55 gallon stocking question

[MrKitty27]

I have a 30h x 18w x 28l and I am looking for something that will fill the top and middle of tank. On the bottom j will have 10 Cory and 10 black kuhli loach. I wanted also know if adding ghost shrimp would make the bottom to crowded. I am planning on making a diy background with a few caves built into it and adding about 6 cichlid stones plus plants. I don't know exactly what ones yet. Only fish that is in for sure is hifin spotted pleco. Thanks for advice.

[sheamurai]

Any chance you can trade that tank in for a standard 55gal tank?

I know a 55gal is sometimes listed as the minimum tank size for these, but that is based on the standards 48" length. 28" is quite a bit shorter - for a foot+ long fish, that's not a lot of swim room.

Unless you plan on upgrading/rehoming, those dimensions are not ideal for a hifin pleco.
Check out their adult size and you'll see what I mean. In a few years it will be 12" long, and it will keep growing.

As for the rest of the tank - take a tour of your fish store and see what's there you like (leaving your wallet at home, lol) then come back and research your favourite fish and stock from there. Your options will sort themselves out just by you picking your must-have fish, which you can use to sort fish by their compatibility with what you picked...

[ldoerr]

I agree about the pleco thing. I also think that you have too many fish for the bottom. I would just stick with 10 corries OR 10 black kuhli loaches.

[Cory Catfish]

Hmmm, Kuhli's don't take to kindly to other bottom feeders.

Hifin spotted pleco? Is that just a common pleco? Those get too big. If you want a pleco, get a BN.