What Additions Shall I Get?!

[hannah9000]

So, we have our new tank, 240L 4ft and while it's going through the filter for a few days and heating up, we're discussing what additions to get...we currently have:

3 Neon Tetras including stumpy our tail-less neon!(had a few deaths)
3 Penguin Tetras
2 Black Widow Tetras
5 Lampeye Tetras
3 Zebra Loaches
1 Bristlenose Pleco (Gary)
1 Sailfin Pleco (Harry!)

We're going to get about 10 more neons, so they are back in a big group again. And i'd like a Red Tail Black Shark...would this get on ok with our current stock?
What suggestions please?

 

[KittyKat]

Here is what you should probably do:
* 7 neon tetras
* 7 penguin tetras
* 7 black widow tetras
* 7 lampeye tetras
* 6 zebra loaches
* 1 bristlenose pleco

Schooling fish do best in groups of 6+, sailfin plecos are not suitable for a tank that size.

And i'd like a Red Tail Black Shark...would this get on ok with our current stock?

No, it will harass your other fish too much. Sharks are aggressive.

What suggestions please?

Here is what I would do if this was my own fish tank:
* 15 neon tetras
* 15 penguin tetras OR black widow tetras OR lampeye tetras
* 6 zebra loaches
* 1m 2f bristlenose pleco
* 1m 1f lace gourami
* 1 pair Bolivian rams

Or more likely, just have 30 neons instead of two schools. Maybe even consider a group of Apisto. cacatuoides as well, if filtration was good.

 

[hannah9000]

Here is what you should probably do:
* 7 neon tetras
* 7 penguin tetras
* 7 black widow tetras
* 7 lampeye tetras
* 6 zebra loaches
* 1 bristlenose pleco

Schooling fish do best in groups of 6+, sailfin plecos are not suitable for a tank that size.

And i'd like a Red Tail Black Shark...would this get on ok with our current stock?

No, it will harass your other fish too much. Sharks are aggressive.

What suggestions please?

Here is what I would do if this was my own fish tank:
* 15 neon tetras
* 15 penguin tetras OR black widow tetras OR lampeye tetras
* 6 zebra loaches
* 1m 2f bristlenose pleco
* 1m 1f lace gourami
* 1 pair Bolivian rams

Or more likely, just have 30 neons instead of two schools. Maybe even consider a group of Apisto. cacatuoides as well, if filtration was good.

My sailfin pleco is currently only 3 inches in length. I'm aware they get up to 20'' but I thought a 4ft tank would be suffice for him?
I read that sharks are aggressive to other sharks?

 

[lilfishie]

i think the minimum for a common is 4x2x2 but sailfins get bigger so will need a bigger tank in my opinion, the sharks are aggressive to other sharks or anything that looks like one, including loaches

 

[KittyKat]

My sailfin pleco is currently only 3 inches in length. I'm aware they get up to 20'' but I thought a 4ft tank would be suffice for him?

Maybe 4*2*2 ft fish tank.. but not the standard sized ones. Personally (having kept common plecos before), I would not put one in anything under 5*2*2 ft.

I read that sharks are aggressive to other sharks?

Yes, they are. They will also try to kill anything else they happen to fancy bothering on any specific day.

 

[hannah9000]

My sailfin pleco is currently only 3 inches in length. I'm aware they get up to 20'' but I thought a 4ft tank would be suffice for him?

Maybe 4*2*2 ft fish tank.. but not the standard sized ones. Personally (having kept common plecos before), I would not put one in anything under 5*2*2 ft.

I read that sharks are aggressive to other sharks?

Yes, they are. They will also try to kill anything else they happen to fancy bothering on any specific day.

Thank you, Very helpful advice