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Stocking my 35 Gallon Tank, (low experience)

27K views 48 replies 7 participants last post by  Byron 
#1 ·
I've been researching fish for the last week, and i've started my fishless cycle in the 35 gallon tank i have, its about 18-20 inches tall maybe 12 wide, it has a bow shape in the front so its probably 13"wide at the widest point, and probably about 18 inches long. This is what I got so far for ideas any input would be greatly appreciated

1 German Blue Ram (or a male betta) As my showpiece fish
3-4 Cory cats, (any input on other bottom dwellers would be nice)
I want some colorful fish for mid level fish, I don't have any ideas here,
And for the top dwelling fish I was thinking 5-6 Hatchet fish, I would like to have butterfly fish, but was reading that they don't do well with more then 1.

That is one Idea I had,
My other Idea would be a Cichlid tank because i think the fish are beautiful, but i don't know how to stock them. Once again, im new to forums and trying to stock a tank, any input would be great.
 
#2 ·

Check out the fish profiles here, for info on these fish. You couldn't keep a German Blue Ram with cories, as they need different temps. German Rams are somewhat limiting (though beautiful) because of their water requirements. I've seen my LFS keep glass catfish with GBR's, and you'd need a school of them, but I'm not sure a 35 gallon is big enough. Also, GBR's need pretty acidic water with low ph, so you have to know your water, or be able to buy/use RO water. Some things to consider. African cichlids get big, so you'd have to find the dwarf variety, but they do well in a higher ph.

Gwen
 
#5 ·

Check out the fish profiles here, for info on these fish. You couldn't keep a German Blue Ram with cories, as they need different temps. German Rams are somewhat limiting (though beautiful) because of their water requirements. I've seen my LFS keep glass catfish with GBR's, and you'd need a school of them, but I'm not sure a 35 gallon is big enough. Also, GBR's need pretty acidic water with low ph, so you have to know your water, or be able to buy/use RO water. Some things to consider. African cichlids get big, so you'd have to find the dwarf variety, but they do well in a higher ph.

Gwen
You should check with your LFS before assuming their Rams need extremely soft acidic water. I was asking a lot of questions before buying mine and found that both stores I go to source their rams locally. Only Rams bred in very soft water and wild rams need the very soft acidic water.


As far as stocking suggestions there is a ton that can be done with a 35 gallon. There are a number of SA dwarf cichlids tat you can choose from (GBR's, Apistograma, Kribs) Any of the small tetras or barbs would work as a small group of 6 -10. Cories will work as a bottom fish with most peaceful community fish. I suggest you pick one fish or group of fish that you want to have in the tank and choose the other inhabitants to go with that fish.

You also mentioned Cichlids. I am assuming you were thinking of the colorful Mbuna you see in fish stores. A 55 gallon tank is really the minimum if you would like to keep those. You could keep some of the smaller Tanganyikan cichlids maybe a group of shell dwellers and a pair of julidochromis.
 
#8 ·
It really depends on which dwarf cichlid you want to keep. GBRs and Apistos need pretty high temps so they only really work with tetras that can also handle those temps, like cardinals. Kribensis can tolerate a wide range of temps and water parameters, meaning they can be kept with small barbs, larger tetras and larger corys. I have never kept gourami, but i know they vary greatly in size. Dwarf Gourami can be kept with other peaceful fish such as tetras and corys. Be careful though because some gourami (including kissing gourami) get to be 12+ inches.
 
#10 ·
First thing, welcome to Tropical Fish Keeping forum. Nice to have you with us.

I won't repeat the good advice others have given. My suggestion in this case would be to draw up a chart with columns. In the left, list the various species you are considering. Next column, list temperature range, also pH and hardness either here or in separate columns. Next column, the level in the aquarium (substrate, surface, mid-water) which will help you select fish that will fill the aquarium nicely. Next column, numbers of that species (some fish are shoaling and must be in groups, some may be best singly or in pairs). Next column, mature size (helps to make sure you don't overstock). Last column, any special needs/issues; fish that need a stronger current, some don't like any current, behaviour issues, etc. All this data for each species is included in our fish profiles that someone referred you to. And of course, we are all here to answer questions.



Byron.
 
#19 ·
You mentioned the Blue Rams would eat the tetras, is the Bolivian ram the same? If so, is there another schooling fish you could recommend that would go with them? You also said to wait on the Oto's because there are other fish to take there place, any recommendation on those also? And what would i need as a substrate to grow live plants? I have gravel in my tank with an below gravel bubbler in it, and i could also use some "Live Plant" Recommendations. I heard there are floating Moss balls that are easy to take care of, but i don't know any plants that actually have to be planted. How hard would it be to make my substrate sufficient for live plants?
 
#20 ·

It was the blue Gourami, that Byron mentioned ate a couple tetras. I have a Bolivian Ram with neon tetras, and he has not shown any aggression toward anyone. I also have a female Blue Gourami, and she hasn't either, for what that is worth.

If gravel has waste in it, plants can do fine, but you want to keep your gravel as small as possible. Plant fertilizers help also.

Gwen
 
#21 ·
Agree. Also, you will want to remove the bubbler; airstones, bubble devices and too much filtration (water movement) all drive off CO2 before plants can use it.

Have a look through the plants in our profiles section to get some ideas. The main issue is the light.

The series "A Basic Approach to the Natural Planted Aquarium" should provide you with a good overview, these are stickied at the head of the Aquarium Plants section.
 
