Stocking Rethink - 120 Litres. Help!

[MBOU]

Personally... I would go for:
 
Box 1: pair or trio of Honey Gouramis (they do fine as either!) a pair would free up more space for shoalers.... a trio would make bigger centrepiece...
 
Box 2: 15-20 (dependant on other stocking levels..) Chili Rasbora
 
Box 3: 6 corydoras (I like pandas, metae, triliniatus and sterbai so I would choose one of those... pygmy cories have totally different personalities).
 
Box 4: (numbers dependant on numbers of other fish..) 6-10 celestial pearl danios OR ember tetra.. actually... I think embers would look better in this set up as they shoal nicely back and forwards and are a little more confident than the cpds who would shoal in and out of the plants with the chili rasbora.....
 
Box 5: I think you would by the end of it... still have the capacity to cope with a small algae eater... but I would say something like a Pitbull Plec (they are harder to get hold of as Brazil have added them to the banned from export list last year... though they are still exported from other countries like Columbia but depends on suppliers...) or a pair or trio of Otocinclus... if you want something interesting... maybe look for a slightly more unusual otocinclus variety?
 
Like Otocinclus cocama They are gorgeous and whilst not regularly stocked... they shouldn't be too difficult to source
http/www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1244&bih=723&q=otocinclus+cocama&oq=otoci&gs_l=img.1.6.0l10.1291.2457.0.6301.5.5.0.0.0.0.95.446.5.5.0...0.0...1ac.1.7.img.GyeYcvMT21I
 
Personally, I wouldn't bother with the L number plecs, just not the sort of tank, they generally want lots of caves, bogwood and plants. Not to mention they are generally boringly nocturnal
 
That said... Snowball Plecs are stunning and only get 10-11cm tops! But they are still a bit...well.... pointless unless you REALLY want one because its nocturnal so you'll hardly see it and it wont touch algae... at least nice otos etc have a use lol.
 
Personally, I would... by the time you are fully stocked... have a second filter, even if just a small internal filter down the other end of the tank as it will increase the filtration and flow for the fish to play in. If it were me... I would get a decent filter with just a sponge in to go on one side of the tank and just fill the Juwel filter with ceramic biomedia, will be a lovely stable tank then

 

[RCA]

[deleted text]
 
Box 5: I think you would by the end of it... still have the capacity to cope with a small algae eater... but I would say something like a Pitbull Plec (they are harder to get hold of as Brazil have added them to the banned from export list last year... though they are still exported from other countries like Columbia but depends on suppliers...) or a pair or trio of Otocinclus... if you want something interesting... maybe look for a slightly more unusual otocinclus variety?
 
Like Otocinclus cocama

They are gorgeous and whilst not regularly stocked... they shouldn't be too difficult to source

http/www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1244&bih=723&q=otocinclus+cocama&oq=otoci&gs_l=img.1.6.0l10.1291.2457.0.6301.5.5.0.0.0.0.95.446.5.5.0...0.0...1ac.1.7.img.GyeYcvMT21I
 
[deleted text]

for the info...
 
Re: the Pitbull Plec I was not aware they were on the banned list, I wonder if anyone has successfully bred them?  I may do some further research as they are a neat looking fish.
 
I like those Otocinclus cocama that you recommend.  I have Otos but the Otocinclus cocama are a little more striking IMO.  Are they about the same price and sensitivity as the average Otos?
 
The Otocinclus cocama has markings along the lines as one of my favourites, L46 - Hypancistrus Zebra, now there is a stunner Maedhros, but somewhat out of my present budget.

 

[MBOU]

I'm not 100% clued up on their requirements but I shouldn't think they are all that different

will find info for you!
 
Planet Catfish - Otocinclus Cocama aka Zebra Oto
http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=353
 
And as for breeding Pitbull Plecs...
http/www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworld/shanesworld.php?article_id=305
 
and their ID page has a little info on how to sex the adults:
http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=236

 

[RCA]

  again...
 
Are you aware your first two links are the same?
 
According to http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=236 it states there are no reported breeders, but this article talks of success in breeding Pitbull Plecs., http/www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworld/shanesworld.php?article_id=305, so hopefully they are still readily available - yet to find out.
 
I wonder what Maedhros will opt for?

