30gal tank, wondering what my options are

[Malkavian]

I'm somewhat torn in what I should stock this tank with. I'm leaning in two main directions in terms of what fish to get but it appears from my research that the two are mutually exclusive in such a small tank.

Plan A: Several small colorful fish such as dwarf or african cichlids. I've been told in a 30gal I could fit three to four small cichlids (Labs or rams) plus a bottom feeder, is this accurate?

Plan B: Predatory fish. Having a couple of larger predatory fish, such as a small (3-4) school of red belly piranha, or butterfly fish and Bichirs, wolf fish, etc.

Plan C: Biome tank. Minnows, newts, crayfish, etc.

I'm really not that interested in your standard tetras and whatnot, as I've kept those sorts of tropical fish for years and I'm trying to get into something different, but as I've not kept a tank this size before I'm not sure if my ideas are feasible for what size tank I've got or if they are exactly what my options are for number of fish, etc.

Would really appreciate any constructive suggetsions as to the flaws in my ideas, species ive overlooked, etc etc. Thanks!

 

[IMCL85]

Hmm how about discus? Get like 3-4 of them. They looks beautiful . Thats just my opinion. On ur selection I will go with plan a. i love colorful fish like african cichild.

 

[Malkavian]

I'd thought about discus but I hear they're picky...and that you need at least a 55 for them..could it work in a 30?

 

[IMCL85]

They can be kept in 30 g no problem. Before I have them in a 20g trying to breed but not very successful. Many breeder of discus keep all there pair in a 20g and I think 30g is enought for like 3-4 discus no problem. I kept mine in 75g is because they dont breed so I just want them to be healthy. And mine r like 6-7" now I bought them when they r no bigger then a 25c coin. They are how ever a type of fish require alot of attemption. But as now I have 2xsponge filter with uv sterilizer install. they r very healthy and happy. I dont plan on breeding discus. Just keep ur tank bare so it make it alot easier to clean.

 

[Spyderdf]

Yea discus are picky and should be in a well established tank, i dont kno about keeping them in a 30 gallon. Id go with atleast a 40 or a 55. But then again ive never tried it in a 30

 

[keeper-of-fish]

wolf fish/p's get to big sorry so thats out

 

[keeper-of-fish]

how long is the tank?

 

[dwarfgourami]

Piranhas would need a bigger tank.

I'd go with the cichlids- post in the cichlid forum.

Or maybe something like paradise fish (I imagine a 1 male, 2 female setup- but am not sure, they may be more aggressie than that).

Or could you fit small hatchetfish into a 30 gallon, don't really know?

(What I would do personally would be to get myself a nice shoal of some less common tetra, like Cochu's blue tetra, and something like adolfoi corys, but that's personal preference and I gather you didnt' want tetras).

And don't apologise, it's great fun encouraging other people to buy fish I can't afford myself, vicarious retail therapy.