new tank set-up 20g long planted

GuppyGrabber

nice. i get my tetras after all!

so this is what im thinking so far:



your thought? anything you'd change or add?

Mikaila31

Just a heads up, Scarlet Badis does not readily accept prepared foods. At best it may take frozen foods. They are shy however and I expect feeding to be a challenge in that tank.

Byron

I see nothing wrong in terms of compatibility but I think all this will overload the tank a bit, space-wise, so I would suggest some removals. If you get the cardinals, a large group as you are suggesting is wise. They will grow to 1.5 inches and can live 10 years if healthy--and this always means in soft acidic water.

The Rasbora are fine, they will remain a bit higher up in the tank than the cardinals so that is a good match. I would get 7 though, this species also is better in larger numbers.

I would leave out the Honey Gourami. The Scarlet Badis is a hit and miss, they should be in groups but males can be feisty to each other. Unless you can be certain of getting a pair, I wold not get two in case both are males, one will be the loser in time. A group, say 5-6 would be better.

Corys are fine. I would hold off on the Bristlenose until the tank is established.

Byron.

GuppyGrabber

ok so if i take out the Scarlet Badis' and the gourami what would you suggest as a compatible "centerpiece fish"? i was hoping the gourami would be it...

Byron

I would not have a "centrepiece" fish, but then I never do. My tanks are all tanks of shoaling fish.

Finding a suitable "lone" fish is not easy in relatively small tanks. And with 2 or 3 groups of fish, you are going to fill this space.

Mikaila raised a good point on the Scarlet Badis.

GuppyGrabber

so my final stocking list would be something like this:

Byron

That's nice. I would add another cory though, they do best in groups of 5 when it is just one species. Missed that previously. And ignore whatever what's-it says about this being over 100.

GuppyGrabber

excellent! i think im happy with these inhabitants

so in summary:

ill get a bark sand substrate
get as many plants as possible from the start

with that said, should i add the cory from my 5g from the beginning or is he ok till i get the others?

should i start with the Harlequin Rasbora? 4-5 at a time or all at once?

thanks again for all the help

p.s. @byron- what is the fish in your profile picture?

Byron

What is "bark sand"?

I would put the rasbora in first (after planting) and all 9 together as shoaling fish always adjust better the more there are, then your cory, then new corys together, last all the cardinals but get the pH below 7 as suggested earlier.

My avatar fish is the Spotted Driftwood Cat, Centromochlus perugiae, its in our profiles.

Byron.

GuppyGrabber

haha! sorry, i meant "DARK" sand

k then thats the plan ill go with :)