Stocking Suggestions For My Future Tank

[Far_King]

IIRC it's somewhere between 1 litre produced for 5-7 wasted.  So don't get one if you're on a water meter lol
 
I have mine currently plumbed into copper pipe to which a hose is attached.  The hose is then connected onto a tap I have in my utility room.  This will most likely change when I move as I intend to plumb it in directly.  Generally there's a pin that pierces the water pipe and enables the connection through a clamp.

 

[NeonSagaris]

Okay, I see, sounds like a good way to go.
 
Just thought of a stock list that I like the sound of:

• 13 Ember Tetras
• 8 Pygmy Cories
• (?) Otos

Does that sound good? Is there room for any more or is that too much for 125-155 liter aquarium?

 

[Far_King]

Embers are lovely and shoal very well.  I have eight in one of my tanks.
 
You ideally need six Otos as they also like their company.  
 
You've gone for some very nice and peaceful fish there which should make a nice display.  You may find your LFS do four for "x" amount deals, so I'd consider either 12 or 16 Embers if that was the case.
 
As for aquarium size, go for the largest water capacity you can.  155 over 125 all day long.  A larger volume of water will dilute any potential problems over a smaller volume and is actually easier to look after.  I think Zante suggested a 200litre if you could stretch to it.  Ember tetras really stand out against green leaves of plants like Amazon swords.
 
As for the Cories, Pygmy will do fine in the smaller tank sizes, if you were going larger I'd consider a shoal of different Corys, perhaps Julii.

 

[Byron]

Okay, I see, sounds like a good way to go.
 
Just thought of a stock list that I like the sound of:

• 13 Ember Tetras
• 8 Pygmy Cories
• (?) Otos

Does that sound good? Is there room for any more or is that too much for 125-155 liter aquarium?

 
You have space for many more fish that these, in a 125 litre (33 gallon) to 155 litre (40 gallon) tank.  I will assume the length will be around 3 feet (90 cm).
 
This list is concentrating on "nano" type fish, which is fine.  But if the tank is at least the size here, you could also move up to slightly larger fish.  If you do go the route of softening the water via RO, you could look at the pencilfish, hatchetfish in the genus Carnegiella (these are smaller, and less active, so better in tanks this size), many of the smallish tetra, corys (asll South American), or some of the SE Asian species like the rasbora, smaller gourami, dwarf species of loach.
 
The "nano" size fish like the Embers and pygmy corys are always better in larger groups as Far_King suggested.  The pygmy corys I find do not fare so well in largish tanks (they seem to get visually "lost" so to speak), and you might want to consider the slightly larger species.
 
Byron.

 

[NeonSagaris]

Okay, thanks for the inputs everyone!
 
Maybe in a 155, I could go up to maybe 18 embers (don't know if that's maybe stretching it a bit?). An alternative is maybe a few less embers and some harlequin rasbora alongside maybe? Probably 6-8 panda cories, 6 otos and maybe a few honey gouramis. I've always liked honeys. How does that sound?

 

[Far_King]

Either would be a good choice.  A nice shoal of Harlequins looks wonderful.
 
Gourami can get a bit territorial so some taller plants and cover would be advisable and try to get a pair.

 

[Zante]

You have chosen fish that won't create trouble with later additions.
I'd go for lower numbers and thenn slowly increase them until you're happy with your tank.
 
It's always a lot easier to add fish than remove them

 

[NeonSagaris]

Would you say maybe about 12 embers and 10 harlequins? I'm not entirely sure about gouramis, so any other good, smaller centerpiece fish that would work?

 

[Byron]

It isn't so important with the peaceful fish like Embers and rasbora, but in general it is always preferable to acquire the entire group for a shoaling species at the same time.  As I say, here it really isn't so important, but with some species hierarchies can be formed quickly, and adding more later can cause issues.  But in all cases, the fish will tend to settle in better with more of them, so for example if you intend 12 Embers, get all 12 together, rather than say six now and six later.  Just an example.
 
Gourami do add issues to an aquarium, similar to adding cichlids.  Plan everything before you add any of these to make sure they will work.
 
"Centrepiece" fish is something that rarely works in an aquarium, and the smaller the tank the less it will work.  The best way to do this is to select a centrepiece shoaling fish, one that is perhaps a bit larger, or colourful, than the smaller shoaling species, but still peaceful.  When thinking of species, remember their needs: water current varies (some species need this, to some degree, others do not, and the two will not be happy together), temperature, and environmental aspects (wood, rock, plants, sand).
 
Byron.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Haha, alright, I see.

 
But would a barb combo like that work then? Plus cories and otos?

 
If you are heart set on 'barbs', then look for pentazona barbs - aka five banded barbs, they are much more docile than tigers (almost to the point of being shy).
 
These would mix with cories and otos much more than nearly any other barbs you'll find.  They are also a bit smaller than the 'gold barbs'.  These fish grow to about 2 inches, whereas the tigers and golds grow to a robust 3 inches.
 
They have slightly elongated bodies, like the golds, unlike the tigers which are more 'blocky'.  
 
 
 
A mix of five banded barbs and espei rasboras (or for a bit more color splash... mosquito rasboras) would be lovely together.