Opinions on Fishy Stock 29G

[Swayde]

While I am waiting on my new tank to be fishy worthy I figured I'd start planning which fishies to adopt.

Here's my plan so far, subject to change of course...

2 Otto Catfish
6 Zebra Danios (or Glofish)
4 Dwarf Gouramis
1 Male Betta

When I added up their average lengths it's right around the 29" mark. I figure that will be okay with live plants in there to help out the filtration. They all seem to prefer the same PH levels (which I haven't tested yet so I may have to throw this whole idea out, but it was a large range 6-8 so hopefully my water is in that range.) They all seem like they'd do well in about 78F water which I should not have any trouble maintaining here in Florida.

So what do ya'll think? Any other suggestions? My tank has the natural looking brown hues of gravel with a slightly reddish brown, basically clay colored rock formation and a dark brown fake driftwood log. I will be adding green plants as well. So with all those neutral colors I would like some brightly colored fishies in there so they stand out nicely.

Since this is my first tank, easy to care for fish are good. I have an 11 year old son as well so striking colors and entertaining fish would be good.

[Chrona]

I would say 3 otos. Also, I prefer smaller fish for the small school effect you are trying for, like cardinal tetras or something, but it's up to you.

[freshwaterfishlover]

I have a 29 Gallon

4 giant dianos
4 Red Swordtails- one male
2 Silver Dollars
2 Peral gouramis
1 Bronze cory catfish
1 Lepard cory catfish.

[cocoa_pleco]

glowlight tetras rule

[Drumachine09]

You could do some GB rams with _________ (fill in the blank) i dont know

[cocoa_pleco]

_____= chronas mom

[Drumachine09]

_____= chronas mom

Timing...Meh. A for effort though.

[Swayde]

I would say 3 otos. Also, I prefer smaller fish for the small school effect you are trying for, like cardinal tetras or something, but it's up to you.


They are gorgeous fish! Recommendations for them said to use them in a well established tank because they are picky about fluctuations in water quality so I am not sure how well they'd be for me. I am trying to pick some more hardy fish so that I hopefully won't kill off many by making ignorant beginner mistakes.

I kinda like the Dwarf Neon Rainbows which it looks like I could use 6 in place of the 4 Dwarf Gouramis.

[cocoa_pleco]

Timing...Meh. A for effort though.

for your information i was on the phone with my girlfriend, then a friggin telemarketer called. I like to act crazy and tick them off.

[Chrona]

Cardinals are very sensitive to pH and total dissolved solids, and only for the first 2 weeks. After that, they can take whatever you can throw at them, minus perhaps the proverbial monkey wrench or kitchen sink. As long as you acclimate them VERY slowly (over 2-3 hours of adding a little water to the bag at a time), they will be fine.

[Swayde]

You could do some GB rams with _________ (fill in the blank) i dont know


Very, very pretty fish! I am not sure if I'd be able to keep them alive and think perhaps a future tank set-up if my first one is a success.

[Swayde]

Cardinals are very sensitive to pH and total dissolved solids, and only for the first 2 weeks. After that, they can take whatever you can throw at them, minus perhaps the proverbial monkey wrench or kitchen sink. As long as you acclimate them VERY slowly (over 2-3 hours of adding a little water to the bag at a time), they will be fine.


I will definitely keep my eye on those. If I can get my water suitable for them. I am worried that I may end up with water too hard for them.

[Chrona]

If the acclimation is slow, then it's fine. I've got VERY hard well water and my cardinals do fine. It took it a while to get some healthy ones, but they are doing well now.

[Swayde]

Another set up that seems appealing for me (mostly because my husband would like a Red Tailed Black Shark)...

2-3 Otto Catfish
1 Red Tailed Black Shark
6 Dwarf Neon Rainbows
6 Zebra Danios