New Setup, Fish List

[Cichlidkeeper]

I'm setting up my first community tank. I'll be using a 50 gal breeder that used to be a reef tank. I haven't decieded of substrate yet. I plan on using fake plants at first. I'm doing this switch in order to reduce maintence. So live plants aren't in the mix right now. Anyways heres the list.

6 Neon Tetra
6 Black Neon Tetra
6 Rummynose Tetra
10 Zebra Danios
6 Synodotis Petricola

Let me know what you think.

 

[CroNiC]

It is looks good. Maybe u shud add 2 more neon tetras and 2 more black neon tetras

 

[fish4meplz]

Ya looks good to me good luck

 

[diademhill]

I'm setting up my first community tank. I'll be using a 50 gal breeder that used to be a reef tank. I haven't decieded of substrate yet. I plan on using fake plants at first. I'm doing this switch in order to reduce maintence. So live plants aren't in the mix right now. Anyways heres the list.

6 Neon Tetra
6 Black Neon Tetra
6 Rummynose Tetra
10 Zebra Danios
6 Synodotis Petricola

Let me know what you think.

Synodontis petricola are from lake Tanganyika and have water requirements at the top of the hardness scale. The zebras will be ok with this but the tetras won't appreciate it.
I would expect these catfish to eat neon sized fish overnight.
Which way do you want to go- you could have a great tank with the Synos and Julidochromis etc or go with the tetra based community?
If you want to reduce work, what are your tapwater parameters?

 

[Cichlidkeeper]

First of all thank you for all your comments.

To address the last post. The Synodotis Petricola only get to about 4" max. I have a local supplier here that breeds them. The purchase size is about 1". If you know much about Petricola's they are slow growers so I assume the tetras will reach max size well before there will be a problem. As far as water parameters I think my tap is around a PH of 6-6.5. I wasn't planing on altering PH at all. I fell you can raise most fish under these conditions as long as your goal isn't breeding. If my memory serves me correctly I think Syno Petricola's prefer softer water anyways.

Let me know if you still see this as a problem. I'm not trying to argue, I want to be sure thats why I asked.
Thanks again

Oh yea, I think this is about it for stock level. I would like more but I know it would mean more maintence. We will see though.

 

[fishing4exotics]

The S. petricolas are from high pH and hard water. Since you are getting your petricolas from a local breeder check to see if he has his petricola fry acclimated to the same local water.

Most fish that are bred in captivity will eventually, through generations, acclimate to different water conditions than their original location.

 

[Cichlidkeeper]

This local breeder does have the same water supply. She claims to alter none of her water. So there should be no problems.

I found this profile on Planet Catfish. It mentions that the fish breeds in "less than neutral" water conditions. I don't know the validity of this statement. I would also like to mention that I keep 3 of these already in my none altered tap water.

EDIT: I though I read some where that they live in estuaries of Lake Tanganyika where waters are more acidic. I wasn't able to find that article some maybe I'm confused. This may explain why they breed better in neutral water.

Again I'm not trying to argue I'm just weighing everyones opinions. You help and thoughts are appreciated

 

[CroNiC]

Honestly looks like you know what you are doing. I did do a little reaserch on Synodotis Petricola myself. You were right females grow to 4" and males to 3"
And i doubt they will touch the neons because i read that they are very peaceful and shows no intrest in the smallest of the fish. Looks good to me ... if you need the link ask.
However I am not sure about the hardness of the water and such. But it looks like your confident and you know what you are doing and i wish you good luck

 

[Jephex]

sounds great, i love zebra danios, they're so lively