Finally set up the 29 gallon

[tropfish]

I got the tank from my brother because he didn't want it any more. Luckily the fish were all healthy and the tank was almost spotless except for a few smudges of algea on the decoratinos. The fish that came with it were 7 buenos aires tetras, 1 honey gourami, 1 tiger bard, 2 lemon tetras, 1 glowlight tetra, 1 ram, and 2 cory. everyone in the tank has been hgetting along fine for over 2 years. I hope to add a few more glowlights and lemons a few barbs 1-2 angelfish and a rainbow shark. I also hope to add a java fern or two because it has flourescant lighting. And suggestions as to what to put/ what not to put in? thanks

~Alex

[cocoa_pleco]

add some more live plants. they look really good

[Lady Hobbs]

Please scrap the angel fish for this tank. They require about 10 gallons each. How about some more gourami's? Dwarfs, not the large ones as they get rather mean.

[tropfish]

yea i was having second thoughts about the angels with the barbs and buenos aires then get alittle nibby on long fins. The honey gourami is about four inches long so i'm not sure if it would fight with the other gouramis if i added them. Thanks for the advice btw!

~Alex

[bscman]

I'm not so sure you can get away with as many new fish as you are planning.
IMO, you probably shouldn't get any more fish period.

A 4" gourami and 7 of those large buenos aires tetra's and a pair of cories is about all I would want to do...let alone the other three tetras, the ram, and the barb.
Remember, an overstocked tank is MUCH more work to keep healthy than a reasonably stocked or under-stocked tank. Things can get out of hand quickly in an over-stocked tank, and the fish suffer.

That being said, I've never had good results keeping buenos aires tetra's with smaller tetras like glow-lights. The B/A tetras seem to be bullies.
I'd imagine your glow light, your lemon tetras, and even your barb feel pretty out of place and alone. They do best in big groups--so I can see your predicament. Adding 4 more lemon tetras and 5 more glowlights and 5 more barbs to get the suggested minimum for a school will definitely put you well over the max for your tank size.

IMO, also, your tank is too small for angel fish. They like larger tanks (they get pretty good sized) and definitely like tall tanks.
The rainbow shark would be a bad idea as well. They are pretty territorial, and can easily get 5" in length. They don't like other fish getting near their claimed territory, and WILL defend it. They are best kept it larger tanks with lots of surface area so they will be more likely to leave the rest of the fish alone.

[Lady Hobbs]

Good catch bscman. I totally overlooked the buenos aires tetra's.

[tropfish]

well i did go to the lfs and i didn't see your rainbow shark answers so i bought 1 albino rainbow 1 red tailed shark and 7 tiger barbs and a java fern. My brother never had a problem with the rainbow shark and i oculdn't find any similar rams in the store so ill porbably give the lemons and glowlight to my other brother who also has a tank.