Stocking?

[Ruskull]

I'm not familiar with the temperament of those gourami. Hopefully someone else is.

All Three Spot Gouramis are very aggressive! I wouldn't add any males if you don't want problems. I've become very good at determining male & female with all Three Spot Gourami types including Opaline, Gold, Blue, etc.

Pearl Gouramis are far less aggressive and still the males can be a hassle. If you have the opportunity to get (2) females & (1) male Gourami you'll be much better off. In my personal opinion they look much better than the Three Spots anyway and you don't have to worry about fish chasing fish as much.

 

[FishFanatic04]

I was planning to get a good ratio of males to females with all of our fish anyway...give those poor ladies a break already!! haha but I think we were planning only 2 Opaline gourami...we may add one more female to that eventually...I plan to learn ahead of time to identify the males from female anyway. I learned the hard way when we were sent home with 3 male platys and one female...its not fun taking fish back because you didn't research and trusted the employees to be fish encyclopedias.

I like the Lemon tetras a lot...and cardinals too. We have left behind the dreams of barbs I think...we can't find five banded barbs anywhere to see in person and I really don't want my Angels and Gouramis to be overly stressed or nipped at.

The lemons may look pretty since we are going plant crazy.

Really appreciate the suggestions...Every time I look at new fish I get all excited again. I love them all!!! How can we fit all the fish in my house? hmm...

 

[FishLover66]

We chose the five banded barbs in place of tiger barbs because they look similar....any suggestions on another schooling fish that looks as nice?

I have marble hatchets that basically stay at the top of the tank. They are jumpers, so you need a cover and watch them when you have the cover open/off. They are very skittish and basically just swim motionless until it's feeding time and they go nuts skimming the top of the tank.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

From waht I hear of angelfish, would it be wise to start with a larger number of angels and see who pairs off and then keep two pairs, and rehome the rest> buying 4 angel fish doesnt quarantee a pair.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Yikes... Could I keep the unpaired fish anyway? I worry about having a plan to rehome any. I wouldn't want to bring them home and not plan to keep them...we {me, my hubby, and kids} name our pets on the way home and they become family right away. Luckily we will have the 46g and 75g so I can rearrange all of the fish if I need to for peace. We are sticking to mostly peaceful species so it should be ok.

I wouldn't even know how to handle getting a new home for a bunch of angels. I mean do you know if they pair off somewhat quickly? If its within the return policy of wherever I get them, I could take them back. I could be happy with that situation...but if it's like months, it would never work. We would be attached.

Fish are oh so complicated.

 

[onidrase]

Yikes... Could I keep the unpaired fish anyway? I worry about having a plan to rehome any. I wouldn't want to bring them home and not plan to keep them...we {me, my hubby, and kids} name our pets on the way home and they become family right away. Luckily we will have the 46g and 75g so I can rearrange all of the fish if I need to for peace. We are sticking to mostly peaceful species so it should be ok.

I wouldn't even know how to handle getting a new home for a bunch of angels. I mean do you know if they pair off somewhat quickly? If its within the return policy of wherever I get them, I could take them back. I could be happy with that situation...but if it's like months, it would never work. We would be attached.

Fish are oh so complicated.

IMO, unpaired would be better. When the angels breed, they'll become more aggressive, which is why the unpaired fish would need removing. They'll be particularly aggressive to others of their species outside the pair. Also, when they pair, they'll become a threat to other inhabitants. I would tell you to get all males, as that will limit aggression best, but angelfish are pretty much impossible to differentiate sex. I'm honestly a little confused about how large angelfish tanks work.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Figured I would write here instead of starting, yet another thread.

My tank is almost cycled. It cleared off the chart 5.0+ nitrite down to .25 ppm overnight. My plant order is in and arriving Wednesday. But the biggest issue is of course Stocking!! I need to place my fish order on Monday with my LFS...They are already ordering in Apisto's for my 46g, and are more then willing to help fully stock my 75

The Current list:

4 Angelfish {looking for pairs, so will be switching them around}
3 Opaline Gourami 1M:2F {Or 3 spot}
15-Kuhlis
15-Julii Cory Cats
2- Plecos...Won't know what L # until I see the inventory list.

Now I need a good school. My PH is 7.6 - 7.8 in this tank. I originally wanted cardinals, but I'm worried about them thriving. I have Von Rios in my 46 but they don't exactly feel like a school. I love Black Phantoms, but haven't seen them in person. I would like a lovely pack of fish zipping through my plants together. Suggestions? Please.