#23 ·
Also, my final stocking list is as follows, please point out problems if you see them, i've taken everyones advice into consideration

2 Bolivian Rams-hopefully 1 male, 1 female
6 Marbled Hatchet fish
3 Ottos (Couldn't find any other bottom swimmers)
6-8 Cherry Barbs.
Java Fern
Java Moss
Anubias
 
#24 ·
Also you posted if my gravel has waste in it plants can be put in, but you never actually said if Live plants where necessary. I know the silver hatchet's need floating plants so the java moss would work because its basically a floating ball of moss. But do the other fish NEED live plants.
 
#25 ·

No fish "needs" plants, but they do prefer them, and it's a personal choice. A planted tank visually looks nicer to many.

You stocking list looks okay, but I've been warned against keeping a male/female pair of Bolivian Rams, so I'll be curious how that works for you.

I'd wait on the Otos until your tank is more mature and you have algae, unless you'll supplement them with algae wafers (which my Bolivian Ram likes) :-D

Gwen
 
#27 ·

I've had no luck with keep a male/female Gourami - the male harrassed the female endlessly, and I moved the female to another tank. This is not uncommon. Finding a bonded pair may be difficult. The dwarf gourami's may be less aggressive. See if someone weighs in on that.

German Rams are considered more difficult fish to keep. Even though someone else said they will do fine putting them in water they were "raised in", you need to know what that was. I don't see GBR's spawning in anything but soft-acidic water with low PH, so I'm assuming a breeder would be raising them in that water. If you put them in hard-alkaline water, you probably won't have them live long, and they will likely not show their beautiful colors. Just my opinion.

Pearl Gourami's may be a possibility, but they get large. 35 gallon may not be big enough at some point. You could upgrade your tank at some point too.

Gwen
 
#30 ·
Well, i have 2 weeks until my cycle is over and my tank is ready for stocking. I really want to have a "centerpeice" fish, or pair. and im just having trouble coming up with the right combination between finding Top Dwelling fish, middle dwelling fish, and bottom dwellers.
 
#31 ·
What about
1 Male Cockatoo dwarf Cichlid
2-3 female Cockatoo dwarf cichlid
6-8 Silver Hatchets or marbled Hatchet fish
8-10 Cherry barbs

With the cockatoo's i was reading they shouldn't have fish below them, but the hatchets above would calm them down and make them feel more comfortable. Or I could Swap them out for kribensis. Let me know if this is a better set up.
 
#32 ·
What about
1 Male Cockatoo dwarf Cichlid
2-3 female Cockatoo dwarf cichlid
6-8 Silver Hatchets or marbled Hatchet fish
8-10 Cherry barbs

With the cockatoo's i was reading they shouldn't have fish below them, but the hatchets above would calm them down and make them feel more comfortable. Or I could Swap them out for kribensis. Let me know if this is a better set up.
The Cockatoo in that grouping would be fine, and in my view better than kribs. Hatchets (8-9 if marble) and cherrys good too.

Where did you read not to have substrate fish with Cockatoo's? Peaceful catfish are fine, unless you want to spawn them and raise the fry. Catfish are nocturnal or semi-nocturnal, and will usually find the eggs or fry of cichlids at night. But aside from this, no real issues. Dwarf cichlids are substrate feeding, so they may push catfish out of the way when eating, but this is not usually problematic.
 
#33 ·
AHA thank you so much, I finally found a grouping that I like and works!!!!! You've made me a happy guy today. Also, I havnt' learned this site like the back of my hand but i think i sent you a message asking about 2 other stocking ideas. But honestly thank you so much.
 
#35 ·
AHA thank you so much, I finally found a grouping that I like and works!!!!! You've made me a happy guy today. Also, I havnt' learned this site like the back of my hand but i think i sent you a message asking about 2 other stocking ideas. But honestly thank you so much.
Here is your profile message to me:

Byron, you've gave me some pretty good advice in stocking my 35 gallon, so what do you think about this. 1 Bolivian Ram, 6 Marbled or Silver Hatchets, 6-8 Lambchop Rasboras, and maybe 2 Barbucca Diabolica.

Or 6-8 Hatchet fish, 1 male KIrbensis, 3 female kirbensis and 2 barbucca diabolica. Will either of these work out?
Barbucca diabolica is a rare fish, and what a beauty. I had to track it down on the loach site. I've no personal experience with this species, never having found them locally, but they do seem to need some water flow and this is contrary to the other fish. It would depend how you set up the aquascape. With a canister or internal filter at one end some flow could be generated for the loaches and it would be quieter for the other fish down the tank. Loaches are highly social fish, needing a small group, so I would get 6 or preferably more of these if you do decide on this species.

Lambchop rasbora are nice fish, though my favourite of this group of 3 very similar looking species is the copper or Hengels Rasbora. These really sparkle under floating plants. Whichever species, larger groups are best, 8+.

Kribs can be an issue in community tanks when spawning. As I mentioned previously, the Cockatoo would be better in my view.
 
#34 ·
1 Male Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
2-3 female Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
6-8 Silver Hatchets or marbled Hatchet fish
8-10 Cherry barb

Hopefully this will be the final tweaking for the set up if you agree.

1 Male Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
2-3 Female Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
6 silver hatchets (8 if i can get marble hatchets)
6 Cherry barbs (reducing from 8)
3 panda Cory cats.
 
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