I'm Rethinking My Entire Stocking Plan Now...

[eaglesaquarium]

Ok, as a kid my dad always stocked cories, livebearers, neons, head and tail light tetras, and zebra danios (not all at the same time), in a 20 gallon tall tank. So, when my son started talking about fish, I started to think about those as the type I would stock as well. But, after about 4 months of research, I've found that perhaps we have been missing out on some great fish!


I plan on a 56 gallon column style tank from Marineland (this one).


My original stocking plan is listed below, in my signature. But recently, I've been considering going with some more "interesting" fish (poor word choice, I know).


Anyway, here are the list of fish that I like:

Tiger barbs (I just love the look of them, but am a bit concerned regarding their aggressiveness.)
kribs
rams
pygmy cories (I just love the idea of a larger school than regular cories would allow without drastically limiting fish for the upper levels of the tank. With a tank 2 feet tall, I need some mid-top level dwellers!)
cardinal tetra
cherry barbs
phoenix rasboras - really small, but so colorful!
(still like livebearers)
harlequin rasboras
really like rainbows (boeseman, I think, but I realize my tank isn't long enough for them.)



Ultimately, I'd like a nice community (peaceful would be best), but also highly active! Any thoughts...

 

[KittyKat]

Your stocking is all over the place, to be honest. Have you considered going for 3-4 species and having more of them, providing the perfect parameters, having them breed, even? I would suggest something along the lines of..
* 12 dwarf Corys
* 1m 2-4f of Apistogramma or pair of Kribs
* 15 harlequin rasboras
* 1m 3-5f honey gouramis

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Your stocking is all over the place, to be honest. Have you considered going for 3-4 species and having more of them, providing the perfect parameters, having them breed, even? I would suggest something along the lines of..
* 12 dwarf Corys
* 1m 2-4f of Apistogramma or pair of Kribs
* 15 harlequin rasboras
* 1m 3-5f honey gouramis

Yeah, I know it is!

I am going to be getting my hardness tested, but haven't done so yet. My tap pH is a perfect 7.0, and holds that even after sitting, which is nice. I'm thinking that with that, my hardness has to be at least moderate.


And yes, I am trying to figure out what 3 or 4 species I want to focus on. There are just so many cool fish! It's hard to choose! That's why I am seeking help. I am starting to lean away from livebearers, even though I love their colors and temperament. But too many of them and I am just going to be over run!


Is it possible to go with 12 pygmy corydoras, a pair of Kribs, a pair of rams (would they work with the rams, would they have enough "territory" and be able to share with the corydoras?), and a school of 12 tigers? That is kind of my highest preference, but I am unsure about the rams mixed with the kribs, and unsure about the tigers mixed with the corys...

 

[KittyKat]

Are we talking about blue rams or Bolivian rams? Kribs are aggressive, so that's not really an option: I would advise you to go for the Apistos over them just because of that. Both ram species mix well with Apistos, but blue rams are a bit on the fragile side, so I don't recommend them to beginners, while Bolivian rams should have a 4ft tank, I think. If you want two species of cichlid, the best option would probably be one species of Apistogramma and a pair of red breasted acaras.

On the other hand, tiger barbs are on the rough side, so a pair of Kribs would generally work better with them than SA dwarfs.

But Kribs might be too much for the dwarf Corys.

If your pH is a perfect 7.0, then I imagine your kH is quite high (that indicates buffering capability).

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Are we talking about blue rams or Bolivian rams? Kribs are aggressive, so that's not really an option: I would advise you to go for the Apistos over them just because of that. Both ram species mix well with Apistos, but blue rams are a bit on the fragile side, so I don't recommend them to beginners, while Bolivian rams should have a 4ft tank, I think. If you want two species of cichlid, the best option would probably be one species of Apistogramma and a pair of red breasted acaras.

On the other hand, tiger barbs are on the rough side, so a pair of Kribs would generally work better with them than SA dwarfs.

But Kribs might be too much for the dwarf Corys.

If your pH is a perfect 7.0, then I imagine your kH is quite high (that indicates buffering capability).

Before this ends up going in a bunch of random directions, allow me to explain ultimately what I want in the tank, personality-wise, as well as aesthetics. I want a large school of fish that are colorful and active. A group that stays fairly schooled is preferred. Secondly, I want corydoras. I love them. A nice school of them has to be included in some way, that's why I am getting a bigger tank (to ensure I can get two nice schools of fish). And finally, I wanted a few "other" fish(es) that were in some way very interesting. Either extremely colorful, or active, or unusual. A betta, cichlids, etc.

