First into the tank...

[modernhamlet]

My 29 gallon Malay Peninsula community tank is starting to look solid. The plants seem to be taking hold a bit. The ammonia is about gone and nitrites are coming down quickly. And that means… I may be able to add fish this weekend.

Exciting! I know there will be 2 Pearl Gourami, 8-10 rasboras, 1 SAE, and perhaps a couple of shrimp. Problem is, I’m not sure which fish to get this weekend. Even though I did a fishless cycle, I don’t want to throw too many fish in immediately. None of these fish are really in the standard “good cycler” category. Any suggestions?

I’m guessing the Gourami’s are the hardiest of the bunch, but I’m not sure if putting them in first will make it more difficult to add the other fish. Pearl’s are more peaceful, but you never know.

Thanks!

 

[TheWaterBoy]

My guess would be to add the Rasboras first. The reason being if you have a large number of bacteria colonies and it adjust to only taking care of the ammonia produced by 2 fish then when you add the 8 or 10 rasboras later there will be a bigger ammonia spike then if you had 8 or 10 and then added 2 Guaramis. Thats just my 2 cents I could be wrong

 

[crazie.eddie]

The gourami would be a better choice.

FYI, when the SAE get bigger, they will get a bit more aggressive and tend to suck on larger, flatter fish, such as the gouramis.

 

[modernhamlet]

The gourami would be a better choice.

FYI, when the SAE get bigger, they will get a bit more aggressive and tend to suck on larger, flatter fish, such as the gouramis.

Eddie,

I think you might be confusing the Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus siamensis) with the Chinese Algae Eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri).

Apparently, CAEs are often sold as SAEs.

http/www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/

 

[fishy frenzy]

i think that the gouramis are the best choice there what i used as my first fish in the tank