finally stocking

[lef22]

almost 3 months waiting for the tank to cycle have passed. now i'm finally ready to add the rest of the fish!
i've already got 3 clown loaches ad to highfin plecos(planning to move to bigger tank once and if they get too big) and was hoping for some stocking suggestions.
i was thinking of getting 2-4 angelfish, a small school of neons and perhaps a variety of mollies. are they compatible?

[iZinedane]

Thats great!
what size is it?
Upload pics when you're done!
and keep us updated thumbs2:

[Crispy]

Want to know the size... you should probably have at least one or two more clown loaches to add to that school.

[lef22]

thanks guys
well the tank is about 200l(55g?) and planted. i just went to the pet shop today and a guy there said that the neons are too small and won't make it. so i came home with eight tetras the shopkeeper recomended!
i don't recall their exact name but the shopkeeper called them tiger smth..
they are about 3-4 cm long withe a silvery body and black and red fins.i wish i could have bought some bleeding hearts but they are a bit too expensive..

as for the mollies can anyone think of some alternatives? i wasn't impressed by the ones at the petshop.
i'm looking for a small-medium sized fish with vibrant colour and compatible with tetras angels plecos and clown loaches(lol)

[Northernguy]

Yes you will need a bigger tank.These fish do get big!
They also require very clean water with high filtration.
Here is more info.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

As for tank mates not sure.I think rainbows would go well.
I would also try and get a few more clowns.

[lef22]

don't know about more clowns... 4 anfelfish 6 clowns and a bunch of tetras might be too much once they are fully grown
the rainbow fish is an excellent choice though i'd like something as vibrant as an african cichlid
do you think some xherry shrimp would make it?

[Crispy]

Sounds like you got tiger barbs... better do some reading up on them before you add anymore fish... they can be a bit "nippy".

[lef22]

no way... i know what tiger barbs are and all about them fin nipping
i've avoided them from the beginningplus these tetras arn't yellow with black stripes.they are bluish silver with black-red fins

[jaysee]

How about sunburst platys? They are brightly colored, active fish and the angels will love the fry they'll produce.

You might be able to maintain a small colony of cherry shrimp IF you have LOTS of cover, but you'd never see them. Shrimp in general won't last too long.

[lef22]

oh no..! you were right! they are green tiger barbs! unbelievable, i just didn't recognise them without the stripes...
what should i do! i've been planing to get the angels for so long and now i realise i got 8 tigerbarbs, fin nipping kings!!!! are angelfish a no no?
i also have high fin plecos, will that be a problem?

[Inspiire]

Sometimes if you have a big enough group of TBs and enough room, they will leave others alone. Just depends on the group, I guess.

Sometimes Angels get along with each other, and sometimes they kill each other. If you want an Angelfish, just do one, and have a backup plan incase the TBs decide to strike.

Best of luck to you.

[wolf_eyes]

Just take the tiger barbs back to the store and tell them that you don't want them because they're nippy. If you want angels get the young and at least 4 so they can pair up. Once they get bigger and yo have a pair make sure to take the rest back or else they're get beat up on.

[Lab_Rat]

I would take the tiger barbs back to the store, no reason to risk the angels fins. Have you thought about cherry barbs? They're very colorful and active and make a nice addition to the tank.

[lef22]

disaster averted.., i returned the tiger barbs and will soon go back and get some other fish...so i'm thinking of a schooling fish and might be getting the buenos aires tetra...what do you think?also are the platys compatible with these fish or should i look for something else?

[mac]

As for the buenos aires tetras I would not go with these with Tetras. They tend to be quite nippy. And if you have plants they are great at shredding them to.

Now let's get this strait. You have 3-4 Angel Fish. 6 Clown Loaches in a 55g. IMO that is over stocked, once they get to at least 5 inches each.
IMO I would get smaller type of Loach.

As for other fish to go with your Angels, you might want to look a Bleeding Heart Tetras. They are great with Angels.

mac

[lef22]

still if i got the buenos aires, what other fish would i be able to go with? are the platies ar the rainbowfish still an option? or have you got some other suggestions?

[robflanker]

Now let's get this strait. You have 3-4 Angel Fish. 6 Clown Loaches in a 55g. IMO that is over stocked, once they get to at least 5 inches each.
IMO I would get smaller type of Loach.


Lef22 - did you read this part?

I am in complete agreement with Mac - you cannot have 6 clown loaches and 4 angelfish in a 55g.
Stop sweating the tetras, and worry about this problem. The tetras are the least of your concern at the moment.

[gm72]

I agree. Some of this thread has us talking around the problem. The problem being that the stocking with the angels and clown loaches is just not a good idea because of the adult size of these wonderful fish. Go with a smaller type of loach and you will be in far better shape.

[lef22]

yes i understand your concern but i only have 3 clowns not six and no angels yet. i don't want any more clowns for exactly that reason, because they get too big. Anyway i've had the clowns for a few months now so i can't take them back and i wouldn't if i could since i've become attached to them.
finally when and if the fish get too big for the tank or when the tank gets overcrowded, i'll be more than happy to rehabilitate the fish. i love animals and i adore my fish, i wouldn't become cruel just to have a pretty thing sitting in my living room. i'm just trying to get a nice result here.

