Stocking Idea...is it a bad one?

[mle]

I have finally gotten my 29g set up, partially planted, and mostly decorated (just need to get tubing for the air pump). It is currently cycling and I thought this would be a good time to run some stocking ideas by you guys as there is a good chance this will be changed at least once before I am really ready for my fish. Here is the tank:

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I know there are quite a few decorations. I plan on stocking it as though it were a 20g because of this and because I want to add more plants. I must have Guppies (4 females, 1 male?) as I already have one I need to save from my 2.5g disaster. I have had a Dojo before, but because I have limited space in this tank I am thinking about maybe 3 Kuhliis instead (OK # for this tank/setup?). I also really like the look of the Diamond or White/Black Skirt Tetras, but have found mixed reviews of their compatibility with Guppies. If I could keep these with the Guppies how many of each type of fish would be advisable?

[dancethenparty]

guppies fine. you don't need four females though. unless thats how many you want. be prepared for babies.
i don't really know about kuhlies. but from what i've researched that would be a fine number.
all i know about tetras, specially skirt tetras. is from this site. and i haven't really heard good things about them. but i'll think i'll let somebody else answer that.

[cer]

If you want the loaches 6 at minimum. If they do not have that they constantly hide.

[Wild Turkey]

the white skirt variety is a dyed fish

[mle]

If you want the loaches 6 at minimum. If they do not have that they constantly hide.
Do you think I will have enough ground room for that many loaches to live comfortably?

As for the White Skirst, I thought the were they were the albino variety of the Black Skirt and was under the impression that only (mostly) the colored ones are dyed. I did not think the pure white ones were messed with like that. If that's the case. I'm not interested.

[troy]

6 kuhli loaches will do fine in your tank. With 4 female guppies your looking at IME 80+ fry being born every month.

[Wild Turkey]

Do you think I will have enough ground room for that many loaches to live comfortably?

As for the White Skirst, I thought the were they were the albino variety of the Black Skirt and was under the impression that only (mostly) the colored ones are dyed. I did not think the pure white ones were messed with like that. If that's the case. I'm not interested.

I think there are other tetra species that look similar but most of the time whats sold as "white skirts" are black skirts that have been dyed white

[Sharon]

I don't think White Skirts are dyed. They use the albinos to get the pastel fish that look so odd...


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[Demi ^_^]

I suggest a shoal of Diamonds (beeeaaaa-u-tifffuuullll!) and a school of Kuhlis - would make a great tank!

[Red]

Yeah the "white skirts" are simply albino..

[mle]

It appears that for me to keep these two types of fish together happily I would need a larger tank. So what about 6 loaches (Kuhli or a smaller variety) and 3 Dwarf Gouramis (1 male, 2 females)? Also, the pH tends to stay right around 7.6, would these guys be OK with that?

[Gemini]

Welcome! I like the volcano in your tank!
PH - stability is the most important thing. SO if it's 7.6 fine - just don't try and change it. Thats when people usually get in trouble.
With Dwarf Gouramis - only the male is a nice colour, teh females are a bland grey. And females are often hard to find. Also a few people on here have had random deaths with dwarfs. And two males may well fight - they can be territorial. Though floating plants may help.
What about rasboras? Or sword tails? Or cardinals? I"m trying to think of other top/middle colourful fish and I'm drawing a total blank.
6 loaches sounds good. Though I will admit I prefer cories to loaches. I would have 6 julli or sterbai corys - but that's just me!
Don't get big loaches though!

[cer]

You could get away with 6 kuhlis in that size tank.

[annageckos]

White/black skirt tetras can be nippy. If you do find female dwarf gourmies(sp) the male may get aggressive towards them and the other fish while he is guarding the eggs/fry. Though one male is very nice, I always have one in my tanks. There are tons of tetras to choose from. Neons, Von Rio(flame), gold, bleeding heart, white tip, black neons and lots more. Also check out smaller barbs like cherry barbs and rasboras. There are also some smaller types of rainbow fish that are very pretty like Forktail Rainbows(Pseudomugil Furcatus).

Good luck,
Anna

[mle]

Thanks for all the advice guys! Much needed! The LFS has just gotten some Chain Loaches in that should be out of quarantine just in time,:18: so I'm thinking that's who I'll probably start with. I am a bit concerned about my substrate I have as I hear they like sand and my tank has gravel and small pebbles. Think this might make them sad? I do have lots of places for the to hide, including several live plants (more coming!). Anything else I should know about these little guys? How many should I start with (I imagine 6 is too many to throw in at once)?