What Fish For My New 242 Litre Tank

[Dutchie]

I'm trying to figure out my tank once it arrives.

I am to move the Clown Loaches from my old tank into the new one and contemplating my Bristlenose Cat as well.

I don't want too many fish as am trying to keep the maintenance to fortnightly if possible.
How do Tiger Barbs, Zebra Loaches, perhaps a few more Loaches and Tetras fair as a community?
All in all around 50 fish tops......and from that only 3 or 4 loaches, perhaps a dozen Neons, etc

Any views please?

I purchased a nice ship wreck in two part with a combined length of around around 45-50 cm and a height of around 20cm which will be in the tank.
The hulls are hollow with plenty of holes and hiding places for the fish. I will also be using the Aqua One CF1000 external canister filter.

Hoping to put live plants in with a bit of driftwood.

The tank is 48 X 14 X 22.

thanks

PS I've purchased a 4 foot cabinet with doors (instead of using the kitchen hutch). I will need to paint it but how long before the fumes will not go into the tank?
In other words, when can I place the tank on it?

 

[Dutchie]

Anyone??

Did'nt think it was too hard a question..........

 

[djloach]

I might consider adding 1 more clown loach since they do better in groups but they can get quite large so I wouldn't go above 3 or 4 in that tank. Zebra loaches are very nice and stay relatively small. A group of 5 would complement the clown loaches nicely. Tiger Barbs would work nicely in that tank but they can be fin nippers so be cautious about what other fish you put with them (no long finned fish like Gouramis). Also, a group of ~6 is good so they will keep some of their agression within the group. Some tetras would work but you could also consider a school of Harlequin Rasboras. 50 fish would be a bit high as you should probably have no more than 60" of fish. 3 clown loaches, 5 zebra loaches, 6 tiger barbs, 12 Harlequin Rasboras and a BN Pleco or two for algae control would be a nice tank.

As for how long to wait after painting, I have no idea but I would probably wait at least a couple of days.

 

[Dutchie]

Thanks djloach..............might have to consider this as I do like the zebras a lot...The Rasboras is a good option I had'nt thought of........

 

[Dutchie]

On that, here are my fish I am looking at getting remembering my current fish in brackets that will be moved into the new tank:

(2 X Clown Loaches)
(1 X Bristlenose Catfish)
(1 X Peppered Catfish)

ADD

1 X Peppered Catfish
2 X Zebra Loaches
4 X Threee-Line Cory
2 X Verniculated Synondonitis
8 X Helequin Rasboras
2 X Pearl Gourami
2 X Zebra Barbs

Works out around 70" of fish......overstocked?? If so, what should I take out?

 

[dwarfgourami]

I would not keep tiger barbs with pearl gouramis under any conditions. Tiger barbs are boisterous, active and can easily turn into fin-nippers, particularly if not kept in very large schools. Pearl gouramis like a peaceful life without too much stress (though they can themselves be territorial)- also they have long appendages that can become a target for fin-nipping.
Also, peppered catfish (corydoras) are schooling fish, so you should really keep at least 3-6.

I would either remove the tiger barbs from this equation (if they are what you mean by zebra barbs) and keep the gouramis and rasboras, or go for the setup suggested by djloach.

 

[Dutchie]

Not sure now as the book calls them Barbus Eugrammus (Zebra Barb)...........

Very peaceful and coexists well in a community of fish with mixed size. Upper and middle level swimmer and thrives in most water conditions.
Size to 10cm......Omnivorous.........

Tiger barbs in this book are different and talkes about them being fin pickers........so they are very different to the Zebra barbs..........

Can anyone confirm this?

 

[Betta5]

Works out around 70" of fish......overstocked?? If so, what should I take out?

I wouldent bother using this rule, its not very reliable

 

[djloach]

(2 X Clown Loaches)
(1 X Bristlenose Catfish)
(1 X Peppered Catfish)

ADD

1 X Peppered Catfish
2 X Zebra Loaches
4 X Threee-Line Cory
2 X Verniculated Synondonitis
8 X Helequin Rasboras
2 X Pearl Gourami
2 X Zebra Barbs

Loaches are generally a shoaling fish and prefer being in larger groups. You might find your loaches hiding a lot if you keep them in ones or twos. That is why I suggested getting more of them. What's the use in having zebra loaches if you never see them? Cories are also better in larger groups so I would suggest you change your 2 zebra loaches and 4 cories to either 6 cories or 6 zebra loaches.

