Would This Mix Work?

[Dickie]

Hi,

I'm setting up a new tank after a while doing only saltwater tanks. The tank is 48x18x18. I plan to have it quite heavily planted.

I will be transferring fish from a setup my GF already has.

Currently this is 3 bllue rams (1 male 2 females), several guppies, 2 swordtails (1 male and 1 female), 4 corys, 1 male betta and a bristle nose plec.

As well as these, I'd like to have some angelfish and cockatoo apistos. I'll obviously be adding some smaller shoaling fish. Haven't really decided yet as the setup is still a while off.

Would this combination of cichlids be ok in a tank this size? What stocking levels would be suggested?

Dickie

 

[kev_kb]

Hi,

I'm setting up a new tank after a while doing only saltwater tanks. The tank is 48x18x18. I plan to have it quite heavily planted.

I will be transferring fish from a setup my GF already has.

Currently this is 3 bllue rams (1 male 2 females), several guppies, 2 swordtails (1 male and 1 female), 4 corys, 1 male betta and a bristle nose plec.

As well as these, I'd like to have some angelfish and cockatoo apistos. I'll obviously be adding some smaller shoaling fish. Haven't really decided yet as the setup is still a while off.

Would this combination of cichlids be ok in a tank this size? What stocking levels would be suggested?

Dickie

Angels would be fine, I would stick to either Rams or Apistos though. Personally I wouldn't keep a male betta in a tank that size, let alone with that company!

 

[Dickie]

Angels would be fine, I would stick to either Rams or Apistos though. Personally I wouldn't keep a male betta in a tank that size, let alone with that company!

What problems would there be having a betta in a tank this size? I've kept one for 3 years in a tank of 36x15x12 with similiar tank mates with no problems.

Dickie

 

[kev_kb]

In my experience they always do better in a small tank, though it was mostly small due to them being picked on by tank mates. The cichlids would have a go at him for sure, his flowing fins would be too much to resist. I've also read its better to give them a small tank as they feel the need to patrol all areas of it and it makes life easier for them.