What Fish Shall I Get

[TomMcTaf]

Hi first post for me, so apologies if I’ve missed something.

I am stuck on what new fish to get, and how many more I can have, I have looked over many posts on this forum, which are very informative, but I’m still stuck. Here is my set up:

I currently have Rekord 60

http/www.juwel-aquarium.de/en/rekord.htm

Using this fish calculator (60litres, 13 UK Gallons), I can have Approx 28 inches of fish? This seems a little steep? I thought it was an inch per gallon?

http/www.thinkfish.co.uk/calculators.php?calc=stocking

Tank has been cycled. I have 5 Bleeding Heart Tetra’s and 1 Honey Gourami (Silver with a black Stripe), I presume a male. Is this a total of 12 inches (2” each?)

I also had 2 other honey Gourami’s, one red, one yellow. Unfortunately these died. I believe the yellow one developed a swim bladder issue, as the back of his belly was slightly swollen and he sank to the bottom a lot and didn’t swim. The red Gourami I think died of stress, his two fins, sensory things, got nibbled off by one of the other fish, which fish I’m not sure, but I suspect the tetras.

Water is fine; I have tested it every month for the last four months since cycling.

So how many more fish can I have, I was thinking about a Dwarf Gourami and some Rasboras if the above calculation is correct, if not and the inch per gallon is the correct rule, I would just get a dwarf Gourami.

You help will be much appriciated,

Regards

T

 

[waterdrop]

Hi Tom and wecome to TFF!

"This seems a little steep?" Yes, the inch per US gallon guideline is quite rough and meant only to "draw a line in the sand" in an attempt to lessen the number of beginners that hang themselves. Its a maximum type number already packing a tank past what a natural aesthetic would probably look like except in some crowded reef situations. We tend to like it here as a way to limit stocking for the first year or two after which an aquarist might be more ready to explore overstocking, if they can afford the extra filtration etc. By then they should have more understanding of the signs they would get when overstocking wasn't working and what to do about it.

Making a good stocking plan, to me, does seem to be one of the steeper learning curves in the hobby as not only is there this overall rough max thing to worry about but there are so many worries on a species by species basis and lots of bits of data needed for the decisions. Its always maximum adult size that's used in calcs, so that entails collecting those and trusting that you've found good info on that. Each species will have fall somewhere in the range of "loaner" to "fish that needs a large shoal of buddies" and there will be some concensus on a minimum shoal size you can get away with without stressing them too much if its the latter. Then finally there are the species to species interactions, the numbers of which multiply as you plan multiple species in a community tank.

Bleeding Hearts, unfortunately, are right up there among the nippiest tetras (they -are- beautiful though!) and are not small tetras. Its good that you've got 5 but the members may feel even a few more would get them under better control, I'm not sure. I suspect 6 is used often as a min number for them. They may have been a cause of stress in the other fish, assuming it wasn't a problem with toxin measurements (you -have- got a good liquid kit, right?) or simply unhealthy specimens. Dwarf gouramis (or any for that matter) might suffer the same stress from bleeding hearts, so it may be that the members can make other suggestions (a second tetra shoal of a different species may be one suggestion.)

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Assaye]

Beginners' Resource Centre

Before you think about more fish, make sure you know the stuff in this link. Have a read

You need to make sure your tank is ready for more fish - no waste chemicals present, good filtration, suitable decor (no sharp edges, nothing that had paint that will flake off, nothing with small holes a fish could get trapped in) and that you have a good test kit!

Once you're all set, here is what I would do with your tank:

5 x shoaling fish (Bleeding Heart Tetras)
2 x mid sized fish (honey gouramis)
5 x small bottom feeders (corys, otos, etc)

That way you have nice levels in the tank - the shoaling fish add movement, the mid-sized fish are something to watch and take centre stage and the bottom feeders give you something going on at the bottom and they'll also eat food that drops to the bottom.

28 inches of fish is WAY overstocked. The stocking plan I have put up is MAX stocking (esp as you're still new to this). You don't want to over stock and find yourself with dead fish.

 

[TomMcTaf]

Thanks for the detailed responses Waterdrop/Assaye, it’s appreciated,
In answer to your questions, I have a starter test kit, which included Ph, Ammonia, Nitrate, and Nitrite. All within acceptable levels. (I’ve written this all down, monthly, but unfortunately that’s at home so I can post the numbers yet!)

http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/fish-treatments/test-kits-for-aquariums/nutrafin-test-kits/nutrafin-mini-master-test-kit.html

I am also doing regular weekly water changes, gravel clearing etc as per your beginners thread. So the water quality seems fine.
All the décor is seems appropriate, some plastic plants, rocks, and wood from my LFS, they were soaked/cleaned for a few days (before I started cycling)

I also definitely do not want to overstock my tank, I want happy fish, its also seems easier to clean, the less fish you have? 
I am very interested in keeping Gourami’s, as they are very pretty fish, failing that another shoal of tetras, or some some Oto’s/Cory’s. In total I don’t really want anymore than another 5 fish that you have suggested Assaye. Do Oto’s/Cory’s need to be kept in groups?

Maybe some more people will post up some suggestions, but I will of course let you know what I decide , and will post my water later.

Thanks

t

 

[Assaye]

Yes, otos and corys need groups. I'd recommend 6+ of each, although you could probably get away with 4 or 5 corys.

If you get pygmy corys, you'll probably be able to have about 10. Normal corys, though, often get between 2 and 3 inches long so stick to 5 or 6. There are lots of different species so plenty to choose from!

Otos are pretty teeny and very good algae eaters, so 6 would be a good number for them. Best off in mature tanks, though, so give it a few months.

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum TomMcTaf.
As WD has already said, it is best to try to follow the inch per gallon guidance at first to make the fish care easier for a new fish keeper. As you gain experience, it is possible to increase the population but it would not be a good idea to add another shoal of fish to that tank. In order to do that you would be adding at least 5 of the next fish and that would be pushing fairly hard on crowding the tank too far. Instead, you might look at a mate for your gourami or even one or two more of your tetras.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, 16 inches (this is a 16 USG/60L tank) of mature fish body (fins don't count) is definately what you're working toward although as you can see, that's one of the simplest parts of the puzzle. The guys are already showing you examples of how you begin to play with the simplistic inch guideline by slightly increasing numbers of the smaller fish or lowering the numbers of the larger fish. The shoaling minimum numbers are one of the main complications along with the fact that you always have decide on what you think the max adult size of a given species is, because that's a basic you work with.

Your actual test results are consistently true zero ppm ammonia and zero ppm nitrite(NO2), right? And your regular weekly gravel-clean-water-changes are holding nitrate(NO3) within about 20ppm or less -above- whatever your tap water nitrate(NO3) measures, right?

~~waterdrop~~