Subtropical/Temperate stocking ideas

I have a Fluval 200 Roma (approx 50 US Gallon)
Sand substrate
Plants (20+ Vals, 20+ Anacharis, several Java Fern, Java Moss and 3 Anubias)
2 large pieces of bogwood
1400 L/H canister filter with UV
I have a heater but haven't fitted it as room temperature keeps the tank around 20-24°C

So far I have 6 peppered cory and the setup has been centered around these, temperature, substrate and PH wise (added bogwood and dried almond leaves).

I'm likely going to add more plants in the near future.. plus the Vals and Anacharis will soon spread out.

I'll be getting more peppered corys at some point, not sure what a reasonable stocking would be, 12 altogether?
As a centrepiece fish, I was thinking goldfish, but then I don't want the bother of having to re-home them when they outgrow the tank.
Another thing, I would perhaps like to keep the fish native to South America. At the moment I'm thinking perhaps some Odessa Barbs?

What do you reckon for a temperate setup?
Thank you

Goldfish won't do great, its a bad idea. Goldfish should not be put in with tropical fish at all. Cories need temperature of 25 C and as you have cories I wouldn't do any temperate or coldwater fish when you already have tropical fish.

Thanks Salty&Onion. My understanding is that c paleatus corys in particular thrive at lower, 'subtropical' temperatures, with the upper end being 25°C? I am probably going to add my heater to the tank, but just to ensure it doesnt drop below 20°C.
I had already decided not to add the heater because I was aware these corys prefered slightly cooler water (not coldwater) compared to most tropical fish.

Where did you get the info about this? Cories are tropical fish and they will do beter in 25 C like any other tropical fish.

A couple of sources online: (the 2nd link is a .pdf)

PlanetCatfish.com - Corydoras(ln6) paleatus • Callichthyidae • Cat-eLog


Corydoras paleatus - US Fish and Wildlife Service

Attached image is taken from the pdf.

I appreciate that corydora are generally 'tropical' fish, however I was aware that this particular type prefers a lower temp (subtropical)

Yep, you're right. Sorry, my bad

No probs, appreciate your concern!

I had peppered and bronze in a community tank about 12 years ago, and after learning that the peppered preferred colder water, I ended up giving them away.

So yeh.. i suppose ive limited my options by getting these corys now

mbsqw1d said:

No probs, appreciate your concern!

I had peppered and bronze in a community tank about 12 years ago, and after learning that the peppered preferred colder water, I ended up giving them away.

So yeh.. i suppose ive limited my options by getting these corys now

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I don't think so. Peppers like temperature up to 26 C unless you want to breed them

Most cories do indeed require cooler water than many tropical species and c.paleatus are great in the 20-24 range. They are not really temperate fish though, so I would not let that drop below 20. As for numbers I have 20 in a similar sized tank, along with 10 c.sterbai.

Odessa barbs would be a great choice. Personally I would go for a large group, at least 12 but 20 is better. These are in fact Asian, but I think it would be a great combo. Oh and you would not need a centrepiece with that combo - the barbs will be the main event

Cool, thats a +1 for the Odessa's then!

I do like the idea of a shoal, swimming against the flow of the powerhead, and the redish colour of the barbs contrasting against the green of the plants

So really, 20 cory and 20 barbs in a 200 litre, as many as that that!?

@Russjw has a barb tank. Pretty sure it is a Roma and also pretty sure he has cories in with them. Do a search for "River Stream" in the titles.

seangee said:

@Russjw has a barb tank. Pretty sure it is a Roma and also pretty sure he has cories in with them. Do a search for "River Stream" in the titles.

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Found it, nice one I'll have a good read through. And yeh, his setup is a beauty

Its looking like this at the moment btw
Need more plants and possibly wood.. id like some stone but worry it'll raise the PH too much

mbsqw1d said:

Its looking like this at the moment btw
Need more plants and possibly wood.. id like some stone but worry it'll raise the PH too much
View attachment 108630

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Lovely set up

That's already looking pretty good. Use slate or other inert stone and it won't affect your pH. The quick test is drop some vinegar on it. If it doesn't fizz its probably ok.