I don't know much about zebra barbs but many barbs in general are fin nippers and most also like being in shoals of 5-6 so I would be a bit cautious about mixing them and your gouramis. I have never seen these in my local fish stores so it probably isn't a very common fish adn you might have trouble finding them.

One thing I can suggest is that many beginners want to get a large variety of species but that isn't always the best option. Often fewer species but more of each (especially the shoaling species) is the better way to go. I know if I had to do my tank again I would have selected fewer species.

 

[Dutchie]

(2 X Clown Loaches)
(1 X Bristlenose Catfish)
(1 X Peppered Catfish)

ADD

1 X Peppered Catfish
2 X Zebra Loaches
4 X Threee-Line Cory
2 X Verniculated Synondonitis
8 X Helequin Rasboras
2 X Pearl Gourami
2 X Zebra Barbs

Loaches are generally a shoaling fish and prefer being in larger groups. You might find your loaches hiding a lot if you keep them in ones or twos. That is why I suggested getting more of them. What's the use in having zebra loaches if you never see them? Cories are also better in larger groups so I would suggest you change your 2 zebra loaches and 4 cories to either 6 cories or 6 zebra loaches.

I don't know much about zebra barbs but many barbs in general are fin nippers and most also like being in shoals of 5-6 so I would be a bit cautious about mixing them and your gouramis. I have never seen these in my local fish stores so it probably isn't a very common fish adn you might have trouble finding them.

One thing I can suggest is that many beginners want to get a large variety of species but that isn't always the best option. Often fewer species but more of each (especially the shoaling species) is the better way to go. I know if I had to do my tank again I would have selected fewer species.

This sounds like wise advice indeed.................even to an old fella.......

I will rework it and see what the misses says..........damn, and we enjoyed going through the books for the whole Sunday afternoon too..........

 

[Miss Wiggle]

if you want to keep maintenance to fortnightly then you should stock roughly 1" per 1.5 gallons then from there keep an eye on your nitrate levels, if they regularly come above 40ppm (assuming your tap water isn't high in nitrate) then you need less fish or more maintenance.

ok my comments on your proposed stocking, firstly it's too much, you need to go for less species and better groups of them

(2 X Clown Loaches)
(1 X Bristlenose Catfish)
(1 X Peppered Catfish)

ADD

1 X Peppered Catfish
2 X Zebra Loaches
4 X Threee-Line Cory
2 X Verniculated Synondonitis
8 X Helequin Rasboras
2 X Pearl Gourami
2 X Zebra Barbs

you should keep clowns in bigger groups really, i'd get another, but bear in mind as they get bigger they will massivley eat into your stocking, however they're very slow growing so you should be able to either reduce the stocking in this tank or get them another bigger one in a few years before it becomes a problem.

i'd stick to just 1 sort of cory and get a group of at least 6. They'll be much happier. As others have said, get less species and better groupings, honestly it'll look loads better and your fish will be happier.

I wouldn't put gourami's and barbs together, as others have said they'll get nippy.

Your also quite bottom heavy, especially bearing in mind the amount of space the clowns will need as they grow, what I'd do from that list is

3 clown loaches
6 cories
8 harlequin rasboras
2 pearl gourami's

I know that might not seen like a lot of fish for that size tank but it's all I'd put in there unless your prepared to step up the maintenance to weekly.

 

[Dutchie]

Thanks Miss Wiggle..........

This looks good actually and dont mind less species..............but would it still be Ok to add the Bristlenose and Peppered in there as well??

cheers

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Thanks Miss Wiggle..........

This looks good actually and dont mind less species..............but would it still be Ok to add the Bristlenose and Peppered in there as well??

cheers

yeah the BN is fine, and for cories i'd stick with peppered as you already have 1, just add to the numbers instead of getting a different species.

sorry didn't make that 1st post v clear, having a somewhat traumatic morning!

 

[Dutchie]

I was told today the tank is only 3 weeks away...............should arrive within the fortnight and then it takes up to a week after that............can you tell I'm excited.........

Now I'm not getting carried away (not much anyway) but we've decided (wife and kids) to not put in any theme lie a Budha statue as its impossible to find any suitable for a tank.
Most have paint on them and are not treated or used specifically for an aquarium.

So what did I do?? I purchase a large Aqua One pirate ship broken in half (approx 60 cm long and 25cm high)......the hulls are hollow and with heaps of openings, will allow for good hiding places........
Got it for a bargain as the LFS was closing down, and less then half price compared to other LFS I've been too..........

 

[Miss Wiggle]

ha ha cool closing down sales..... i'd have been there in a shot with Ian's wallet