Stocking question for a 3ft, 130 Litre tank (28.6 gl).

[Emeraldtarpon]

Hi TFFers,
i have a 3ft, 130L tank (28.6 g) stocked with the following fishsorry, im using metrics-Australia).
6 x Scissortail Rasboras (length from 50mm up to 70-75mm).
15 x Neon Tetras (length on average 30mm).
11 x Ember or Fire Tetras...(these guys are only very small, 20mm possibly).
Am i at the limit, over-stocked or able to add some more small fish?
Water parameters are excellent (Ammonia-0, Nitrite-0, Nitrate-0, kH-2, pH-7.3 and remain stable constantly.
Ive got a Fluval 107 canister that is keeping the water crystal clear. 130L is the filter's stated max' tank size but it does a superb job even though its on the max' limit.
Thank you for your help

 

[Wills]

Sounds like a nice tank! Post some pics if you get chance.

If you are reading 0 nitrates that’s a great sign your tank is healthy and I think adding something else is possible - do you have anything in mind?

 

[Emeraldtarpon]

Sounds like a nice tank! Post some pics if you get chance.

If you are reading 0 nitrates that’s a great sign your tank is healthy and I think adding something else is possible - do you have anything in mind?

Hi Wills, thank you for your reply.
Its a low tech set up and everything is running beautifully...probably the most balanced system ive achieved so far.
The funny thing is, its a pretty simple, straright forward set up but all the running gear and media is of very good quality so it really does make a big difference.
The left side of the tank is pretty much there, the single piece of driftwood on the right will be stood up so it's taller and im going to attach 2-3 Anubias nana petite to it.
Id like to get some Dragon rock to accent a couple of areas too.
All in all, i want to keep it simple but still visually pleasing...TANK PHOTO BELOW FISH PICS.

With fish choice, is was considering the
Emerald white cloud minnows

or the Galaxy rasbora.


Here's my tank at the moment...more work to be done but you get the idea (Fishes colour came out a bit weird,they're very vibrant in real life.

That grotesque heater has got to go too...bloody eye sore LOL.

 

[Wills]

That looks good! You’re doing great with the plants - have you thought about adding some tall stem plants or valis to the back? Even if it’s just one corner the taller structure will help fish feel more secure or you could add floating plants for a bit more cover.

An other nano schooling fish like you mentioned could be nice but what about a bottom dweller? A small loach species or some Cory cats would fit in nicely with the other fish you have and add a level of activity to the tank? Dwarf Chain Loaches could be a nice option?

 

[Byron]

First question is to identify the "ember fire tetra." This usually refers to the species Aphyocharax rathbuni, and if it is this fish, it is feisty and a fin nipper. Tankmates must be carefully selected.

Galaxy rasbora/danio, being Danio margaritatus, is not suited here; it needs a group of 20 and is best alone, or with substrate fish maybe.

A couple more scissortail rasboras would make the ones you have more relaxed, aim for 9-10.

Cories require soft sand, can't tell what is here. Loaches are best with the same, though less of an issue as they do not need to filter feed.

 

[Emeraldtarpon]

First question is to identify the "ember fire tetra." This usually refers to the species Aphyocharax rathbuni, and if it is this fish, it is feisty and a fin nipper. Tankmates must be carefully selected.

Galaxy rasbora/danio, being Danio margaritatus, is not suited here; it needs a group of 20 and is best alone, or with substrate fish maybe.

A couple more scissortail rasboras would make the ones you have more relaxed, aim for 9-10.

Cories require soft sand, can't tell what is here. Loaches are best with the same, though less of an issue as they do not need to filter feed.

Hi Byron,
appreciate the info,thank you.
They are Ember Tetras. Very social with the Neons AND the scissortails and also amongst themselves too.Ive never witnessed any fin nipping or any behaviour that even comes close to resembling those traits.
A couple of Neons like to spar occassionally (amongst themselves) but its all show and no damage occurs.
The scissortails are just the epitamy of docile...extremely tolerant fish that dont mind the Neons and Embers buzzing around and through them constantly.
I stocked my tank based on past experience with these three species and i couldnt ask for a more social, laid back group of fish.
Thank you for the info on the Galaxy Rasbora, that ones been crossed off the list.
Upping the scissortail numbers is a great idea actually. I had 10 together once and they seemed more relaxed and adventurous than this lot. These ones are more skittish when you walk up to the tank etc...but soon come back to the front and see whats going on.
I could do 10 cartwheels in front of the tank (well,not nowadays lol) and the Neons and Embers would just sit there and watch without flinching lol.
The substrate is made up of very small pieces but its quite coarse so probably unsuitable for a lot of bottom dwellers (although i love the Royal Whiptail catfish, but.....).
Im liking the scissortail idea more and more.

 

[Emeraldtarpon]

Actually, does anyone know if it would be possible to place some taller plants in my tank without effecting the flow too much?
Not too many, just enough to create a small area for the fish to sit in thats higher than the surrounding Anubias plants.
Cheers.

 

[Emeraldtarpon]

I picked up 2 more scissortails today (small guys) and will get 2 more next week.
They did a lap of the tank close to the bottom, saw the other scissortails and shot up there to join them (mid to top dwellers).
These 2 new ones are actually getting the others to go exploring a lot more...its really cool.

If youre going to get scissortail rasboras, make sure they are quite young if poss'...they seem to be far less skittish and far more adventurous.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Actually, does anyone know if it would be possible to place some taller plants in my tank without effecting the flow too much?
Not too many, just enough to create a small area for the fish to sit in thats higher than the surrounding Anubias plants.
Cheers.

You could plant some Vallis, it looks like tall grass. It's a flimsy leaf so it won't block the flow, you could let it grow its full length and let it float on the surface of the water or you can keep it trimmed to your desired length. Easy plant

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

I think it would look quite nice against the black

 

[Emeraldtarpon]

I think it would look quite nice against the black View attachment 317967

Thank you for the suggestion CB...it really would look nice against the black.
I have my lighting lower than yours, would that be a problem?
By the way, nice photo too, plants look lovely.

 

[Byron]

They are Ember Tetras. Very social with the Neons AND the scissortails and also amongst themselves too.Ive never witnessed any fin nipping or any behaviour that even comes close to resembling those traits.

Ember Tetras are a different species from what I referenced earlier...which is why it is always best to use the scientific name so we all know which fish we are talking about. Ember Tetra are Hyphessobrycon amandae, a nano tetra and in a group of 10+ will not be problematic.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Thank you for the suggestion CB...it really would look nice against the black.
I have my lighting lower than yours, would that be a problem?
By the way, nice photo too, plants look lovely.

Unfortunately my tank doesn't look like that anymore .....but yes, it should be OK in low light, I think it just grows at a slower rate...so less trimming!

 

[sharkweek178]

I think I would add a few scissortails to get them up to 10-12 and then leave it at that.

 

[Emeraldtarpon]

Ember Tetras are a different species from what I referenced earlier...which is why it is always best to use the scientific name so we all know which fish we are talking about. Ember Tetra are Hyphessobrycon amandae, a nano tetra and in a group of 10+ will not be problematic.

Hi Byron,
I totally agree with using the scientific name
My LFS has all the tanks labelled with the fishes common names...both would be nice.
In all honesty, for all i know the shop may well have mis-labelled the Embers and , if thats the case, ive been fortunate enough to get a group of 12 that are well behaved lol.
I like to care for house plants too and its exactally the same in that the scientific name is the only way to identify species etc correctly.
Appreciate the reply, thank you.