Advice With Stocking My Tank....want A "showfish"

[Squeegeatc]

We have a new 55 gallon tank.   I have an overstocked 10 gallon right now (thank you PetSmart) and am now trying to do things the correct way.  The old fish to be moved are as follows
 
Harlequin Rasboras--3
Black Skirt Tetra---3
Ghost Shrimp--at least 1, but maybe more.  
Rainbow Guppy--1
Red Platy--1
Mickey Mouse Platy--1
 
 
I know the last 3 should be kept in schools.  The guppy was a surprise fish.  It came as fry with the ghost shrimp!   I had 3 of each kind of platy, but I didn't realize the tank wasn't heated.  That problem has been rectified.  I do NOT want to add more platys or guppys.   I don't have a problem growing my Tetra and Rasbora schools to a proper size.   The online info all says 3, but you guys say 6.  Why?  My husband wants a fairly large school of neons.  Probably 10 or 12.  I want some khuli loaches.  Adding just those 2 fish breeds to the tank almost brings us to full stock.  I have maybe enough room for 1 larger showcase fish.   I love the angel fish, but realize that will be a nono with the neons.   Is there anything else that we can add?
 
Also, we will need the cleanup crew.   The Otocinclus---does that "count" toward the bioload?  Snails, or not?   shrimp, crabs, even frogs? 
 
Or do I need yet a bigger tank for all that I want??!! 
 
Thank you in advance.  
Squeek
 
 

 

[noobgamers]

a true flying fox would solve the algae problem and the show fish problem but you would have to get rid of the ghost shrimp if you have further algae problems consider a small pleco like a pitbull although they do count towards the bioload what is the stocking of your 10 gallon you might be able to transact some fish between tanks (just a suggestion) which could solve overstocking problems in the small tank hope it goes well

 

 

[Gruntle]

I don't have a problem growing my Tetra and Rasbora schools to a proper size.   The online info all says 3, but you guys say 6.  Why? 
 
 

Because in the wild, these fish school in the hundreds, if not thousands. A school of at least 6 gives them more comfort, plus in many species you'll get display behaviour from the fish (I think as they argue over which fish is the king of the pack). A small school means they are frightened more often and don't have the comfort of a lot of fish to form a large mass and potentially discourage predators. If the school isn't big enough they'll probably spend their time hiding from predators (whether there are any predators or not).
 
Six seems to be the minimum size of a school, based on years of observations by many fishkeepers such as ourselves.
 
Personally, I'd love a massive tank with a few hundred neon tetras, but for some reason the wife is not keen on the idea.

 

[cjheck]

a true flying fox would solve the algae problem and the show fish problem but you would have to get rid of the ghost shrimp if you have further algae problems consider a small pleco like a pitbull although they do count towards the bioload what is the stocking of your 10 gallon you might be able to transact some fish between tanks (just a suggestion) which could solve overstocking problems in the small tank hope it goes well

 

 
Why make the analogy of a pleco to a pitbull?

 

[Squeegeatc]

Cjheck......There is a Pitbull Pleco. It's a fish.
 
Are there any fish/invertebrates that do NOT count towards the bio load?   And will plants increase or decrease the number of fish I can safely keep?
 
As soon as I can, the fish in the small tank will all be moved over to the big tank, so the overpopulation issue will be solved very soon.   I plan on starting the water swaps to acclimate the fish Wednesday morning, so they should be ready to move over Wednesday night. 
 
Gruntle.....Thank you for the explaination.  I feel bad for the 3 solo fish.  I will try to rehome them, but my LFS doesn't want them.  And my tank can't handle 6 of each of them as well as the others.
 
Sigh----too many decisions!!

 

[Gruntle]

Pitbull Pleco. It's a breed. Grows to 2-3" long.
 
Another option might be a Bristlenose Pleco (grows to about 6").

 

[Ninjouzata]

Shrimp don't add much to the bioload, so would stick with those if you like them?
 
Why is it you're wanting fish specifically for cleaning?
As you know cleaning the tank is your job (I mean that in the least rude way possible) If you're getting a lot of algae there is a reason for it.
 
Have you looked at craigslist? You could try re-homing fish through that.
 
And your LFS won't take them, even for free? :c

 

[Squeegeatc]

Well, I thought one NEEDED cleaner fish.   I did a lot of reading last night and discovered otherwise. I didn't have anything for "cleanup" but a few ghost shrimp in the 10 gallon, and only had an algaue problem when I had lights.  It was BAD.   I was scraping it off daily.  Then the lights burned out and no more algae issues.  The new tank has LED lights--not sure if this makes a difference or not. 
 
We are fairly rural here.   Craigslist STINKS.  And honestly, doesn't appear very safe these days.   There is only 1 LFS, and the two big box stores.  All 3 site health issues for the rest of their stock.  I could get a few of the platy's and keep the in the 10 gallon in a kid's room, but I already dealt with livebearers----NO more guppies!  LOL  And the next time i get a bonus fry with shrimp, I'm giving it back!  I will continue asking around and see if I can rehome the solos.
 
I found a "stocking calculator" called AqAdvisor.  I know it's geared towards rookies, and seasoned vets know better than an equation.   But is it still a decent tool for someone like me?  According to it, the things I have planned for it work easily and only at 75% capacity.   That is growing the schools of rasboras and black skirts, adding the loaches and otos (but I worry that is too many bottom dwellers) and the school of neons. 
 
I want a fish community that is as diverse as possible while still being happy.   I added a sand river bed and lots of mini caves in preperation for the kuhli loaches.   I KNOW I want them, and I want them happy.   I didn't expect to get 5 or 6 though!  LOL  we had 1 single in a tank I had as a kid.   But 30 years ago things were different.

