Suggestions For A Community Tank

[Fishmanic]

I have a 35 gallon hex tank that is 12 inches on each side and 22 inches at its widest point---
 
 
I'm considering stocking it with the following:
 
1 tiger barb (might substitute a blue Gorami instead but I like tiger barbs as they're more active)
2 clown loach--should be good with the tiger barb
1 Geophagus (cichlid) or similar
1 shark
1 Pleco (no larger than 4 inches when grown)
1 Cory catfish
 
does this sound reasonable?  I know some fish may grow too large for the tank but I will deal with it when that happens.   suggestions welcome

 

[Brahmza]

Well, there are a few things you'll have to reconsider.
Tiger barbs are a shoaling fish and do best in groups of 5 or more, otherwise they will nip the fins of your other fish.
Clown loaches are another shoaling fish and do best in groups, AND they get to 12" long, so a much larger tank would be required (125G minimum)
Cory cats are another shoaling fish and need groups of 4+, same with Geophagus.

If you like the tiger barbs, I'd go with 5 of them, cut the loaches off of your list, and get a pair of Geophagus Red Head Tapajos. Get a bigger group of cories, and get one BN pleco, or similar. Just my advice! Best of luck!

 

[Ninjouzata]

As has been said, tiger barbs are shoaling fish, 6+ imo, or even more as they can be pretty nippy so with more they tend to squabble with themselves rather than going after other fish
 
Clown loaches, again, need 6+ and get to 12", actually have heard they can get up to 16", so definitely much too large for your tank.
I don't know anything about cichlids, unfortunately.
 
Shark, as far as I'm aware there aren't any small enough for this size tank.
 
Pleco..perhaps a clown or rubberlip, those stay quite small. I think BN's get over 4" but I havn't had one so I could be mistaken.
 
Corys, need 6+, and should be of the same type.
 
On the "I know some fish may grow too large for the tank but I will deal with it when that happens", what do you mean by this? Are you going to purchase a much larger tank? Re-home them? It's really not a good idea to get fish that would outgrow your tank, if you can't house them for life then it just shouldn't be done, imo. And if you do plan on getting a larger tank, while that is great, sometimes life does get in the way.

 

[Brahmza]

I agree with Ninjouzata. If you're looking to have a nice community in that size of tank, your best bet would be to find some fish that don't get quite as large, unless you plan on getting them a bigger tank. Anyways, the last time I had tiger barbs I had a shoal of 14, and they were so busy chasing each other around the tank they didn't have time to nip at the other fish (and I had 2 Pearl Gouramis with them). If you want a nice, semi-aggressive community, go with a larger group of tiger barbs (8 would be the max I'd suggest for your tank). Then find a smaller cichlid that you like, Geos can get upwards of 10" long, but the red heads I recommend get to be 5" and spend there time sifting through your substrate. Otherwise you could get a pair of bolivian or german rams if you want a new world cichlid. For bottom feeders, get a shoal of cory cats, 4 minimum and/or a smaller species of pleco. If you're looking for more of a 'centerpiece' fish, you could trade out the Geos for a pair of Blue Acara (Max size of 6", might be pushing the size limits of your tank).

Stocking example that would work alright would look like this - -
1 Pair Blue Acara
8 Tiger Barbs
5 Panda Cories
1 Rubbernose Pleco

That kind of stocking might not be as 'flashy' as you'd be searching for, but it would be in the best interest of the fish.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Is your tank a full hex or a flatback hex? I am just wondering. I have a 20g flatback hex that I'm going to be stocking with more delicate, peaceful fish, so I thought I'd share my planned stocking with you.
I may be overstocking it a little, I'm not quite sure, if I am I'll tweak it ofcourse.
2 Peacock Gudgeons (1M:1F)
8 Spotted Blue-Eyes (Pseudomugil Gertrudae)
8 Delicate Blue-Eyes (Pseudomugil Tenellus)
 
The stocking Brahmza suggested sounds quite lovely

 

[Fishmanic]

My hex tank is a full hex--12" per side, 22 inches across.
 
