Help with stocking 50g

**traxiii** · 12-11-2012, 04:56 PM

Looking to add a couple medium size (3" to 5" max) centerpiece fish, something with a little flash or color. I am stocked with small groups of Black Skirt Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, Clown Loaches and a BNP in my 50 gallon planted tank. I really don't want Gouramis, Angels or Discus as I have or had all of them and want something different. Anyone got any ideas? The best I could come up with was a small group 4 or 5 Congo Tetras, as I hear they do better in groups.

**mizzoutank** · 12-11-2012, 05:04 PM

can you post the dimensions of the tank?

as well as the actual stocking #'s?

**traxiii** · 12-11-2012, 05:16 PM

36x15x20 w/Rena XP3
5 BST, 8 CT, 5 CL, 1 BNP
And I know the Clowns will out grow the tank. They will be moved in a few years into a larger tank at that point.

**mizzoutank** · 12-11-2012, 06:38 PM

i'd add 5 more BST

maybe a blue acara? firemouth?

or skip the "showcase" and do 20 BST and like 30neons. lol go crazy with a community set up.

**Goes to 11!** · 12-11-2012, 06:45 PM

+1

Yeah, Do consider going with big schools [They are bigger than a 5" fish

] You have room for another one & It can look outstanding.

**talldutchie** · 12-11-2012, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by traxiii

Looking to add a couple medium size (3" to 5" max) centerpiece fish, something with a little flash or color. I am stocked with small groups of Black Skirt Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, Clown Loaches and a BNP in my 50 gallon planted tank. I really don't want Gouramis, Angels or Discus as I have or had all of them and want something different. Anyone got any ideas? The best I could come up with was a small group 4 or 5 Congo Tetras, as I hear they do better in groups.

Did you know that the clown loach is a schooling species that gets to 10-12 inches adult size? Your tank wouldn't work with discus so good that's not on your list.

Hmm.. dwarf cichlids like apistos?

**ddavis1979** · 12-11-2012, 07:25 PM

I was gonna also recommend some dwarf cichlids....German Blue Rams Can be nice.

I dont know what you consider to be a show case fish, but I also like a single rainbow shark for that tank.

Also a group of 6-8 Denison Barbs or Odessa Barbs.

**steeler1** · 12-11-2012, 07:31 PM

As far as Dwarf Chiclids go there are some realy attractive members in the Laetacara familey that would do well in your tank. Hardy to.

I like the idea of a huge school of neons or better yet cardinals. Rereading your post I see that you already have cardinals so just expand them to 30.

**talldutchie** · 12-11-2012, 08:19 PM

My turn to +1.

**traxiii** · 12-12-2012, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by talldutchie

Did you know that the clown loach is a schooling species that gets to 10-12 inches adult size? Your tank wouldn't work with discus so good that's not on your list.

Hmm.. dwarf cichlids like apistos?

Yes, I know Clown Loaches get big and are a schooling fish, that's why I have 6 of them, and plan on rehoming them, if and when they out grow the tank. I also know all about Discus as I have a 100g Planted Discus tank, and have had Discus for many years.

Thank you all for your great suggestions. I'm leaning towards a mega-community tank, with maybe one other type of tetra or other schooling type fish, and upping the numbers.