Ready to choose my fish

[daza]

So then! ..now that my cycling is under way I am beginning to choose my fish and would like your help (I know some will say that I should have chosen fish first).

I’m looking for some general advice and opinions on my choices, and to check that I don’t overstock.

I want a peaceful community setup, with nice colours and activity.

My water parameters are:

pH = 8
GH >16
KH = 15

The tank is as shown in my sig. Measures 61(long)x31(wide)x40(high)cm (24x12x16 inches), excluding hood. I plan on adding a couple of floating plants plus some plants that do not require lots of light (tank has 15watt, as standard) such as java moss/fern. I have a piece of driftwood, a couple of small plant pots and plan on adding some rocks.

I was thinking of adding:

6 zebra danios
2 variable platies
6 cardinal tetras (or similar)
2 otos

I was planning on adding the danios or platies first, since they are most hardy. How long should I leave it (once cycled) before adding the tetras and otos?

Danios should give activity with fast swimming (from what I have read about them) and occupy the top of the tank. Tetras should occupy the middle/bottom of the tank, obviously the otos on the bottom and the platies a bit of every level. I would try to get all same sex to avoid breeding.

It might be an option to replace the zebra danios with a larger group of two different colour platies, and then they should be happier than in a pair.

I’d really like a male betta, but I don’t think they will be suitable with my current choices.

Does this seem like an okay stock? Too much? Room for more?

Thanks in advance,
(Sorry about the long post)

 

[TorPeteO]

Sounds pretty weel-stocked to me. Too much more would be kind of crowded, so you're in good shape.

You sound like you know what you're talking about, but I'll just say that you should space out the additions so you don't overwhelm the bacteria or the fish in case you haven't heard that yet.

One thing is that Corys are fun to watch. I have them in my tank, and they're great. Still, your otos should be fun, too, and I'm planning on getting some of those for my next tank. Make sure you add your otos near the end, so the tank's cycled (they're pretty fragile) and so there's food for them. The more algae, the better.

 

[daza]

You sound like you know what you're talking about...

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

This is my first tank since I was a kid and cycling and correctly stocking is new to me, but I have been reading (and learning) a lot on this forum and the internet in general.

I shall go with those fish or something similar then. I planned on seperating them out. I may consider a Cory if I can't find otos in my lfs (not been in stock so far).

thanks.

 

[The-Wolf]

It's nice to see that some people so take the time to research before going and buying fish.

Your plan seems very good to me The only thing I will sat is the Zebra Danios will use all of the tank not just the top and add the Ottos last as they are the most delicate and need a well established enviroment.

Good luck and keep us posted