I am refining my planning for stocking the tank:
 
4 tiger barbs
1 cory catfish
1 geophagus--could grow big (up to 10 inch at full size)  but it's not an active swimmer so it should be fine
1 rubber nose pleco
 
maybe one other fish to be named later--suggestions welcome

 

[Ninjouzata]

As has been suggested, the barbs & corys need to be kept in higher numbers. If not you are going to have a cory that just doesn't act very natural and is not very confident.
These fish are in much higher numbers in the wild, up to hundreds and thousands, so we have to do the best we can to replicate it so that they feel comfortable.
 
The barbs I wouldn't be surprised if they started going after the rest of the fish.
 
It's your tank though, and I guess congrats if the fish don't get all torn up, but please don't be surprised if something bad happens.
When/if it does, we'll be here to hopefully help you figure out what to do.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Some things about your original stocking.
 

I have a 35 gallon hex tank that is 12 inches on each side and 22 inches at its widest point---
 
 
I'm considering stocking it with the following:
 
1 tiger barb (might substitute a blue Gorami instead but I like tiger barbs as they're more active) Need schools of at least 6, the more the better. 
2 clown loach--should be good with the tiger barb Get way to big for your tank. They need tanks of at least 100G and schools of at least 6.
1 Geophagus (cichlid) or similar Needs a bigger tank. At least 50G IMO
1 shark What type? Don't think any can go in your tank
1 Pleco (no larger than 4 inches when grown) What type?
1 Cory catfish What type? Needs a school of at least 6.
 
does this sound reasonable?  I know some fish may grow too large for the tank but I will deal with it when that happens.   suggestions welcome

 
I know you have changed your stocking, but you have ignored quite a few points the others have made. Particularly about the Corys and Tiger Barbs.
 
If you do not keep your fish in correct schools, they could die from stress. Many fish stop eating when they're in a too small of a school. 
I think you should seriously consider having more Corys and Tiger Barbs.

 

[Fishmanic]

I may go with 3 regular tiger barb and 2 green tiger barb.   I really would like the Geophagus as I've had it when my tank was inhabited about 10 years ago and though it got about 5-6 inches,  it was comfortable as a single Geophagus---just went about mostly filtering through the gravel.   I also had a single cory catfish in the setup  and he did just fine as a single catfish.   Also had a rather large Pleco which also did well as a single Pleco.  At that time I had a single tiger barb and 2 clown loaches in the same tank.   I'll stay away from the clown loaches this time as they do get pretty big.
 
Thanks for the responses.  They're influencing my final stocking.  Now if I can just get this fishless cycling finished.  I'm waiting for the correct time to do the maintenance dose.   Ammonia is at about 1ppm after the 2nd full dose of ammonia. My nitrites are presently at the highest reading on the API test kit.  Sure hope they start to drop soon.  I'm 19 days into the cycling.

 

[Ninjouzata]

If it's of any consolation, I am on day 61 of my cycle, which I believe it is finally done. I messed a couple things up though is why it took me so long. You'll get there

 

[Fishmanic]

I'm refining my stocking choice for my tall 35 gallon equal sided hex tank.   
 
1 blue gourami
2 angels
2 kenyi african cichlids
1 rubberlip or clown pleco
1 cory catfish
 
how does this sound to you?

 

[Brahmza]

Looks pretty good, I'd still find a way to up your cories to at least 4. Yeah, they'll live alone, but they do best in groups.

 

[Fishmanic]

I think with the fish I've chosen, 3 more corys would overload the tank.  I've had a single one in a past tank and he seemed content.   I think these fish will get along fine and result in a  peaceful aquarium.

 

[ncguppy830]

I think with the fish I've chosen, 3 more corys would overload the tank.  I've had a single one in a past tank and he seemed content.   I think these fish will get along fine and result in a  peaceful aquarium.

As the other members have said cories need 6 plus schools, In the wild there in schools of hundreds.If you wont get at least 5 cories at all, than please dont get any cories then, there at their best in groups.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Sorry if you have mentioned this before, but how tall is the tank?
 
I don't particularly think you should get two Angels, one would be much better suited IMO.
 
I think you would be able to fit in 5 more Corys, especially if you only have the one Angel.