[willertac]

I just ordered some Red-Chested Endlers and I came up with a plan.

The tank I am planning now for is a 20 high with nothing currently in it. It's got a National Geographic internal filter in it now and a functioning heater (hopefully). There's a decent amount of decorations in it, leaving however a wide open viewing area in most of the middle of the tank. The filter is pretty new, so it should work pretty well once we set it up.

According to the breeder I bought the fish from, he will give me enough to start my own colony of Endlers, and when that is done in their 10, I plan to move some of the fry (when they get a little older) to the 20. I had been thinking about Neons for a while for this tank, but just recently started to grow fond of the Harlequins. I might add a snail or ghost shrimp (most readily available) or both as well.

I know they're all peaceful and community fish, but do I have the capacity for all of them is really what I want to know, and how many of each do you suggest I keep in there?

 

[GrimThePanda]

A 20 high sounds nice for these fish. You could probably keep a school of 8-12 fish each, maybe more, depending on what other people answer. I'd like to see too

I'd recommend plants or lots of places to hide. I've read that rasboras can be very shy.

 

[LongTimeAquarist]

As long as you have plenty of room and hiding spaces, and keep up with the maintinence, yeah you should be able to house all three. As for Ghost Shrimp, considering the size of the tank, you'll need more then one because they are opportunistic feeders, meaning they'll eat just about anything, and if one of those fish is dead or dying, unless you catch it in time, it will become shrimp food. Snails, one thing you need to consider is how are you going to keep them in the tank because some well find a way out. Right now the best snail for just about anybody are nerite snails because they are good for algae control, other then that, keep up your research before you come to a decision.

 

[henningc]

You're good to go with all three fish. The tetras and rasboras should be in schools of 8-12, the Endlers don't go over 12. Keep in mind that the tetras and rasboras will likely pick off 90% of the Endler fry. As bad as it sounds it is a great source of live food and the other fish will hunt in a natural fashion.

My only suggestion is you may wish to consider just male Endlers. I sell all males to people all the time and everyone says the colors make the tank really pop.

 

[Sylverclaws]

Three groups of five or more fish in a tall fifteen gallon probably isn't wise. Tetras are especially active fish and like more side space to swim and are best kept in 20 gallon long tanks. Endlers could fit in there, and likely harlequins too, but neons may become nippy with less swimming space.

You could sure give it a shot, watch out for nippers and aggression though. =)

 

[willertac]

We're most likely getting the fish tomorrow. Should I put all of them in at once (besides the Endlers), or stagger how many I put in at a time? So if I was getting 9 of both the Rasbora and Tetra, should I add the Tetras first, then the Rasboras next week, or should I just add them all at once?
What do you guys think?

 

[LongTimeAquarist]

Depends on how big the bags are, but there should be plenty of room for all at once, and once put into the tank, just keep an eye on them to make sure are adjusting to both the tank and each other. While the numbers should be safe enough to where the schools should leave each other alone, you might want to use your best judgment on wither you have enough room for all three types, or just stick with the two you'll get, because sometimes you'll never know unless you try.

 

[Sylverclaws]

No, NO! Don't put them in all at once. You'll shock the tank, and tetras are pretty delicate to the rise in acidity adding new fish causes. You ideally should only be adding 3-4 fish a week.

What you want to do is add one group at a time, per WEEK. The rise in acidity can make them sick or kill them, often does kill neons especially. I made that mistake when I first stocked my 20 gallon. It's not an always, but it's a big risk and that risk would CERTAINLY hit adding 15+ fish to a newly cycled 15 gallon tank at the same time. So don't do that. =)

It's a risk many take, but it's unwise and may cost your fish their lives unless you're extremely lucky.

Keep in mind this is not an older established tank, and even if it was it's still dangerous.

 

[willertac]

I'm following the few fish at a time method. This tank is in a classroom, therefore the fish will have to be relocated by the end of June. I have a 29 gallon in case I am the one who will take them again. I was going to relocate the male Endlers from the batches I breed as to keep their count relatively low. I have currently at least 12 fry of unknown gender, so that will be set up soon. I was thinking of possibly moving my 2 platys and 1 skirt tetra to the 29, and filling in the schools. If I were to make the move with them, would it be possible to still bring home the fish from the other tank? Right now, there is a dominant platy, and the tetra is indifferent, and hasn't given me any problems with aggression. I've had the three for a while, but never had the space for a school of tetras or any more platys. If I add more platys would the aggressiveness lower?
I went all over the place there, sorry...