New tank, new fishes???

[ADJAFC]

Hi all, we have just upgraded our 65ltr starter tank to a new and very stylish Rio 180ltr in gloss white. Its currently going through its cycle and to try and help we have moved over one of the filters from my old tank, about 25% of the substrate, the rocks and live plants leaving my poor fishes wondering whats happened.

Anyway, the new tank is settling in nicely, and once the fish are settled, we are keen to stock our new tank, currently we have the following (all adult sizes)

3 x Silver Dollar Tetras
1 x Golden Gourami
1 x Bristle Nosed Catfish
1 x Kauli Loach
2 x Flying Foxes
2 x Clown Loaches

As you can see we have quite a few bottom feeders there and are keen to add some shoaling fish and also some fresh colour. I'm very keen on Cichlids but was always put off as I was told by an 'expert' that they were difficult to keep with other fish. Could someone please set me right as we're really keen on them...

As for shoaling fish, could anyone give any recommendations??? Would be much appreciated!

In keeping with forum tradition, below is our lovely new tank...

 

[LyndaB]

The silver dollars have the capacity to reach dinner plate size. This tank is roughly 48 US gallons. That will make you overstocked with your existing fish.

The clown loaches should be kept in a larger school, 5 minimum and also require a larger tank.

By kauli loach, do you mean kuhli loach? They require a larger school, as well. I have a dozen but would recommend at least 6.

 

[ADJAFC]

Thanks for your reply.

We've had the silver dollars over a year and they seem to have stopped growing but yes we are aware they get big. Bare in mind that the point of the upgrade was to give these fish a larger playground, as for the kuhli loach, we did have two but one died after about 2 years, I don't think we'd buy any more simply because you never see him.

 

[LyndaB]

You don't see the kuhli because they don't feel safe unless they are in a group. Mine are out all the time, always have been.

The silver dollars might already be experiencing stunted growth from being kept in your smaller tank. I'm not sure they can recover from that.

 

[ADJAFC]

Interesting about the kuhli's, maybe we will try a few more as you suggested then, I really love them when they are about as they are so unusual and characterful, strangely since we've moved all the rocks etc over to the new tank, he's obviously been out more (less hiding places), the other fish don't play a blind bit of attention to him.

Our silver dollars are approx 2/3" long which seems about right for their average size, even having a look online, most don't appear much larger. We were warned they can grow to 6" but I haven't seen any that big yet, either researched or in specialist Aquatic shops.

Any advice on the Cichlids?

 

[LyndaB]

Cichlids are best kept in a species only tank, except for dwarfs like the kribensis.

As I said though, I wouldn't put any more fish in this tank due to the adult size that your existing fish could reach.