When Adding Fish, Which Is Added First

[Lady J]

If I want a school of rasbporas and some cory cats plus a male betta, what should be introduced first, 2nd and last. Thanks

 

[ZoddyZod]

unlikey to matter with this species.

I presume the tank will be cycled first?

 

[Lady J]

Oh, absolutely as it is cycling right now. I am still seeing high nitrites and continuing to add ammonia so it will be at least 3 more weeks if not longer. I feel a bit frustrated because of compatibility (lol). However, I have my heart set on a betta so all other tankmates will revolve around compatibilty with him. Also, will all raspboras do well?

 

[crazyforcordoras]

That dosent matter unless you are dealing with cihlids and aggressive fish.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Hi there! What size is your tank?

Actually it can matter when dealing with bettas

Rasboras and corys are fine with a betta but I would get them first, let them settle for a week or so, then add the betta. It just reduces the chances of agression from your betta because he's claimed his territory before the others arrive.

 

[Lady J]

Thank you for your quick responses! I love killifish and rainbows but neither seems to be good with male bettas. I've narrowed it down to the raspboras and corys simply because it sounds as if they'll all get along. As with most people, I don't want any fish wiped out.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

All rasboras are fine with your betta and all types are peaceful fish, what will determine which rasbora you get is the size of your tank as some are bigger than others The same goes for the corys!

 

[Lady J]

Ok, can I add any type of raspboras? I've seen some gorgeous ones online that I've never seen in pet stores. Or, do differnt species have different temperments?

Oops, sorry, it is a 30g. long (36" wide x 17" high) with driftwood, sand substrate and live plants with 78w. of t5s.

I want my tank WAY understocked so I will pick raspboras and corys that are on the smaller side when full grown.

Sorry, another question: does this sound like too many fish for my little tank?

 

[crazyforcordoras]

Well depending on tankmates, it can. But in this situation it dosent. Its just rasboras and cories.


And you cant add any type of rasboras. Scissortail rasboras get quite large and are extremely active. Espeis rasboras are great! And then you could add six cories like peppered cories or skunk cories.

 

[Lady J]

I was thinking either red striped Burmese and Galaxy, if I can find them. However, they are little and perhaps too small for the betta?

Sorry, typing error. Red Striped Burmese OR Galaxy, not both.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Well in that case you can have any type of rasbora My favourite are the espei rasboras (Trigonostigma espei) or chili rasboras (aka mosquito rasboras/boraras brigttae) but the latter are really tiny so probably not the best for your tank You have a good choice of corys you could choose from as well

 

[Llegmore]

To be safe, I'd always advise adding a betta last. Their personalities can be pretty territorial.

 

[Lady J]

Thank you so much for your help! I figured the betta would have to be last but I like the input from others. Do you think my tank will be understocked, which is my goal.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Well it all depends on the numbers and exact types of cory and rasbora you get lol

But there is no reason why you couldn't be understocked with these fish.

 

[Lady J]

Sounds great, thank you so much for your help.