Tank Stocking Ideas...

[Glod]

In my 80 US gallon (300L) Community tank I have the following : -

8 Platys (various), 20+ Platy fry of all sizes !, 1 Bristlenose Plec, 7 Cardinal Tetras, 6 Harlequin Rasorbas, 5 Zebra Danios, 2 Pearl Gouramis, 5 Corydoras Trilineatus.

In general I am quite happy with the tank, but I have decided the livebearers were not the best choice So, after a discussion with my local pet shop, he agreed to take on the platys and the fry when they are old enough and re-sell them. Now I am wondering what to add *instead of* the platys.

Things I definitely will be doing as space permits - Add 2 more Pearl Gouramis (female). Possibly add a single Krib or a pair of Kribs. Add a few more cardinals to bring the shoal up to around 10.

I like the platys, but I don't want to continually be bringing up the fry I may keep a few males but am wondering if anyone could suggest some nice fish preferably colourful and no more than about 2 inches full grown that I could add.

I look forward to hearing your ideas !

*edit* removed all the extra lines.. whish I knew why this forum does that, lol.

 

[Callum]

maybe some rainbow fish also kribs will bully your cories

 

[dwarfgourami]

If platy fry have been a problem, I don't think I'd go replacing the platies with a pair of kribs. Breed like platies, but fry are more difficult to sell. The rainbow suggestion sounds good to me- how about a school of dwarf neon rainbows?

 

[n3ont3tra]

Your danios could possibly nip at rainbowfish

 

[wendywc]

^^^^^ Interesting, I haven't heard of danios nipping rainbows. Did that happen to you?

 

[n3ont3tra]

No, but one of my friends said they nipped thier rainbowfish. I don't know what size tank he had, but I think it was too small because I never heard of it happening either.

 

[Glod]

I had considered rainbows, boesmani are the ones which appeal most, but they get a bit bigger. You reckon the kribs will harass the corys ? Or only if they breed ? I suppose I could always add one Krib if that would avoid the problem. The reason I was considering them was to have something I'll actually see at the lower levels of the tank It's 4 ft long with many plants and rocks for hiding in so I had thought the corys would be ok.

Ok... Any other suggestions for a lower reaches fish that won't hassle the corys ?

 

[n3ont3tra]

Clown Loaches, they grow very big, but very slow, and they're peaceful and colorful.
The rainbowfish you're talking about only get to about 5 inches, max. You may be able to get one in there if you do weekly water changes.

 

[Glod]

I'd considered clowns, but I think they really need a bigger home. It's very unlikely I'll have a larger tank any time in the next few years so that's probably not the wisest idea They are handsome fish tho !

And so the search continues... The perfect fish must be out there somewhere

 

[n3ont3tra]

You could probably just get a few more cories. Or, well, I'm not really sure if these are really "bottom feeders" but maybe Coolie Loaches. They only grow to 4 inches and are very nice looking.

 

[Callum]

kribs will harass you cories even when there not breeding because cories have no idea of terrotories and the kribs will be angry there terrotory is being invaded by a cory

 

[QuotheRaven]

cories will be bullied (my kribs doing this currently to the cories when they get even close to her) However cories are tough so if the tanks big enough & with enough hiding places could work ok

 

[Glod]

No other thoughts on possible candidates then ?

 

[wendywc]

A group of pencilfish OR peaceful barbs (cherry barbs or 5-banded barbs) OR gudgeons (if you can find them, also I'm not quite sure how outgoing they are).

Also, I haven't had these but they might be worth researching...
- killifishes (lots of kinds out there) OR a couple of german rams