Please Help A Newbie With Stocking A 125 Litre Tank!

[gourami4eva]

Hi folks,

I'm new to this forum but have read plenty of stuff on here and other places before joining.

I have just purchased a new 125 litre tank and am currently cycling it for the next few weeks but I am finding it sooooo hard to work out what to stock it with. I have done tons of research but am going round in circles and just getting more and more confused by it all.

I know you all have lots of experience and knowledge and it would be amazing if you could post your thoughts and advice as I really want to nail this down.

I would have loved a marine tank but time and other issues meant that I have decided to stick with a Tropical tank, also I have kept tropical fish before so am used to the maintenance required.

I guess though that with this tank as opposed to other tanks I have kept I really want to fill it with colourful and interesting fish aside from the usual guppies, mollies, tetras etc which I've already got in another tank.

With this in mind I really would love to know your stocking suggestions.

I am staying away from cichlids for this size a tank and my filtration isn't quite up to it. I do very much like Rainbow fish, Honey Gouramis and other Gouramis as they seem to be as colourful as you can get but not sure if they are suitable. I am thinking of these along with other fish at different levels like cherry barbs, zebra loaches etc.

If you can help with your stocking ideas I would be so grateful and then I can get this tank aquascaped for its new tenants. I would like to have some feature fish in there so answers on a postcard, or just post below really

Tank - 80cm x 35cm x 45(h)cm
Fluval U3 filter
Hard water with a ph of around 7.8

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Why not the dwarf cichlids such as rams, apistogrammas, laetacaras? Or perhaps a pair of peacock gudgeons or empire gudgeons? For centerpiece fish that is Or since you like gourami a pair or trio of those would look nice.
 
For schooling fish maybe the smaller rainbows like spotted blue eyes (pseudugil gertrudae) or threadfins?
 
Zebra loaches get too large for this size tank but maybe dwarf chain loaches? Depending on the other fish you get.
For example you may not want the dwarf cichlids or peacock gudgeons as they tend to stay towards the bottom and some loaches can be bullies. Kuhli loaches are very peaceful though and quite cute!
 
Cories are another popular bottom dweller.

 

[gourami4eva]

Fantastic,thanks for those. Some of those I hadn't seen before. I like the look of a lot of those fish. I guess it depends on what's actually available near me.

If i were to get a couple of those mentioned or a trio of gourami how many of the dwarf rainbowfish could i get?

Also would I be able to add another top/middle level fish to that or would i be stocked by then assuming i also get some bottom feeders?

Edit: how about 5 honey gourami, 8 dwarf neon rainbow fish, 4 dwarf chain loach?
I gather rainbow fish aren't very colourful until they get older, is there an alternative that anyone can suggest

 

[Wills]

Your stocking in the edit sounds good Though I would do 6 of the Dwarf Chain Loaches they are slow growing and in a group it is rare that all 6 will reach adult size due to the way they suppress growth hormones as a sign of subordination (strange but true!) 
 
Some of the larger rainbows dont get their colour until they are adult but Dwarf Neons are an exception they look fantastic even in the shops, you will find that they will intensify within 24 hours in your tank as well
 
Wills

 

[gourami4eva]

That sounds great, thanks Wills. Going to look at some fish today, not to buy, but now I have it narrowed down I know what I'm looking for.

 

[gourami4eva]

Hi,

I just wanted some advice re stocking.

As per my list above I was thinking about having 5 honey gourami but wondered if there was an alternative gourami I could have instead of honeys? The same size would be great or if I had say three could I have slightly bigger Gourami?

Thanks