New to the forum

[Byron]

dwarf cichlid
honey gourami
corydorus
zebra plec

The list so far… but how many of each (max)

As others have advised, I would not get dwarf gourami. Also, gourami and cichlids should not be combined, they are too much alike. A pair of Apistogramma is fine.

Corydoras need a group, and you have the space so 12-15. I would have 15-20 in a tank with these dimensions. You can mix species, they all get along, at least the "normal" cories do, we are not talking the Scleromystax species here. Get around five minimum of each species, if going with mixed at 15-20.

Are you really considering the Zebra pleco?

Edit: Include the 12 cardinals and 12 rummynose, so everyone sees the entire picture.

And, you still have a void in the top half of the tank...cichlids are lower level fish too.

 

[BigBurgassio]

Have you considered Male endlers ? would they be ok in with those fish and water parameters ?

 

[Lcc86]

Um, excuse me....
View attachment 327032
Look at this fine specimen?!

And what about this one??
View attachment 327033
If only I have soft water

These are gorgeous, I'd definitely be going for something like this in your position! Great centrepiece if that's what you're after.

I like to see stocking on the lower side (don't know why, just personal preference) so I would just get something like this and leave it there. But that's just me! Beauty of fishkeeping is we're all different in our preferences.

Edit - make sure you check temperature requirements of all these potential fish too before making a decision.

 

[Byron]

Have you considered Male endlers ? would they be ok in with those fish and water parameters ?

No, the water is very soft.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Have you considered Male endlers ? would they be ok in with those fish and water parameters ?

Endlers are a hard water fish unfortunately

 

[777james777]

There so many names of fish being mentioned it’s almost impossible for me to keep up.

I keep reading and re-reading but I’m struggling to keep up with what’s what.

Am I correct in thinking the fish that I *can have* in my tank are…

Honey gourami OR dwarf cichilds (but not both)
Corydorus and I’m sure someone mentioned zebra plec…

 

[Byron]

There so many names of fish being mentioned it’s almost impossible for me to keep up.

I keep reading and re-reading but I’m struggling to keep up with what’s what.

Am I correct in thinking the fish that I *can have* in my tank are…

Honey gourami OR dwarf cichilds (but not both)
Corydorus and I’m sure someone mentioned zebra plec…

Yes.

 

[777james777]

And @Byron ….

If you would be so kind please just recap me on each of them breeds how many of each min & max

 

[Byron]

And @Byron ….

If you would be so kind please just recap me on each of them breeds how many of each min & max

Cardinal tetra --you have 12, that's OK.
Rummynose Tetra--you have 12, that's minimum.
Corydoras--a group of 15, same species or mix; if a mix then get 5 of each species if you have 3 species.
Zebra pleco...You need chunks of wood with tunnels or crevices. Mine remained hidden most of the time, except when feeding. Expensive...?
Gourami or cichlid, not both:
Honey Gourami--three, one male and two females. Do not get more than 1 male. A peaceful gourami by comparison, but they are still gourami and males are territorial.
Dwarf cichlid--a pair if you can, I've no idea what may be locally available.

This is still weighted on the lower half of the water column. The gourami are upper level fish, so that might be preferable to the cichlids.

 

[AlexT]

James, if you have enough money for a Zebra Pleco can you pick me up one as well?

 

[777james777]

I think the corydorus are out of the equation. I have 24 fish currently in my tank of 2 breeds.
What I’m looking for is a bit of variation and colour.

Are zebra pleco expensive? Perhaps I have read the wrong thing in the shop.

So that’s currently leaving me with dwarf cichilds or honey gourami.

As you have explained the honey gourami tend to socialise higher up in the tank, so they may be the better pick… (as you say one male and two females)

The only issue I’m left with now is that out of the 200+ tanks at pier aquatics that I counted, we have whittled it down to 2 breeds (of which I can only get one) both breeds I didn’t see there.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

This is a zebra pleco, and yes they are expensive....plus they hide a fair bit

Do you want bottom dwelling fish? I know you didn't want the gravel messed up but just something to think about....a lot of detritus and poo is going to settle and decay on the substrate, which if not removed or disturbed can look unsightly and attract a lot of algae growth. This won't be a problem if you're going to gravel vac when you do your water changes because you'll remove that waste. It's recommended you do gravel vac...I don't personally because my tank is heavily planted and I would disturb roots etc. Keeping bottom dwelling fish is good for the whole system you're creating because they snuffle through and in between plants, sifting through the sand and gravel for tasty treats. While they're doing that they disturb the stuff resting on the substrate enough to lift it up into the water column for the filter to remove. So they help keep things clean.

Please don't feel like you're forced to have fish you don't want, these are all just little tips and bits we've learnt over the years that we're passing on to you as a new hobbyist. As long as you're keeping fish suitable for your water, that they're compatible with each other and that you do regular and strict maintenance (water changes) then everything else is personal preference and yours to explore and experiment. You'll make lots of mistakes along the way, you'll get frustrated and downhearted, you'll be broke in the pocket as well but you'll be totally obsessed and satisfied with the world you're creating and find yourself spending more time in front of that glass box than your wife deems acceptable!

 

[777james777]

Yeah I’m sure the zebra plecos were in a price range similar to the rest. I perhaps got it wrong tho, there was a lot of note taking and it was dark.

So the corydorus, the logic seems right to get them, however if I got 15 of them I would have 39 fish in my tank combined of 3 breeds.

However, you did mention I could get 3 lots of 5 of them.

So I could go for 3 honey gouramis
And 3 sets of 5 corydorus?

 

[Lcc86]

Just googled those zebra plecos and they're about £100!

 

[777james777]

Iv obviously looked at the wrong thing