So, for the focus, lets focus on the schoolers:

Option A - what would be a good stocking list with a group of 12 tiger barbs?


Option B - what would be a good stocking list with a group of 12 cardinals?


Option C - what would be a good stocking list with a group of 12 harlequins?


Option D - wild card... (I don't want to sound too close-minded, so any other thoughts are welcomed. I want a little variety, but mostly I want eye-popping visual appeal.)



A few things:

Pelvicachromis pulcher "Kribensis"
I was looking at this Krib - which is listed as peaceful. I guess you are saying that it is not?

This is my source: malawi cichlid homepage.com

In the confinements of the aquarium much depends on the size of the tank and the quality of the food. The Kribensis is a very peaceful cichlid and can be housed in a large community tank. Only during reproduction it can become a bit aggressive against fish of the same size or potential enemies of its future fry. Even then, there is no real risk for the other tankmates. Although a very potent swimmer it sometimes needs a place to hide. The tank should not be too small; a pair will need a 60 liter planted tank. Care should be taken to provide it with hiding places made from stones or bogwood. Kribs need a temperature between 24 and 28oC. Literature states that it needs soft water with a GH=6 but I as well as many other hobbyists have bred them in water with a GH=16 and a pH of 7 or higher. Regular water changes of 50% on a weekly basis are essential for the well being of the fish.

As far as the rams go, I was considering the Bolivian. But, they need 4 ft? Yikes... I only have 30 inches in the column tank. I guess that's a no-go.


The sites I was searching were listing Apistogramma's as semi-aggressive. Again, I must be using the wrong sources... I might have to go into the cichlid sections to get a little more advice from the folks over there.

 

[twodoctors]

I would avoid tiger barbs if you want a community tank. They can fin nip, even in large groups. They may limit the choices of fishes you can keep significantly. Same with cichlids. Some can be tolerant but some can be down right nasty, even the "non-aggressive" ones.

I've managed to return my firemouth and liver cat as I too am trying to recreate a proper community aquarium. Why not look into a biotope and try to recreate it?

Adrian

 

[Baccus]

I want a large school of fish that are colorful and active. A group that stays fairly schooled is preferred. How about Killi fish? I know you stated that you like barbs but they can be rather nippy as previously stated above. Killifish - Cape Lopez Lyretails at least should be able to be kept with harlequins as I believe they have similar water temp and ph requirements and both a meant to be peaceful community fish.


Harlequin Rosbora 4.5cm, live foods, water temp 22-25 degrees cel, pH 6.0-6.5 dH to 10 degrees.

Cape Lopez Lyretail 6cm, live foods and flakes, water temp 21-24 degrees cel, pH 5.5- 6.5 dH to 10 degrees

Cardinal tetras 5cm, live foods, flakes and pellets, water temp 22-26 degrees cel, pH5.0-7.0 dH to 10 degrees

And then some cory's on the bottom.

I know most of these fish are smaller types but they should all be able to go together judging by their basic water requirements I am not 100% sure how nippy the cardinals and harlequins might be towards the lyretails or vice versa but they are all supposed to be peaceful community fish.

 

[Marc1980]

You could go for a South/Central American set up. Maybe a Blue Acara, Firemouth and Keyhole ciclid with a school of Cories and a school of tetra (not small ones though.
I would avoid Kribs (especially a pair) if you want Cories as they can get aggressive toward them.

 

[KittyKat]

Option A - what would be a good stocking list with a group of 12 tiger barbs?

Seriously, don't go here unless you basically want to dedicate the tank to them.

Option B - what would be a good stocking list with a group of 12 cardinals?
Option C - what would be a good stocking list with a group of 12 harlequins?

Either one of these are good options, but I would go for 15 mid-water schoolers, instead of 12. Then on top of that, you can add your 15 dwarf/pygmy Corys and a trio of Apistogramma.

Option D - wild card... (I don't want to sound too close-minded, so any other thoughts are welcomed. I want a little variety, but mostly I want eye-popping visual appeal.)

Tetras or rasboras really are your best choice.. what about a school of 20-30 Boraras of one species, instead of the cardinals or harlequins? They would still go well with the Corys and Apistos mentioned above.

Pelvicachromis pulcher "Kribensis"
I was looking at this Krib - which is listed as peaceful. I guess you are saying that it is not?

Yep, that's pretty much it. When breeding, they will shred anything which comes close to them, especially fish like Corys, which are too stupid to keep well away.

