How would you stock this 30 gallon?

[Joker741]

I have a friend that just got a 30 gallon that is currently cycling. It is 30 1/4" wide, 12 1/2" deep and 18 3/4" tall. He has very little experince with fish and really has no idea what he wants. He has said anything from a single big fish to a schooling tank, to a community tank, but knows he doesn't want real plants. So I am looking for ideas to help him.

Give me your ideas, not what you think he would want, but what you would put in there for a fish only tank if you were given this tank.

 

[joy13]

Well first I would want to plant it, just a habit I have. Then for stocking I would probably go with whiteclouds, and a dwarf gourami with kuli loaches for the bottom. OR couple rams and rummynose tetra with a bristlenose pleco for the bottom. OR some kribs, upside down catfish and African redeye tetra.

 

[mgamer20o0]

i would do something easy like livebarers since they tend to be hardy.

 

[black hills tj]

Keep it simple for now. I'd go with some basic rasboras and/or tetras, as well as some cherry barbs. A more common gourami or an angel would make a nice centerpiece-type fish.

 

[HN1]

Shellies!

 

[bmg07]

dwarf puffers , red cherry shrimp,tetras

 

[ezy33]

Gourami and Cory Cats to start.

 

[kangster]

small school of cories, BN pleco, and small school of tetras...and maybe a little bigger centerpeice fish like a gourami...
and i would make it heavily planted...just because i think aquatic plants are a lot cooler than terrestrial plants...with a few shrimps

 

[Joker741]

Thanks for the ideas. I am basically planning this tank for him and helping him do all the set up.

 

[Joker741]

What do you guys think of this idea, 2 Dwarf Gouramis, 7 Rummy Nose Tetras, 5 Pristella Tetras, 4 Peppered Corys and 2 Nerite Snails. You get some size, some color, a couple schools and a nice community tank.

 

[bmg07]

that sounds like a great decission

 

[joy13]

The only problem I see with the stock list is having 2 gouramis in the same tank, they are very territorial.

 

[meegosh]

Yeah I'd lean against getting two DG's. They are extremely territorial. You'd be fine with one, I absolutely loved my DG. I would also consider bumping the number of cories up if you can. They will be a lot more active with some more buddies.

 

[black hills tj]

What do you guys think of this idea, 2 Dwarf Gouramis, 7 Rummy Nose Tetras, 5 Pristella Tetras, 4 Peppered Corys and 2 Nerite Snails. You get some size, some color, a couple schools and a nice community tank.

In a 30 gallon tank, I don't think you'd have a problem with a full size gourami. Just my .02.

Also, the rummynoses are pretty picky about clean water. Just thought I'd mention it since you said your friend is new to the hobby.

 

[Joker741]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I have 2 DGs in my tank and they do great that is why I suggested them for his.

I will be helping him with taking care of his tank so the water should stay clean.

I will look into other options, thanks again.