[robflanker]

You need to find a better home for your clown loaches. I believe they are best in groups of 5 or 6, and need a much bigger tank than you have.

Even if you keep 3 you will be keeping them in too small a tank, as well as an inappropriate number. Its not a case "if and when" the get too big, they will - 100%.

If you are trying to get a ncie result, you'll rehome your clown loaches ASAP as it will hold up the stocking of your tank in general, as well keeping them in less than ideal conditions

[lef22]

...i'll see what i can do, right now though i can't make them a new home when i havn't eveb finished their first one.

[robflanker]

If you can't another tank, then try finding them a new home outside yours.

[lef22]

yes sure...now that you've thrown me into the pit of remorse i couldn't do that! i've only got one option. have to do a species tank. oh well clowns look great so why give space to other fish
how many clowns would you say can live a happy life in a 50 gl tank?

[robflanker]

None.... they need to be in groups of 5 or 6 I think, and the min tank size long-term for them is 125g+ I believe

[lef22]

you can't be serious! where do they even sell such tanks!?
it doesn't make sense if it needs such a big space how can these fish be available in every fish store i've been to?

[robflanker]

Those tanks are readily available in the US. I cannot speak for Europe.

Unfortunately LFS sell whatever fish they can to make $$$$ - that doesnt mean its appropriate to sell them but it happens anyways. They sold me 4 goldfish for a 10g tank - which is terrible.
They'd sell you whatever fish you are willing to buy regardless the size tank you have.

Unless you plan on getting a massively bigger tank, i would seriously recommend trying to find a home for your clown loaches. Just out of interest, how big are they already?

[lef22]

they are no bigger then 7 cm. these past few monts they've only gained 1-2 cm. anyway i don't know...might be able to get that massive tank you're talking about in a year or so but no sooner...and there is nowhere i can think of giving the loaches

[wolf_eyes]

hmm. this is an interesting debate. While i completely see both sides, there is one thing we're kinda forgetting here. Yes they do grow huge and eventually will need a 125, but clown loaches grow fast until they hit about 4-6 inches and then they start to slow down. While they do slow down in growth at this stage they will start to grow in width and height and start to look something like this :
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
Now I have thought about raising them until the 5(12.7cm) inch stage in a 55g and then selling them when they hit this point.. However keeping them in a 55 past the 5 inch stage isn't the best idea. I would say a far better choice would be a 75G until they reach about 8-10(20-25cm) inches or just buying the 125 they will need as an adult.

And yes robflaker has it right. Stores will throw anything in a tank and try to sell it to you. In america, one of the largest pet chains sells pacus and irridescent sharks, both of which grow over three feet long. And they will never tell you the size of these tank busters when they get bigger either. It's the sad truth of it all

[mac]

By the looks of things we have a pickle here. IMO since you cant take the fish back. And the tank is far to small to increase the school size, IMo I would think about getting a large right of, and start transferring them.

Now I know this sounds like a lot to do. But if you look at it this way.

Your tank is going to be like a city which is full to the brink. Like trying to fit 1 million people into the space of 2 miles Square. It just can't be done with out things going wrong.

And in your case the Clown Loaches will be stunted. Living in cramped environment, in inappropriate size school. If you did get more, the tank would then have even more problems.

The only way to get the problems sorted would be to at least get a tank of around 125-150g. As for finding them that is the easy part. Ask your LFS. If they don't know then IMO something is wrong with them. Another option would be to get a Glazier to make one.

I know you will have two tanks running for a while. But if you can't do two it would only be for a short time, till you get the 125 cycled. Then you can deal with the 55g.

Think seriously about this. Because the fish are relying on you to give them the best environment you can.

And when getting new fish, always study up about them. Saves a lot of stress.

mac

[lef22]

well it's not as if i'm complaining that i'll have to buy a 150 gl. but it will have to wait a year or so unless i can find a really cheap one.
anyway i'll try my best. thanks for your opininons, i'll take them into consideration and do my best.

[Needi]

craigslist is ur friend, dont forget it

[wolf_eyes]

craigslist is ur friend, dont forget it

OP lives in greece... so Uh craiglist isn't her friend haha.

[mac]

It is very easy to find cheap tanks. And a very cheap way [well in NZ] is to get the tank made up at a Glazier.

Keep your eyes open, and look on line, news paper ect ect, and you shall find a nice size tank.thumbs2:

mac

[jaysee]

OP lives in greece... so Uh craiglist isn't her friend haha.

Craigslist is global

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[wolf_eyes]

Craigslist is global

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

LOl my apologies then^^

[lef22]

sorry for taking so long to answer.. thanks for the respomce everyone.
as for the glazier i'll give it a shot.
thanks againthumbs2:

[mac]

No probs.

Hope all comes right for you.

mac