[gema]

I don't have a tape measure so I'm not 100% on the size but it's roughly 32L x 16w x 12h
And will be fairly heavily planted.

This is not the final stocking list but I'm thinking maybe

10 or 12 neon tetra
8 kuhli Loaches
1 BN pleco
1 or 2 GBR

Any suggestions anyone?

 

[newtchaplin]

I don't have a tape measure so I'm not 100% on the size but it's roughly 32L x 16w x 12h
And will be fairly heavily planted.

This is not the final stocking list but I'm thinking maybe

10 or 12 neon tetra
8 kuhli Loaches
1 BN pleco
1 or 2 GBR

Any suggestions anyone?

seem like a good match, by your measurements you have a 25 gallon tank so you might want to only add 2 kuhli loach they get 4" in length, 12 neons 1", 1 bristlenose pleco 4 1/2", and GBR 2".

 

[jaysee]

I don't have a tape measure so I'm not 100% on the size but it's roughly 32L x 16w x 12h
And will be fairly heavily planted.

This is not the final stocking list but I'm thinking maybe

10 or 12 neon tetra
8 kuhli Loaches
1 BN pleco
1 or 2 GBR

Any suggestions anyone?

Looks like a good list.

It's so nice to see good numbers on your school sizes. Because of the shortness of the tank, I would not add any other schools. If the tank were taller you could get another school of fish in there. But it's not, so you can't

The number of gallons are irrelevant to stocking - the dimensions are what's important. Whether the tank is 20, 30 or 40 gallons, it has a foot print of 32 inches by 16 inches - perfect for a large group of kuhli loaches.

 

[Jeffrey]

I always recommend people stay away from neons. It can be very difficult to find good quality stock. Maybe take a look at embers, rummies, or cardinals? Those should all do well in the slightly higher temps the rams need.

Speaking of which, definitely keep the rams in a pair. You have the space and their behaviors are much more interesting this way.

 

[jaysee]

Yes I do agree, neons aren't the best choice for GBRs. In addition to their spotty quality, they like water on the cooler side and the GBRs do best in 80+. How about cardinals? They're more colorful than neons anyway.

 

[gema]

I already have the neons in another tank and never had any issues, they are great!

I am willing to give up the GBRs for another centerpiece fish. Suggestions? Dwarf gourami?

 

[jaysee]

How about bolivian rams? Or apistos.

 

[Jeffrey]

If you are dead set on neons, I guess you could give up the GBRs. However, the other tank mates you have selected are very GBR compatible. And GBRs are absolutely beautiful fish. Don't know if you have kept them before but the color and behavior is incredible. Highly recommend them.

 

[gema]

I already have the neons. I've had them for about 6 months and they're pretty cool :-D

What about apistogramma trifasciata?

 

[newtchaplin]

I already have the neons in another tank and never had any issues, they are great!

I am willing to give up the GBRs for another centerpiece fish. Suggestions? Dwarf gourami?

dwarf gourami is a good choice. I sorta agree about the neon's but not really. I have gotten a lot of neon's in my time and I have to say they have problems, maybe it is the mass breeding of them and most usually have ick, or stunted growth, or a curved spine, and they seem to get cotton mouth pretty easy. Neon tetras need acidic water to live a happy life, most other fish do not need that kind of water so the neon's usually only life a couple of year opposed to a full life. Sometimes you might get lucky and find some that are healthy. If you are going to keep the neon's you need to stock with fish that need the same environment that they live in. I'll post a pic showing what kind of water neon's need to survive a full life. The type of water that you need for a neon is Tannin water. The pics show what you will want it to look like.

 

[spreadtoothinly]

How about bolivian rams?

I second this, Bolivian rams are easier to care for, and while they don't have the bright colors of the GBR, they are quite attractive.

 

[gema]

I have very soft water in my area 40ppm, so in general I like to choose fish that like soft, acidic water and I have bags of peat in the filter in all 5 of my tanks my neons are so happy that they spawn every couple of weeks, which I hear can be quite difficult. I am also currently in the process of setting up a NPT backwater tank, which will look very similar to the photos.

I always hear about people having problems with neons and I never have, they have had whitespot once because I got some boraras from a shop that doesn't treat their sick fish and just sells them on.. I don't shop there anymore though.

I'm thinking either Bolivian ram or apistogramma trifasciata. Possible dwarf gourami.

dwarf gourami is a good choice. I sorta agree about the neon's but not really. I have gotten a lot of neon's in my time and I have to say they have problems, maybe it is the mass breeding of them and most usually have ick, or stunted growth, or a curved spine, and they seem to get cotton mouth pretty easy. Neon tetras need acidic water to live a happy life, most other fish do not need that kind of water so the neon's usually only life a couple of year opposed to a full life. Sometimes you might get lucky and find some that are healthy. If you are going to keep the neon's you need to stock with fish that need the same environment that they live in. I'll post a pic showing what kind of water neon's need to survive a full life. The type of water that you need for a neon is Tannin water. The pics show what you will want it to look like.

 

[gema]

Ended up with a slightly different shaped tank and now have one that is 60 x 12 x 12. So very long and skinny :-D but thinking of keeping the stocking list simila to before.

 

[gema]

If I were to get rid of the neon tetra, what is a good schooling fish that will go well with kuhli loaches, .BN pleco and Blue Ram?

I much prefer the blue rams to the Bolivian. Also what's the best temperature for rams? I usually keep the main tank at 78f

 

[Jeffrey]

In my experience, Rams will be ok at 78, although that is a bit cool for them. I think your other stock won't mind a few extra degrees, but it will mean a lot to the rams. I would consider raising the temp to about 80.

As for tetras, cardinals are very often paired with blue rams. And since you seem to enjoy your neons these might be a good bet for you. Rummy nose tetras are the other common recommendation. I believe these two are selected because they are the most popular tetras to have similar temperature requirements as the rams. There are other tetras that will do well in warmer water but I don't know them off the top of my head, dig around and you might find something you really like. Personally, I would pick the rummies both because I enjoy their coloration and because they have a reputation for being very tight schoolers.