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Stocking idea for my 20H

Rocky998

Rocky998

Kinda crazy, but somehow they let me stay
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This is what I was thinking for my 20 gallon high:

3 Peacock Gudgeons
4-5 julli cories
(Maybe) 7 Harlequin Rasboras
2-3 nerite snails

If I cant do Harlequin rasboras I definitely would like to know other options... I want to try and stay away from neon tetras and cardinal tetras, I dont know why... I think I'm trying to stay away from "aquarium classics" and try to go for more of an "exotic" feel... Hopefully I'm not sounding kinda cruel to the other beautiful fishies
 
I would first increase the number of cories to 8-9. If you can get the true Corydoras julii, this is a relatively small cory. The "julii" in most stores will be C. trilineatus, but it too is fairly small. So whichever, a group 0f 8-9.

As for the Hartlequins, I would suggest the smaller and less active relatives in this genus, either Trigonostigma espei or T. hengeli. These are smaller, less active (better with the Tateurndina ocellicauda), and very peaceful. A group of 8-9 here too.

The T. ocellicauda will be fine with the above.
 
Byron said:
I would first increase the number of cories to 8-9. If you can get the true Corydoras julii, this is a relatively small cory. The "julii" in most stores will be C. trilineatus, but it too is fairly small. So whichever, a group 0f 8-9.

As for the Hartlequins, I would suggest the smaller and less active relatives in this genus, either Trigonostigma espei or T. hengeli. These are smaller, less active (better with the Tateurndina ocellicauda), and very peaceful. A group of 8-9 here too.

The T. ocellicauda will be fine with the above.
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Ok! Thanks! I will look into those
 
The two species Byron mentioned have several common names which tend to be used for both - slender rasbora, copper rasbora, lambchop rasbora, porkchop rasbora, and of course espe's rasbora and hengel's rasbora. Look for those names first, then see what the scientific name is (if the store gives it).
 
I would replace the cory you selected with the smaller pygmy cory. These are nice little fishes and imho more suited for a 20 H. You could consider the panda cory which is a wee bit bigger than the pygmy if you really dislike the pygmy. Also the pygmy have a more interesting behavior than other cory in that they will actually school and like to swim as a pack. Most cory like juli and panda shoal and like being in a group but individuals do their own thing.

Other small fishes you could consider if you can't find the desired rasbora include ember tetra and green neon tetra. Both are fairly small and hardy. The green neon can be really small; maybe too small given the peacock but the ember should be large enough.
 
anewbie said:
I would replace the cory you selected with the smaller pygmy cory. These are nice little fishes and imho more suited for a 20 H. You could consider the panda cory which is a wee bit bigger than the pygmy if you really dislike the pygmy. Also the pygmy have a more interesting behavior than other cory in that they will actually school and like to swim as a pack. Most cory like juli and panda shoal and like being in a group but individuals do their own thing.

Other small fishes you could consider if you can't find the desired rasbora include ember tetra and green neon tetra. Both are fairly small and hardy. The green neon can be really small; maybe too small given the peacock but the ember should be large enough.
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I'm ok with panda and pygmy... I just really like the julii cory. But ill look into them at my lfs. Thanks!
 
Essjay said:
The two species Byron mentioned have several common names which tend to be used for both - slender rasbora, copper rasbora, lambchop rasbora, porkchop rasbora, and of course espe's rasbora and hengel's rasbora. Look for those names first, then see what the scientific name is (if the store gives it).
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The stores near me just call them lambchop Rasboras. Thanks though! Cause I'm sure there are some people who would look for the exact name that was given lol
 
Rocky998 said:
The stores near me just call them lambchop Rasboras. Thanks though! Cause I'm sure there are some people who would look for the exact name that was given lol
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You must use the scientific name to be certain of what you are acquiring, that was one of essjay's points. Having said that, "lambchop" generally refers to Trigonostigma espei, but unless you verify this with the store (they can check their invoice which usually have the assumed scientific names), or can tell the difference yourself, you cannot be certain. Photos below may help.
 

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It is worth learning those photos. When I got my espes the shop had three Trigonostigma species in different tanks. They were labelled harlequins, espes rasboras and hengels rasboras. There were only three or four fish in the tank labelled espe's rasboras but there were a lot of hengels so I got 15 of them. It was only as they started to settle in and colour up that I realised the shop had got them the wrong way round and I actually had espes. They look like the first three of Byron's images.
 
Essjay said:
It is worth learning those photos. When I got my espes the shop had three Trigonostigma species in different tanks. They were labelled harlequins, espes rasboras and hengels rasboras. There were only three or four fish in the tank labelled espe's rasboras but there were a lot of hengels so I got 15 of them. It was only as they started to settle in and colour up that I realised the shop had got them the wrong way round and I actually had espes. They look like the first three of Byron's images.
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My lfs orders them from a company that breeds locally and has their scientific names on their fish. But I understand that lfs arent perfect and dont get everything right.
 
Even if you know the name and picture of the fish you want to buy; what you buy won't be what you expect because there are always impostors masquerading as the fish you want just so you buy them instead....
 
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