read that guppies will nip other fish with long fins.. worried that angel fish might fall into that category (and vice versa).
 
Any other ideas for fish (incase I can't go for angel fish)? I'm not sure if I want a 'centre piece' fish or not, it's really hard to imagine what it'll look like!

 

[richw]

Recreated this topic in the general forum to get a wider range of feedback - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/420178-200l-community-tank-stocking/

 

[Dpayton11]

I'd do a bolivian ram or two.

 

[the_lock_man]

Recreated this topic in the general forum to get a wider range of feedback - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/420178-200l-community-tank-stocking/

 
Duplicate threads are frowned upon by the Moderating Team, it makes things rather untidy. I have moved the original topic over to Tropical Discussion, leaving a link to it in Beginners Q&A, and have merged in the one answer to the duplicate thread.

 

[richw]

Thanks for merging the topics the_lock_man!
 
Wasn't initially interested in Bolivian Rams but they're definitely on my radar now, I think they're growing on me!

 

[Robbo89]

Thanks for merging the topics the_lock_man!
 
Wasn't initially interested in Bolivian Rams but they're definitely on my radar now, I think they're growing on me!

Read into their spawning behaviours if you really want to get excited! 
 
And it's important to note, with bolivians, they will always look dull in the store, but when given a quality set up their true colourswill really start to show