 

[Maedhros]

Oh wow, guys, thanks for all the suggestions and info!

it's very much appreciated - sorry for the delayed response, it's been a long, long day at work...

Any of them would work - pick your favourite and enjoy.

People on here can warn of compatability issues and suggest other ideas but ultimately every fishkeeper is different and needs to make their own decisions. You'll regret taking the advice of others over yourself if your bit 100% happy with your final choices (if your anything like me once you've got one to you'll wish you had the other anyway!)

Haha - sound advice! I am being a bit useless with this new tank tbh, I'm obsessed with getting it spot on.

@RCA, ooh, I do like those rasboras! Never seen them before though - are they hard to source? And I was thinking about pandas - I love the markings on sterbais but I suppose they are quite large as cories go. Maybe pandas would look a bit more balanced?

@MBOU - Those otos are cute, but I think I prefer the cories...although that snowball pleco!!

wowzers!!!!

The zebra is gorgeous too - how much do they go for, out of interest?

my LFS had some very lovely dwarf gouramis, which I've heard are happy enough kept singly (though I have heard things about them dying mysteriously).

Ask where your LFS got the dwarf Gouramis from, if they will tell you?  I believe MA is now stocking them from a (German?) breeder, who worked on eradicating the problems with them.  It should tell you more on MA's site in the News section.  If I can find it I will let you know more.

Any luck finding that link? I had a search through the MA site but no joy so far

I think I'm going to go for gourami, either a dwarf or a trio of honeys - I do love bettas but like I said, I want to try something new

 

[RCA]

You're

 

@RCA, ooh, I do like those rasboras! Never seen them before though - are they hard to source?

 
I waited three months for mine!  I kept on hassling my local MA until they got them in for me.  Eventually they bought a tankful in.  Be warned they do not look that bright in a stock tank but mine are absolutely glowing with the brightest dark orange I have seen.  So, if you have a local MA, ask them to get them for you, they are on their list for fish!   If they cannot/won't get them for you see if you can locate them through Tropical Fish Finder.
 

And I was thinking about pandas - I love the markings on sterbais but I suppose they are quite large as cories go. Maybe pandas would look a bit more balanced?

 
Ditto, the sterbais are lovely, but the Pandas are cute little things and may even breed for you, now that would be a nice surprise.
 

The zebra is gorgeous too - how much do they go for, out of interest?

 
£120.00 each
 

Ask where your LFS got the dwarf Gouramis from, if they will tell you?  I believe MA is now stocking them from a (German?) breeder, who worked on eradicating the problems with them.  It should tell you more on MA's site in the News section.  If I can find it I will let you know more.
 
Any luck finding that link? I had a search through the MA site but no joy so far

 
Not looked to be honest, sorry.  Will take a look through my PFK's maybe it was in there?

 

[MBOU]

I cant find a link at all for the Dwarf Gouramis, seems there is a time limit in their news on the website I think.
 
Pretty sure I ought to be ok saying yes, a lot of MA stores buy their DGs from a supplier that is breeding from stock that has been immunised against dwarf gourami diease. Not a German breeder but a  very high end one all the same. Worth asking in the MA you use if they buy their DGs from the supplier that immunises them...  its hard to tell otherwise... but they are good fish, not 100% guaranteed but a darn sight better than not immunised?!
 
That said... one of the few fish i dont really like lol. Honey Gouramis all the way!! I adore the yellow ones! The males have such gorgeous red fins and black chins when they are in breeding mode lol

 

[Maedhros]

You're

 

@RCA, ooh, I do like those rasboras! Never seen them before though - are they hard to source?

 
I waited three months for mine!  I kept on hassling my local MA until they got them in for me.  Eventually they bought a tankful in.  Be warned they do not look that bright in a stock tank but mine are absolutely glowing with the brightest dark orange I have seen.  So, if you have a local MA, ask them to get them for you, they are on their list for fish!

  If they cannot/won't get them for you see if you can locate them through Tropical Fish Finder.
 
>
And I was thinking about pandas - I love the markings on sterbais but I suppose they are quite large as cories go. Maybe pandas would look a bit more balanced?

 
Ditto, the sterbais are lovely, but the Pandas are cute little things and may even breed for you, now that would be a nice surprise.
 