As for the source: read 10, take the average. Take into account the breeding behaviour too. There is not much point quoting just one because any single source is very rarely completely accurate.. usually they tend to have some accurate information and some inaccurate.

As far as the rams go, I was considering the Bolivian. But, they need 4 ft? Yikes... I only have 30 inches in the column tank. I guess that's a no-go.

Let me put it this way: there are people who keep them in small tanks, but I have seen the difference it makes to the fish, to have a larger swimming space. Having seen the difference, I think it is large enough to mean that I will never keep them in a tank that small, if I have the choice.

The sites I was searching were listing Apistogramma's as semi-aggressive. Again, I must be using the wrong sources... I might have to go into the cichlid sections to get a little more advice from the folks over there.

It is all relative. South American fish are generally less aggressive than African fish. So compared to Malawi cichlids, Kribs are like kittens; compared to Apistogramma, Kribs are little terrors, bent on the destruction of all livestock.

Also cichlids tend to be "aggressive" predominantly to other cichlids.. for example, an Apistogramma male will happily try to beat the crap out of any other Apistogramma male because he is a competitor. On the other hand, the first male will probably completely ignore the existence of any tetra 95% of the time, even if the tetra is rubbing up against him. This is why I suggest only one male and 2-4 females, all of the same species and why dithers actually work as dithers.

Do keep in mind that all cichlids are aggressive, especially when breeding. But for Apistogramma, this aggression is often limited to other ciclids, which are trying to acquire the territory for breeding.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

KK,

Thanks for the details to your response.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

KK,

With the stocking that you are suggesting if I started by adding the cories, then the cardinals, then the apistogrammas, could I add a pair of GBR down the line, or would that not work with the Apistos?

How would any of these work with shrimp? Down the line I am interested in adding some ghost shrimp or red cherry shrimp (but I don't want to do it if I am just adding some expensive live food for the others!).

 

[KittyKat]

You should add Corys last, because they are scavengers or be sure to give them plenty of food. The dangers of adding them to a new set-up are usually starvation.

I have kept a pair of Apistogramma cacatuoides with a pair of blue rams before, in a 3 ft tank. It could work, it could not.. depending on individual fish. I would probably opt for one cichlid species, if this was my tank, because both would be competing over the bottom area (which is not that large).

Ghost shrimp should be ok, they are tough little buggers, cherry shrimp babies will definitely be on the snack menu, adults may be ok, depending on the individual cichlids. Keep in mind that shrimp do make up part of the diet for many dwarf cichlids.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

You should add Corys last, because they are scavengers or be sure to give them plenty of food. The dangers of adding them to a new set-up are usually starvation.

I have kept a pair of Apistogramma cacatuoides with a pair of blue rams before, in a 3 ft tank. It could work, it could not.. depending on individual fish. I would probably opt for one cichlid species, if this was my tank, because both would be competing over the bottom area (which is not that large).

Ghost shrimp should be ok, they are tough little buggers, cherry shrimp babies will definitely be on the snack menu, adults may be ok, depending on the individual cichlids. Keep in mind that shrimp do make up part of the diet for many dwarf cichlids.

I was thinking that the cardinals were more finicky about new tanks, and that the corys would fare better in that sort of environment. Is this thinking incorrect? Could I just get the corys and the cardinals at the same time? Or use a sinking pellet food for the corys? I figure that my son and I will be staring at the fish while feeding them, especially at the very beginning, so I don't think that underfeeding will be a major concern.... overfeeding on the other hand might be. (I know, it's not funny. )



I will give your advice very close scrutiny... I prefer the rams (especially the BGRs) to the apistogrammas. I guess it might come down to which I can find, and if I can find the colors that I prefer.

 

[KittyKat]

I keep rams myself, but do not recommend them to beginners because they are almost guaranteed to break out in ich a couple of days after you get them. On the other hand, if you are prepared and always keep medication at hand, the you should not have problems curing them. The size tank you have will take a pair nicely.

Some people say cardinals should only go into established aquariums, this is not the experience I have had with them. For me they worked fine in a new set up. Same people often say that Corys should only go into an established aquarium, too.

p.s. it may make a difference that when I talk about my own experiences, I often mean in a heavily planted set-up, even when it is new.

 

[anon02]

In my 55 gall I have
10 harlequin rasboras
10 rummy nose tetras
10 cardinals
6 pepper corys
6 julii corys
There is always something to look at, everyone gets along and the different species are good shoalers. If you were to add the cardinals last, by the time the other species are quarantined your tank should be fine for the cards. With a similar stocking you would still have room for a pair of rams or apistos down the line if your water was suitable