Yet Another Fishless Cycling Query! - Update

[OldMan47]

The stocking level sounds OK but I would hold off on the otocinclus until your tank has matured for a while. meanwhile the rasboras would be a nice initial stocking.

 

[nitrochicken]

Update;

Hi Everyone,
My fishless cycle has finally finished. It has been processing amm and nitrite in 12 hours since Monday and I'm planning to get some fish on Saturday.
I was planning on geting 6 galaxy rasboras, however, I have seen another fish in the LFS called leopard danio, they look almost the same to me so what is the difference?(except about £1 in price)
I was also planning on getting 3 oto's/ pigmy corys for the bottom of the tank although now I've been reading it seems they are not reaslly suited to gravel substrate. Are there any alternative (v. small) bottom dwellers that may be more suited to my tank?

Thanks

 

[Miss Wiggle]

excellent,

the galaxies and danio's are actually the same family (galaxy rasbora is an incorrect common name for them, the correct common name is celestial pearl danio but both are used regularly) so body shapes etc are v similar, the leopard danio's get a lot bigger than the galaxies. the galaxies in the shop will often look fairly drab in terms of colouring, kind of grey/brownish, once they are settled into your tank they come out in a beautiful purple colour with red fins on which leopard danio's most definatley do not get!!

both ottos and pygmy cories are not suitable for newly cycled tanks, have a look at something like dwarf chain loaches as an alternative.

 

[waterdrop]

Gee MW, zebra danios have really come a long way since the 60's/70's! Back then I only ever saw (and had) zebra danios (exactly as still commonly seen in stores now) and the Giant Danio (a very different looking and larger fish, although same speed and personality iir.)

I would have never guessed (without seeing) that a "galaxy rasbora" was really a funny-colored zebra danio! You really know your LFS labels and mislabels! Seems like the leopard danios were the first breeding variation off of the zebra ones, but I'm just speculating, don't really know that.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Miss Wiggle]

the celestial pearls are a different species, not a morph of the zeb's. were only discovered a year or so ago..... had you not heard the story about them?

 

[nitrochicken]

Update:

We got 7 galaxy rasboras yesterday, actually asked/paid for 6 but when I got home there were 7 in the bag! Thats not bad considering they were £2.99 each!
We also got 3 cherry shrimp. Now I'm not actually sure if one of them is a cherry, looks a bit too light coloured but maybe he'll brighten up.
They all seem very happy in the tank, the shrimps are fun to watch and I'm amazed at how fast they scoot round! They don't stop eating either so hopefully should start to clear up some of the algae.
The galaxys seem a bit shy, they hang about at the back corner near the powerhead and have only come to the front when I put in a chrushed up food flake. Is this because they are in a new tank or are they always likey to hide like this?
I've read somewhere that if I put in a couple of endlers they will encourage them out more.
Does anyone think this is worth doing or will they come out on their own eventually? My other worry is that the endlers would have lots of babes and my tank is only 28l.

I'll post a picture as soon as I get round to taking one.

Thanks

Dale

 

[waterdrop]

Dale, that's great news!

Hopefully you are feeling like all the prep work was worth it? Sounds like the new occupants are seeming very happy.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[OldMan47]

I don't know if endlers will work as a dither for rasboras but I do know they are not at all shy about going where they please in my tanks. They are delightful little fish in their own right and I am fairly certain that when they are in a tank with the rasboras not very many, if any, endler fry will live to grow up. Actually only the males ever get any color to them so why not just get a few males.

 

[nitrochicken]

Hi,
I thought I'd post a couple of pictures for you to see.
Couldn't get a good one of the whole tank as the front glass is curved and reflects everything!
Fish were hard to snap because they are mostly hiding and move quick!

I think I'm going to get a pair of black bar endlers to try. I can always give them away if they breed too much!

Dale

 

[Miss Wiggle]

great pics, the rasbora's should come out after a few days, particularly with such small fish they do tend to hide away when they are in a new environment, it's just until they are certain that they are safe and there's no predators around.

give them a week and see what's happening then.