Suggestions for 30g long tank - want to keep it very understocked.

[MammaBearinTN]

I'm starting a 30g long, and want to keep it very understocked for ease of cleaning purposes. I suspect that the next year in my life will be very busy, so I don't want to overload myself. What would you recommend? I want a really beautiful centerpiece fish, but many of the fish I like would do better in a shoal or school. Any suggestions? (Yes, I do have a few years of fishkeeping experience.)
Thanks.

 

[lnsaneM]

I would keep lots of plants in it with a sandy substrate. If you are looking for understocked, then you should get 2 angelfish with 1 vampire shrimp and about 5 nerite snails to keep the algae under control. Any one of those fish or shrimp could easily be a center piece to any aquarium

 

[Byron]

It would help to know the water parameters (of the tap water on its own). As for numbers, generally speaking a shoaling species needs a group and ten-plus is minimum for most species (some need considerably more) if the space permits. Having less is not advisable because the fish will always be better adjusted, less stressed, less aggressive and thus healthier with sufficient numbers. And that means less effort for you.

Having fewer fish in a tank does not usually mean less work. There is still the weekly partial water change. Live plants certainly help. Angelfish were mentioned...if you do not want problems this is one fish to absolutely avoid. Two angelfish rarely get along unless they are a bonded pair, and if they are, you will have dozens of fry.

 

[lnsaneM]

It would help to know the water parameters (of the tap water on its own). As for numbers, generally speaking a shoaling species needs a group and ten-plus is minimum for most species (some need considerably more) if the space permits. Having less is not advisable because the fish will always be better adjusted, less stressed, less aggressive and thus healthier with sufficient numbers. And that means less effort for you.

Having fewer fish in a tank does not usually mean less work. There is still the weekly partial water change. Live plants certainly help. Angelfish were mentioned...if you do not want problems this is one fish to absolutely avoid. Two angelfish rarely get along unless they are a bonded pair, and if they are, you will have dozens of fry.

What I meant by having angel fish is having a bonded pair, but then the price is considerably high for a bonded pair. Maybe I'm not the one to give advise here, but I do know that vampire shrimps will get along with pretty much anything

 

[GaryE]

It may take some looking, depending on where you are, but:
Fundulopanchax gardneri;
Aphyosemion biteniatum;
or
Aphyosemion striatum.
Killies. They don't need heated tanks, reproduce, but slowly, have vivid colours and do best as one species in the tank. They tolerate a little neglect, and those three species will generally eat high protein bug based flakes.

 

[Fishmanic]

my 29 gallon tank is stocked with 4 tiger barbs, 4 black skirt tetras, 2 BN pleco and one peppered cories....I only do 50% water changes every two weeks...tank seems very stable. I have a large driftwood piece in the tank and lots of mature anubias.
Tiger Barbs are very interesting to watch as they are fast swimmers. Perhaps do a species specific tank with mainly tiger barbs and some cories.