New Tank

[AndrewRenard]

ok, becasue my black convicts breed too much, i was thinking about setting up a nice little community tank, tetras and the lot, my list was this- (i have a 32 gallon aquarium)

5 Albino Aeneus Corydoras Catfish
10 Neon Tetras
5 Head N' Tail Light Tetras
1 Silver Dollar*(?)
3 Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami


Tell me how that sounds, all suggestions welcome

edit: im gonna set this up because i might et rid of my convicts

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

The Silver Dollar probably wont go. you can also get a few more fish than that. maybe a few Neon Blue Rainbowfish.

 

[Alien Anna]

(i have a 32 gallon aquarium)

5 Albino Aeneus Corydoras Catfish
10 Neon Tetras
5 Head N' Tail Light Tetras
1 Silver Dollar*(?)
3 Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami

Tell me how that sounds, all suggestions welcome

I think it sounds like the basic of a great tank!

For some reason, fish don't seem to be able to school properly in groups under 6 (my theory is that fish can only count up to 5: 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... Many!) so get another cory to complete your school. Likewise, get another head-and-tail-light tetra.

I don't think the silver dollar would be great in there, personally. Aren't they schooling fish too?

I know what the books say about gouramis, but my experience is that 3 is a crowd, and dwarf gouramis are particulaly aggressive, so I suggest you get a mated pair instead. Alternatives would be pearl gouramis (a little bigger, if that was the reason you wanted the silver dollar) or honey gouramis. I'm biased in favour of the pearls because my male is particularly spectacular

Personally, I just don't think a tank is complete without a dwarf plec in there somewhere, so I'd definitely add a bristlenose. Supposedly, they eat algae, but presumably mine never gets hungry enough for that! If space is a problem, females are smaller (3.5 inches).

In total you have a tank with plenty of colour, lots of different behaviours (making up the schools to 6s helps this too) and something happening at every level. If neons are a little difficult to obtain, consider cardinal tetras instead. Similar colours, but slightly hardier and immune to Neon Tetra Disease. Don't forget - you'd need plenty of plants in there and some bogwood, particularly if you do get a plec (although all the catfish appreciate wood).

If you haven't already set up the filtration, consider that gouramis won't breed unless their water is relatively still. Also, under-gravel filtration isn't so good if you have live plants. Corys enjoy swimming up bubble-walls, apparently.

 

[CFC]

Silver dollars are a shoaling fish and IMO grow too large for a 32g,they grow to around 6" diameter (sometimes bigger) and need to be kept in a group of at least 3,prefferably more.Thet are also the equivilent of aquatic lawnmowers so will ruin ant chance of having any live plants in the tank,which when keeping small fish like tetras is a must IMO as it helps to make them feel more secure.

 

[AndrewRenard]

thank you, what about blue gourami's?
i found a place that will buy my cichlids for 2.00 a piece, i like the neons but are cardinal tetra's better? also, i was thinking instead of the silver dollar, what about a couple blue rams*(?) well thank you for the help ill try that id lieka firendly tank...id have to get rid of ym algea eater though...my gold nugget plecos to big to keep in a community tank thank you for hte help

 

[AndrewRenard]

what about blue rams...i read those were communitty fish, and also....wha about buonos ares tetras?

 

[Alien Anna]

thank you, what about blue gourami's?
i found a place that will buy my cichlids for 2.00 a piece, i like the neons but are cardinal tetra's better? also, i was thinking instead of the silver dollar, what about a couple blue rams*(?) well thank you for the help ill try that id lieka firendly tank...id have to get rid of ym algea eater though...my gold nugget plecos to big to keep in a community tank thank you for hte help

I thought blue gouramis were just blue, dwarf gouramis in a different colour form? Anyway, provided they don't get too big I'm sure they'd be fine.

I wouldn't say cardinal tetras are "better" than neons - it's entirely a matter of taste. Cardinals tend to be a bit hardier, and being a little bigger tend not to get eaten so readily by other fish. In UK, we don't really get cardinals in until next month. Apparently, they're seasonal (wild-caught, you see).

I don't know much about cichlids, except kribs. Why not post to the cichlid forum and ask for opinions?

Do check on Planet Catfish for the Latin name, size and requirements of the "golden nugget" pleco you're interested in getting. I believe it is a dwarf and therefore should be fine for your tank, but it always pays to check.

I wouldn't get any more tetras if I were you - You have three shoals (corys, head-and-tailights and neons) in there already. Too many and it could look like Piccadilly Circus/Time Square in rush hour!

 

[AndrewRenard]

so just those cardinals, head N tail light tetras, and cory cats would be fine? thanks for he help btw, i alreadty ahev the gold nugget its too big and i sold it
isthere any thing else youd suggest?