Tank Mates - Compatibility And Such!

[marcybeth0281]

Hey... I've posted on some other forums - but thought I'd get some more opinions here.

I'm ready to finish stocking my new 46-gallon tank. My current fish (transferred from my 10-gallon) are currently happy and residing in their new luxurious abode. They are:

1 Hatchet
1 Black/yellow wag
4 Harlequin rasboras

I'm adding 2 more harlequins tonight so they have a school of 6. I'm also planning on adding 2 more hatchets since my current hatchet (Miss Mona) is my FAVORITE fish ever. She has survived 2 tank transfers, a house move, a suicidal jump out of the tank where she laid on the floor for at least a minute before we realized she was gone, and a ripped dorsal fin which had her swimming in circles for a week. (And people say hatchets aren't hardy...PSHHHH)

So those are my definites. Ideally for looks, I'd like to add (4 or 6) male cherry barbs and a pearl gourami. Everything I've read states that pearls are docile and won't hurt my harlequins. As long as my harlequins are planted in the tank first and I start with a small pearl, will I be okay?

Also....I need bottom dwellers. I'm not a fan - never have been. I can't seem to keep them alive and I'm not sure what to do. The hubby wants a pair of clown loaches. I'm used to keeping my fish dosed with some aquarium salt, but can't if I do the loaches. What else would you suggest to get some life to the bottom of my tank? Any bottom dwellers ok with salt? We have sand substrate, so it would be a shame if no one got to take advantage of the cool sand. =/

Thanks for suggestions/comments!

 

[angelfishguy]

your hubby will have to do without the clown loaches seeing as they need alot of space which you dont have...
have you tried keeping corys?

 

[JA5ON]

Could go for a couple of small plecs easy to look after and will keep ya tank clean a was looking at getting 2 today but i had 5 golden barbs pass away one me last night. Have a look at bn's but they r a hate them or love them fish.

 

[sic0198]

Corries for bottom dwellers.

 

[marcybeth0281]

46 gallons isn't big enough for 2 clown loaches if they have the entire bottom to themselves? really?

trust me - i'm not fighting FOR them - but i've read 46 gallons is plenty. is that wrong?

cory's are a negative on the salt too, though, right?

gahhhh i just don't like the look of cory's. i know a ton of people just adore them, but they look like little old men to me - lol. ANYTHING else??

 

[arobinson1984]

Check this site: Clown Loaches

They can grow upto 16" and require minimum of 75 gallons

I agree the Bristlenose plecs are a bit of a marmite fish, you either love them or hate them, personally I love them, they are so cute and do a good job of keeping the tank clean. You could prob have 2 in your tank.

Andy

 

[marcybeth0281]

Okay, those bristlenose plecos are adorable. I'll most likely get a pair of the dark colored ones. Yay!

And can someone confirm whether aquarium salt is alright with these plecos? I've never owned them before. And also thoughts on the pearl gourami with the harlequins....

Here's my tank, just for kicks. You can see my current fishies enjoying the new tank in the close-up pic.

 

[meguro]

No bottom dwellers can handle salt to my knowledge (loaches, corys, plecs). So I suggest doing two large water changes before adding the bottom dwellers. Other fish that hang around the bottom and love sand are rams and apistos. I would recommend looking at Bolivian Rams, if you go with them get two max (you'd probably need a few more caves added if you wanted four).

Nice tank too btw, clean and simple.

 

[arobinson1984]

Nice tank! Your little fishes look lost in there lol

You have no need to use aquarium salt so I would do as suggested, large waters changes to remove the salt then use freshwater from now on.

I have an albino bristlenose and he's a cute little thing (well I say he, too young to sex at the min)

Andy

 

[marcybeth0281]

I actually haven't added any aquarium salt to this tank even though my fish are in it. The fact that my fish are used to the salt and now won't be having any - will there be any adverse reactions to the absence of salt? Or will they just adjust and be fine -

 

[arobinson1984]

They will just adjust to it and be fine.

As far as I'm aware, adding salt to a freshwater tank does more harm than good. I'm sure I've read threads on this forum along those lines.

Andy

 

[marcybeth0281]

Yeah, I was actually doing some research on the salt additive, because people have so many differing opinions. I've always used it because in my very first tank, the LFS told me to and I didn't realize that they might not have known what they were talking about.

I think I'll keep salt around for my sick tank in case of any fungal infections or such. Thank goodness I didn't throw it in this tank so I don't have to do another unnecessary huge water change - LOL.

 

[marcybeth0281]

OK....if you guys could clear ONE more thing up. I just youtube searched "bristlenose pleco" and there is a video of a giant bristlenose pleco on there. HUGE. I do NOT want to get any of the plecos that grow giant. =/

 

[arobinson1984]

BN plecs only tend to grow to around the 6" mark, although I have seen what you mean on YouTube. I think them bn plecs are that size due to the combination of a massive tank and probably specialist feeding

Andy