Stocking Question

harleygirl

I have a 40 gallon half octagon tank that I would like to put tropical fish into. I am thinking that I want to stock it with blood fin tetra, Glowlight Tetra, guppies, Platy, Neon Tetra, and rosobora. I am just not sure that they work together. I want fish that will swim fromt he bottom to the top just not top dwellers. Any suggestions will work and how many of each should I get. I do not plan on getting them all at once but a few each week. I am thinking 3 Platy's and 3 guppies to start with or is that to many? I have been reading and I know I want to get live plants but I do not want something that is overly invasive but something easy. All suggestions would be nice.

cmc29

I keep tetras with my rasbora espei. They move all over the tank. The rasboras that i have move across the top of my 3ft long 45 gallon. I also keep cherry barbs in this tank with amano shrimp and cardinal tetras(however, these are a tad more sensitive than neons). I love the combination of the rasboras and cardinals they tend to stay in seperate schools. I have pictures on my aquarium tab if you want to see some pictures of the setup.

You're absolutely right about stocking slowly. You should make sure to properly cycle your tank. As for plants, i really like my java ferns(they like low light and attach to driftwood). Live plants is the only way i will ever go in a community setup again.

Welcome to the forum

badxgillen

yeah welcome to the forum...sounds familiar...i have bllodfin tetras,guppies,neons, and white clouds, jullii cories, otos,....they all work together but aside from the guppies they all need groups of about 5 or more...plants....hmmm any Anubias species will work for the lower lit parts of the tank...jungle val fro the back ...maybe some hygrophilia,or dwarf sagitaria....cryptocorennes...there are so many plants....and most plants can get out of control if you take good care of them...just do some trimming and return some to your local fish store or trade it for something new....

Byron

Welcome to the forum.

First issue to resolve when selecting fish is preferred water parameters. Not all fish live in the same type of water (here thinking hardness, pH and temperature). While some of what you list prefer basic hard water (the livebearers), the others prefer soft water that is slightly acidic to slightly basic. There is a degree of adaptability, but if your water is extreme either way, that has to be considered.

All of these fish are in our profiles, second tab from the left in the blue bar across the top; you will find information of preferred water parameters, numbers (some are shoaling fish as has been mentioned and must be in a group to be healthy), compatibility, etc. Most also indicate the fish's preferred level in the aquarium so that will help you decide on fish for the bottom, middle, top. Interestingly, many fish do not leave their preferred level except to feed or if frightened. Rasbora for instance tend to swim continually mid-level.

This I hope will help get you started.

Byron.