Good Starting Fish?

[RossC]

So after two weeks my tank is finally ready to begin stocking its a 90 litre. Does getting 3 Cory cats and 6 platters sound ok as first fish in?
The tank is planted with extra aeration from long airstone and a DIY CO2 generator is going to be introduced within the next two days.

 

[moochy13]

id put the 6 platties in first, leave it a few days to make sure everything is good, then get 6 cories. they should be in groups of 6 minimum. have you got sand ? also 2 weeks is a very quick cycle, did you start with some mature media ? id be a bit concerned and would be testing the water a lot if you're already putting fish in.

 

[RossC]

id put the 6 platties in first, leave it a few days to make sure everything is good, then get 6 cories. they should be in groups of 6 minimum. have you got sand ? also 2 weeks is a very quick cycle, did you start with some mature media ? id be a bit concerned and would be testing the water a lot if you're already putting fish in.

The tank is was planted during the cycle and yes I used some existing media I worked closely with my LFS to confirm my tests and progress.

 

[moochy13]

cool beans. even so, as cories should be in groups of 6, adding 12 fish at once might be a bit risky, i dont think i would do it. id get the platties, give it a couple of days, then do a waterchange, get the 6 cories, and shouldnt be a problem.

 

[RossC]

cool beans. even so, as cories should be in groups of 6, adding 12 fish at once might be a bit risky, i dont think i would do it. id get the platties, give it a couple of days, then do a waterchange, get the 6 cories, and shouldnt be a problem.

Ok I'm sure I can wait for my corries LOL I'd rather have healthy fish than too many suffering ones.

 

[moochy13]

good idea, if the cories you want are still likely to be in the shop in a few days, or are common enough that you can get them reguarly, erring on the side of caution is never a bad thing.

 

[RossC]

good idea, if the cories you want are still likely to be in the shop in a few days, or are common enough that you can get them reguarly, erring on the side of caution is never a bad thing.

I would like to get guppies in as well eventually but as they are less hardy they will be introduced later. Would I be better getting one pleco instead of 6 corries as I don't want to overstock.

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

Get an algae eater too, they clean your tank, they are really tough, and they are pretty much invisible too.

 

[fidjet2]

Most algae eaters grow far too big for a 90L i was told from alot of people on here.....

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

Get a Bristlenose catfish, I have one in a 60L tank. He is only 3 inches, but 4 years old.

Just make sure he has a lot of caves and hiding places, where other fish won't bother him/her.

 

[Tizer]

not all tanks get algae

 

[moochy13]

if you get algae something is wrong with your lighting. also, a 4 year old BN thats only 3 inches long is stunted, they should be twice that size, particuarly males. dont buy anything called an algae eater at the lfs, as the other guy said, most are chinese algae eaters and get too big and are aggressive. you could maybe look at clown plecs and pitbull plecs, the 2 smallest easiest to get hold of plecs i can think of. smaller than a BN. plecs are more messy than most fish, which is soemthing to remember. whether 1 plec is as messy as 6 cories i dont know. i think 6 cories would be alright, with the 6 platties, and a few guppies eventually.

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

By "an algea eater" I mean a catfish, or pleco. I've never seen them advertize like that, and I got the brisltenose it was an inch.
Why is it small?

No, of course not all tanks get algae, but some do. My BN cleans up waste from the bottom too.

 

[Tizer]

No, of course not all tanks get algae, but some do. My BN cleans up waste from the bottom too.

excess food? feed less.

 

[Louiseness]

you could maybe look at clown plecs and pitbull plecs

Just to mention that if you're LOOKING for an algae eater a clown plec won't really do much for you.

But you don't HAVE to get any plec unless you actually want one. Any algae you do get should be easily wiped off with a sponge or scraper every once in a while - as has been said, if you're getting crazy amounts you probably have a problem with lighting or excess food.