The First Extra Addition

[Cossie1111]

Well in a couple of days I need to go out and buy some test kits and a few other bits and bobs, and if every thing turns out ok a few days after that I plan to add some fish.

So I have a 16gal, atm a betta is in there with no problems.

I know I want to have 2 platies and 12 harlequins, but I dont know what I should get first.

Should I buy 3 harlequins, and then 3 ect until I have 12 - and then the 2 platies?

Or should I get the 2 platies first - and then slowly build up to 12 harlequins?

Thanks in advance.

 

[KittyKat]

Hi, how long has the tank been set up for? Is the filter fully cycled, and if yes, since when? Is the tank planted?

If your tank is 2 ft long or shorter, I recommend that you go for espei rasboras; if it between 2 and 3 ft long, then hengeli or espei rasboras; if it is 3 ft or longer, then harlequins or either of the other two. This is because in my personal experience, when observing harlequin rasboras from the same group in a 2 ft and a 3 ft tank over 6 months +, in as identical conditions as is possible to get in a home environment, the harlequins in the 2 ft tank were stunted, had poor health and did not spawn, while the harlequins in the 3 ft tank (and later a 5 ft tank) grew larger, had no health problems and spawn regularly. Adult sizes are 30 mm for espei rasboras, 40 mm for hengeli rasboras, 50 mm for harlequin rasboras (the first two are published & peer reviewed, the last I can confirm from my personal experience). The three species look similar enough that the average non-fishkeeper cannot tell them apart.

12 rasobras of one species is a perfect group size

I normally recommend that first one increases the feeding of existing fish to twice per day. Then 1-2 weeks later, add 6 rasboras and drop the feeding by half. 2 weeks later (if there are absolutely no problems), add 2 rasboras. After this, 2 fish per week (assuming there are no problems). If there are any problems, wait at least 7 days from the day that they are resolved). Increase feeding slowly; remember that feeding once every other day should be enough for the fish for up to 1-2 months, if they start off in good health.

I recommend against platys because they are social fish, so normally do better in groups, unless you go for about 6 or so. If you keep two of one sex, it would not be surprising if the dominant one would pick on the sub-dominant one. The rule of thumb which applies to keeping small (under 20 fish of one species) mixed sex groups of livebearer is at least two females per male because the males can get a bit too frisky for one female to be able to put up with it.

I would expect one of my 60*30*30 cm tanks to be able to take 1 Betta, 12 espei rasboras and 1m 3f platys if it is planted, suitably filtered and I have somewhere to remove the fry to every 1-2 weeks. If you really want harlequin rasboras, I would personally not keep anything more than 1 Betta and 12 harlequins in a 16 gallon.

 

[Cossie1111]

Ok thanks,

So personally, what would you put in 16gal?

I really want as much diversity as possible

 

[CezzaXV]

I have a 15gal, and I have 5 cories, 7 cardinal tetra and 6 guppies, although tbh I think this is bordering on too much.

Are you cycled? If so, you'll want to add fish very slowly to give the bacteria chance to build up. At the moment the bacteria are handling the waste from a single betta, which won't be very much at all. They simply won't keep up if you add all those fish at once.

If you're not cycled yet, you may wish to hold off until you are.

 

[KittyKat]

So personally, what would you put in 16gal?

I really want as much diversity as possible

Diversity is not really compatible with happy schooling fish in a small tank… what are your water hardness and pH?

Personally, if I had neutral water and a Betta, I would probably be quite happy with 1 male Betta splendens and 10 espei rasboras. If I was stocking from scratch, I would probably not have a Betta and go for a biotope.

I've created a list of fish which will fit into a 60*30*30 cm tank which is at http/aquariumadventure.wordpress.com/species-for-a-60-litre-aquariums/ Based on that, here are some ideas which are centred around the Betta and a heavily planted tank (more plants -> tank normally can take more stocking, click the links for species names):

If you have soft water and sand:
* 1 male Betta
* 8-10 South American mid-water schooling fish of one species
* 8-10 dwarf Corydoras of one species

If you have neutral water and sand:
* 1 male Betta
* 8-10 Asian or South American mid-water schooling fish or rainbows of one species
* 8-10 rosy loaches or 3 Hara or 10 dwarf Corydoras of one species

If you have hard water:
* 1 male Betta
* 8-10 livebearers of one species (NOT guppies, endlers are probably best choice) in a 2+ females per male configuration

Note: for smaller fish, 10 should be fine per species, but will look crowded. For larger species, 8 is probably better, even through I prefer to see 10. Some of those species might not be easy to find in Australia, but some rainbows are native to Australia if you want to go for a "local" look.