Planning My Stocking

[Mellis67]

Hello all I am planning my stock list for my tank. I have a 38 gallon tank that is heavily planted and 3 good sized pieces of bogwood and a rock formation. I currently only have some lemon tetras in my tank (8 to be exact). I would like to find a nice showcase fish but let me know if my eyes are too big for my tank.. This would be what I would be shooting for if my tank can handle it.. and I can't upgrade my tank at this time...

8 Lemon Tetras---already in tank
Rainbow Cichlids if I can find them (as many as I could comfortable fit to let them pair up)
2 Angelfish
Some sort of bottom feeder...but I'm not crazy about them but I suppose I should have at least one

I know this would probably max out my tank but if I could fit hatchetfish or some sort of top zone fish I would like it.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated..

Thank you..

The New Guy

 

[hamfist]

Hello all I am planning my stock list for my tank. I have a 38 gallon tank that is heavily planted and 3 good sized pieces of bogwood and a rock formation. I currently only have some lemon tetras in my tank (8 to be exact). I would like to find a nice showcase fish but let me know if my eyes are too big for my tank.. This would be what I would be shooting for if my tank can handle it.. and I can't upgrade my tank at this time...

8 Lemon Tetras---already in tank
Rainbow Cichlids if I can find them (as many as I could comfortable fit to let them pair up)
2 Angelfish
Some sort of bottom feeder...but I'm not crazy about them but I suppose I should have at least one

I know this would probably max out my tank but if I could fit hatchetfish or some sort of top zone fish I would like it.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated..

Thank you..

The New Guy

With the angels, I would only advise getting a couple of rainbow cichlids. Even so, that might work out, or it might not. You'd then be potentially looking at two breeding pairs of mid-sized cichlids in a 38G tank.

Don't need any bottom feeder fish. The rainbows and angels will scour the bottom for any uneaten food. Any extra bottom feeders will add to the tank's bioload, especially as you are not really keen on getting any.

Personally, I would go for either 1 x angel and a small group of rainbows, say 4 (removing the extra once a pair has formed),

or

1 x rainbow and a pair of angels.

Whatever you get, it would be very advisable to put them all in the tank at the same time.

If you stuck to just the 3 cichlids, long term, you could probably squeeze in a few hatchets, or maybe some red eyed tetras (which are another good smallish upper layers fish).

 

[Mellis67]

Good I was hoping I could get away without a bottom feeder. My LFS is a really good spot for fish and they have a local breeder they buy from regularly. I was told I could get several of each and let them pair up... They will "buy" back any I need to move out after that happens. Do you think I could get away with adding say 4 or each while them are still so young say a nickel to quarter size for the angels and about 1-1/2" for the rainbow cichlids? I'd rather let them make their own pairs if I could and then I can just keep the pair that looks the most compatible.. I'm always worried that certain fish angels and rainbow cichlids would be lonely if they are the only ones of there kind even if they share there space with a member of the same sex. I would like to have a pair of each but I see your point. Two sets of cichlids breeding in my sized tank could be a big problem territory and aggression wise. If not I'll have to decide if I want angels or rainbow cichlids it probably will depend on whats available. I really want to brighten up my tank. Its heavily planted so its vert green with bogwood and the lemon tetras are cool but not very flashy. Actually they blend in rather well. I need to get some color in there so that will be the determining factor.

 

[hamfist]

Do you think I could get away with adding say 4 or each while them are still so young say a nickel to quarter size for the angels and about 1-1/2" for the rainbow cichlids? I'd rather let them make their own pairs if I could and then I can just keep the pair that looks the most compatible..

That would be just fine.

I'm always worried that certain fish angels and rainbow cichlids would be lonely if they are the only ones of there kind even if they share there space with a member of the same sex.

Most cichlids are extremely happy as a singleton of their species. In fact, in the rather artificial environment of a fish tank, it can often be by far the most peaceful way to keep them.

 

[Mellis67]

Do you think I could get away with adding say 4 or each while them are still so young say a nickel to quarter size for the angels and about 1-1/2" for the rainbow cichlids? I'd rather let them make their own pairs if I could and then I can just keep the pair that looks the most compatible..

That would be just fine.

I'm always worried that certain fish angels and rainbow cichlids would be lonely if they are the only ones of there kind even if they share there space with a member of the same sex.

Most cichlids are extremely happy as a singleton of their species. In fact, in the rather artificial environment of a fish tank, it can often be by far the most peaceful way to keep them.

Well that makes it alot easier now doesn't it.... I guess I could do something like this in that case: (again let let me know if I am off base):

8 Lemon Tetras
2 Angelfish
1 Rainbow Cichlid
1 Festivum
1 Bolivian Ram
6 Hatchetfish

 

[bricko]

Hi,
I would be cautious of a Festivum with smaller fish as they can begin to boss a tank when larger. Mine is around 7inch now in 100g tank and will occassionally lunge at the rainbows and denisoni barbs in there ( theye all 5inch ish each). I think smaller fish could potentially become a food source though he seams to leave the smaller cories alone. Mine also assasinated my assasin snail! Chewed him around and spat him out for the botia strata and bristlenoses to finish!

Peronally I think larger cichlids need more space especially if you are going to keep several species. In a 38 gal I would opt for some of the dwarf species. Keyholes or curviceps are a nice addition to any tank (got them in mine) and are not as shy as people say especially if you have small shoaling fish in your tank. Also bolivian rams will llok lovely once settled in.

Depends what you are after really, if you want to breed then 2 x pair of dwarfs max in a tank that size. If you just want a good mix then you could have 1 of each, say 1 keyhole, 1 curvicep, 1 bolivian ram and maybe a sigle angel specimen to fill out the tank. you would need to make some hiding spots with wood, rocks and or plants to give each fish some personal territory but it should work out fine.

Always have a plan B though just in case!

Cheers,

Bricko

 

[GShorty1981]

Lose the Rainbow Cichlid and i think your good to go in the above stocking.

Be aware that Rams are very hard to keep in community settings, if you can get a Bolivian Ram instead go for that.

I have been keeping fish since around 1999/2000 and never had any luck with Rams.

 

[hamfist]

.... I guess I could do something like this in that case: (again let let me know if I am off base):

8 Lemon Tetras
2 Angelfish
1 Rainbow Cichlid
1 Festivum
1 Bolivian Ram
6 Hatchetfish

Getting close.

If you are commited to the pair of angels then I'd lose one of either the bolivian ram, rainbow cichlid or the festivum (probably best to lose the festivum due to potential size) then you'd be good to go.

OR ....... get a bigger tank !

 

[Mellis67]

I'm not so committed to the angels but my wife is..... enough said... I will lose the festivum from my stocking list... Then I will have a tank with only 1 breeding pair of cichlids... That is if my angels are of the opposite sex and compatible. and Yes all of the cichlids will be added at the same time and only after the rest of the tank has been a well established community.

 

[hamfist]

I'm not so committed to the angels but my wife is..... enough said... I will lose the festivum from my stocking list... Then I will have a tank with only 1 breeding pair of cichlids... That is if my angels are of the opposite sex and compatible. and Yes all of the cichlids will be added at the same time and only after the rest of the tank has been a well established community.

SOunds great !