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Stocking empty 29gal - need ideas please!

2K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  redchigh 
#1 ·
I'm in the process of having a big change with my 29gal tank. I've found a home for all my current tropical fish and will be giving it a thorough clean and 'redecorating'!

I would like just a few larger fish, of different colours, who are easy enough to care for and will live happily together, or maybe a few of the same species which are not all the same colour. I don't want fish which are going to hide away, just something simple which I can always see swimming about.

I'm even thinking maybe just get a few small fancy goldfish? (I have a friend with an outdoor pond where they can go if/when they get huge).

Any suggestions very welcome! :)
 
#2 ·
if you want to do a tropical tank with tropical fish then you can not have the goldfish. goldfish are cold water fish and need water temp far lower than your typical tropical tank. When i'm staring a tank i like to pick one fish that i know i'm going to put in then work off of that one fish finding other species that would look nice and act well together.


lets say you really want about nine tiger barbs in the tank.

you can rule out bettas and guppies because of their long tails that the barbs will nip

good luck and congrats with your new tank!!!!!
 
#3 ·
Thanks for your reply. I know goldfish are coldwater, I meant I will possibly have only goldfish in a coldwater tank.

OR tropical fish...I don't want guppies as the quality is shocking round here and they immediately die. I have been keeping mainly plecs until now but they are akways hiding and looks like I have an empty tank!

Just want some medium sized, colourful fish...
 
#4 ·
Too bad you are not closer, I could have hooked you up with some drop dead gorgeous Guppies that are very healthy.

As for suggestions for slightly larger fish that are pertty and will get along... You could do maybe 2 Corydora to take up room on the bottom and give it an appearance of activity. For the middle or top, maybe some Tetras? They can be colorful. Rainbow fish are also a nice option.

Someone mentioned Tiger Barbs. If you do get those, then stick with a group of just Tiger Barbs. They do come in Green and a striking Gold/black and red color. They are very lively and fun to watch. A group of 8 or so. Honestly though, in a tank that size I would stick with the Tetra's or Rainbows and the group of Cory for the bottom. Live plants too, of course. :)
 
#5 ·
Thanks for these suggestions! I am not keen on tiger barbs. Wish I did live closer, I have been all over for guppies in the past and they just die! :(

I have tetras already in another tank in my kitchen.

I'm actually leaning towards the fancy goldfish I think!! Just an nice simple tank, a couple of decorations, red gravel and live plants...? How many small fancy goldfish could I keep in this tank do you think? Red cap orandas and the like. Bearing in mind I do have a home for them (friend's pond) if/when they grow larger.
 
#6 ·
Well, they grow fast but I would say 3-4 Fancy ones in there. I too kind of enjoy the Google eyed Goldfish but they are dirty fish. That and I do not have a pond to put them in so I can't have them. :(
 
#7 ·
Great thank you. I have a siphon and thought it should be easier to siphon out their mess as they do big poos!! Better than all the mess the catfish make and it all goes under the stones I have in there at the moment, and the algae wafers make a real mess...
 
#8 ·
There's more issues with goldfish than just removing the visible waste. These fish have a big impact on the bio load and water quality. Which is why they need big tanks. I am not knowledgeable on the various species so i can't say which, but most of our goldfish aquarists here recommend much larger tanks.

For tropicals, knowing your tap water parameters would allow others to recommend fish better.

Byron.
 
#9 ·
I dont know how your guppies are dying so much. I tend to use guppies as my fish cyclers (for starting the nitrogen cycle) I have never seen any loss in my guppies even with extreme ammonia/nitrite/nitrates. my guppies are even in a high salinity solution as of right now. they are still prolific.....

but anywho, i do love the choprae danios. they do hide and are shy but if you have a place for them to swim they are amazing and come out alot. very quick and the colors flash like highlighters across your tank. i had a species tank in a 10 gal with these and they are wonderful.

each fish is different. if they feel comfortable then they wont hide. some fishes hide until they feel like they are comfortable then comeout and rule the tank. depending on what you want most will have to get used to the tank before swimming about.
 
#10 ·
For a 29g tank you can safely only do two goldfish (of the fancies, and this accomidates them at full size). I have always heard the rule of thumb is something like 20g for the first goldfish and like 10g for each one extra, with a minimum always needed being like 29g.

When my 29g gets emptied of tropical fish (years down the road), I plan on doing two fancies myself.

And for the cories being for the bottom, yes, but definately not only 2! They are social and need a bare minimum of 4 cories, 6+ is ideal.

Looking forward to hearing what you plan on doing.
 
#11 ·
I'm not sure... but I would assume that your water is extremely soft and acidic.. Why?
That's the only reason I can think of where tetras would so well while guppies die.

What about a bunch of female Betta Splendens? You could easily fit several in the tank, with some pygmy chain loaches or dwarf cories...
 
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