 

[the_lock_man]

Pitbull Pleco. It's a breed.

 
JUst cos I'm a grumpy old wossname, it's a species, not a breed

 

[Ninjouzata]

As you've discovered, you don't need cleaning fish Do you recall how long you were leaving your lights on?
 
I see, that's understandable that craigslist may not be an option then. I do wonder if someone would be willing to come pick them up though if they were free.
I realize you probably don't want to just give them away though If concerned about safety perhaps meet at a gas station nearby? Or is even that too far?
 
Do you mean all 3 of them will not take fish due to concern about the fish bringing in sickness? Or the store has sick fish? Sorry if I'm being bothersome just trying to understand 100% what you're saying.
 
If you don't want fry from livebearers, just get all males. I do think platys need a 15g though.
 
I would not put a lot of faith in that stocking calculator, it doesn't take everything into account that the people here will, so be sure to ask here rather than relying on that calculator.
It is no trouble at all for people here to help, that's what we're here for.

 

[Squeegeatc]

On average, lights were on A LOT.  Probably 7am to 10pm.    
 
The 3 solo fish are cheap----money isn't an issue at all!!!  I am sure i could find a kid who wants a small tank, but is that any more humane than what I'm doing to them? 
 
Livebearers----we had Dalmatian Mollies.   GORGEOUS.   Somehow we had single girl.   And when we saw the first batch of fry, the kids got all excited.   Then upset when we witnessed Dad eating one!  LOL  Soooo, added extra plants for cover, and became overrun!  I ended up learning what was boy and girl, separated them, gave a LOT away, and finally they died off.  Probably because I didn't know what I was doing!  It was a nightmare.
 
The 3 stores are concerned that I will bring them a sick fish.   The big stores don't want to deal with a quarantine tank, and the little LFS is a TINY place with no room for one.  They have to rotate their stock.   I've asked them about Kuhli Loaches.   They currently do not have any, but have had enough people inquire that "as soon as we have a tank open, we will order some and call you"  I have only spoken to them on the phone.  I will pay them a visit soon.
 
I still wonder about a show fish.   You know...that ONE fish that drags people to the tank in the first place.   The 12" long pleco, the huge angel....etc.   Yes, I KNOW those are not safe for my tank.   Just using them as examples!  The other things mentioned are tiny.  Cute, and I like, but tiny.   I imagine a tank this size, and this docile, won't tolerate a fancy dancy thing.   Shoot--even those darn comets are gorgeous.   But again, I know it won't really work.
 
oh---and can I safely have a school of kuhlis AND a school of otos in a 55, or is that too many bottom dwellers?   I still don't have any surface dwellers, either, but Husband hates hatchetfish.

 

[the_lock_man]

Something nice and peaceful, nice and colourful, reasonable size, top dwelling - Gouramis! There are some very nice species that are very colourful.
 
Alternatively, you could try an apistogramma species, bottom dwellers, but again very colourful, particularly the male.
 
Again top dwelling, killifish are also very colourful, but you need to be careful with which species, as some are not really considered suitable for a community tank.

 

[Squeegeatc]

I'm looking at the gourami's now.   Sadly, the ones that keep grabbing my attention are all aggressive. 

 

[noobgamers]

 

a true flying fox would solve the algae problem and the show fish problem but you would have to get rid of the ghost shrimp if you have further algae problems consider a small pleco like a pitbull although they do count towards the bioload what is the stocking of your 10 gallon you might be able to transact some fish between tanks (just a suggestion) which could solve overstocking problems in the small tank hope it goes well

 

 
Why make the analogy of a pleco to a pitbull?
 

no a pitbull pleco is a type of pleco that stays really small around 8cm

 

[noobgamers]

Pitbull Pleco. It's a breed. Grows to 2-3" long.
 
Another option might be a Bristlenose Pleco (grows to about 6").

yeh a bristlenose would be good as well or a bulldog pleco(here we go again)

Well, I thought one NEEDED cleaner fish.   I did a lot of reading last night and discovered otherwise. I didn't have anything for "cleanup" but a few ghost shrimp in the 10 gallon, and only had an algaue problem when I had lights.  It was BAD.   I was scraping it off daily.  Then the lights burned out and no more algae issues.  The new tank has LED lights--not sure if this makes a difference or not. 
 
We are fairly rural here.   Craigslist STINKS.  And honestly, doesn't appear very safe these days.   There is only 1 LFS, and the two big box stores.  All 3 site health issues for the rest of their stock.  I could get a few of the platy's and keep the in the 10 gallon in a kid's room, but I already dealt with livebearers----NO more guppies!  LOL  And the next time i get a bonus fry with shrimp, I'm giving it back!  I will continue asking around and see if I can rehome the solos.
 
I found a "stocking calculator" called Advert for another forum removed.  I know it's geared towards rookies, and seasoned vets know better than an equation.   But is it still a decent tool for someone like me?  According to it, the things I have planned for it work easily and only at 75% capacity.   That is growing the schools of rasboras and black skirts, adding the loaches and otos (but I worry that is too many bottom dwellers) and the school of neons. 
 
I want a fish community that is as diverse as possible while still being happy.   I added a sand river bed and lots of mini caves in preperation for the kuhli loaches.   I KNOW I want them, and I want them happy.   I didn't expect to get 5 or 6 though!  LOL  we had 1 single in a tank I had as a kid.   But 30 years ago things were different.

what is your size tank and any preferences