The zebra is gorgeous too - how much do they go for, out of interest?

 
£120.00 each
 

 
 
WHAAAAAT? 

 
They're beautiful, but yeah - way way way over budget!  The OH thinks I'm batty setting up another tank as it is - "you've got your betta, why do you need more?"
 
As for pandas, I found this vid:
 
http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbhXKN7c1I8
 
I think I'm in love 

  I'm pretty taken with the pitbull pleco, too - might I have room for both...? 

 

[Aviici]

What about some Gobies instead of the cories? They can be a good center piece fish.. ish They eat algae and would mean you wouldn't need a pleco either, and they're a lot more active than plecos. Agassiz's Corydoras are pretty cool, as well as Schwartz Corydoras but it's up to you. Also what about a pair of rams as a center piece, they're compatible with most fish and have stunning colour! Guppies breed like crazy, so if you had a betta in there hopefully that'd control the guppy population. Loads of options though, just giving a few more suggestions

 

[Maedhros]

What about some Gobies instead of the cories? They can be a good center piece fish.. ish

They eat algae and would mean you wouldn't need a pleco either, and they're a lot more active than plecos. Agassiz's Corydoras are pretty cool, as well as Schwartz Corydoras but it's up to you. Also what about a pair of rams as a center piece, they're compatible with most fish and have stunning colour! Guppies breed like crazy, so if you had a betta in there hopefully that'd control the guppy population. Loads of options though, just giving a few more suggestions

 
Aren't gobies brackish, though?  Or are there some species that would do OK in freshwater?

Rams, you say...funny you should mention, my LFS had some at the weekend which I was admiring.  I'm actually quite drawn to a dwarf gourami as my centrepiece for this tank, though; I would like to try rams but I'd want to have them in a large community set up, maybe with another kind of peaceful dwarf cichlid - cockatoo apisto, perhaps?
 
(This is in cloud cuckoo land where I live in a much bigger house with space for all the tanks I want, plus the rabbit and a tortoise and a couple of collies.  Yeah, I can dream.)
 
Anyway, back to the project at hand, how does this sound?
 
1 x dwarf gourami
Group of Espei's rasbora, if I can get them; chili rasbora if not!
A few male endlers
Group of panda cory
3 x pitbull pleco (I read they like to be in small groups).
 
What do we think?  Too many?  Just right?  What kind of numbers would I be looking at for the groups?
 
Cheers, guys!

 

[the_lock_man]

Not all gobies are brackish. Well, I say that, Peacock Gobies, which are freshwater, aren't really gobies, they're gudgeons, but for some reason everyone calls them gobies.

 

[RCA]

WHAAAAAT? 

 
I knew that would shock you. Chu-chink, Chu-chink
 
 
The video you posted I think the person taking the video was moving more than the Pandas
Looks like a good list, you ideally need x6 Corys.
Will be interested if you can get hold of Pitbull Plecs.
Glad you are taken with the Espei's, lovely fish.
 
I am sure you know but of course, do not stock all at once
 
Sorry but have not been able to re-locate the article on the Dwarf Gouramis but will keep hunting.

 

[Maedhros]

I only watched the first part of the cory video, and I had the sound off...
 
Those zebra plecos are so cute.  Shame about the price tag had a quick search online to see if I could locate some pitbulls, no luck so far though.  Will keep trying!
 
I'm going away for a week on Good Friday so won't be stocking until after I get back, but don't worry, I wouldn't add everyone at once which species should I add first, do you think?

 

[Aviici]

The gobies I have are freshwater, and they're proper gobies and not gudgeons

I'm gonna be getting rid of my female so you could have her if you were closer! They're just an interesting little oddball. But your list sounds really good, should look nice when it all comes together. The espei's you should probably have 6-8 of them, more if you're having less of the other fish because they are stunning little guys

 

 

[Maedhros]

The gobies I have are freshwater, and they're proper gobies and not gudgeons

I'm gonna be getting rid of my female so you could have her if you were closer! They're just an interesting little oddball. But your list sounds really good, should look nice when it all comes together. The espei's you should probably have 6-8 of them, more if you're having less of the other fish because they are stunning little guys

 

IMAG0127.jpg

 
Excuse my goby ignorance your female is lovely; how come you're rehoming her?