Stocking my 55 gallon amazon biotope

[sniperfreak]

Would this list be overstocked for a 55 gallon aquarium? I'm looking at the following:

6 Neon or Cardinal tetras (Cardinals are a little scarce around here...)
2 Bolivian Rams
6 Serpae Tetras
3 Angels
3 otocinclus cats
4 peppered cory's
5 Silver hatchets

 

[Bubble_B0y]

either get 1 angelfish, or 4.
3 angels is not a good number from experience. You can squeeze 4 into your size tank.

Everything else looks good.

 

[sniperfreak]

either get 1 angelfish, or 4 !
3 angels is not a good number from experience. You can squeeze 4 into your tank.

Everything else looks good.

So I could add another angel without overstocking it?

 

[CleverBs]

May i say i think you should have fewer small schools and one larger school, I would choose just 2 schools, Neons, Cardinals, Serpaes do best in schools of 10+, I have 15 Serpae tetras and they are amazing little fish, very interesting to watch and very aggressive feeders (not in a bad way)

I am doing the same type of tank, My tank is an Amazon Biotope Planted thant im in the prosses of setting up, Its in my sig if you want to look at my stock list.

 

[absolutangel04]

Hello, I think 4 angels would be a bit much with everything else. You could get 2 though (IMO). If you get just one, you can fit more other fish in there too.
A couple notes, serpaes have the reputation for being fin nippers, so I would be careful about having them with angels. If you had a few more in the school, the nipping behavior may not show up though. Also, avoid neons since the angels will likely eat them. Some people do have luck keeping the species together if you start with baby angels, but often the angels do eat them once they get big enough. You have a better chance of keeping the cardinals alive with the angels.

 

[bruinsbro1997]

+1 to absolutangel she is right on both serpae and neons. There are plenty of other similar-looking tetras that have a lot more different tempermants that will be compatible with the angels.

 

[ilostnemo]

in my blackwater 55g i have 5 cardnials 9 flame von rio tetras 7 blue flame tetras one gold ram and everything does perfectly fine with small schools

 

[sniperfreak]

okay then, how about red Phantom tetras or Von Rio flame tetras in place of the Serpaes?

 

[absolutangel04]

okay then, how about red Phantom tetras or Von Rio flame tetras in place of the Serpaes?

I do not know anything about the phantom tetras, but the Von Rios would be ok.

 

[sniperfreak]

well, I've just added the first few fish to it yesterday, a small school of 4 Cardinals (they were the only healthy looking Cardinals I could fine), and they seem to be doing fine, albeit a little shy.

 

[sniperfreak]

well, I'm thinking I definitely need to track down a few more cardinals, they seem to be schooling with their reflections.

 

[absolutangel04]

well, I've just added the first few fish to it yesterday, a small school of 4 Cardinals (they were the only healthy looking Cardinals I could fine), and they seem to be doing fine, albeit a little shy.

Awesome. Cardinals are sooooo pretty.
Lol, I bet they would like some friends who are more resoinsive than their reflections.

 

[sniperfreak]

Well, after doing a little window shopping with the wife, we've revised the stocking plan to this:

10 Cardinal Tetras
5 Bleeding heart Tetras
2 Angelfish
3 Oto's
4 Cory's (either peppered or julii's)
4 hatchetfish ( I'd like marbles, but all I can see are silvers...)

Still looking alright?

 

[absolutangel04]

Looks good. I would recommend 6-7 hatchets personally. Also, you have the space for 6-8 corys if you want them. They will be fine in a school of 4 though, but the hatchets would de better with a few more friends.
You will have to put up pictures when you are done, it should be very attractive.

 

[sniperfreak]

okay, here's what I've stocked so far...

3 Otociniclus
5 Cardinal Tetras
5 Bleeding Heart Tetras

Thinking about dropping te angels and putting in a pair of Bolivian rams as a centerpiece, as I actually know where to find those (albeit they're a little pricey...)

 

[absolutangel04]

okay, here's what I've stocked so far...

3 Otociniclus
5 Cardinal Tetras
5 Bleeding Heart Tetras

Thinking about dropping te angels and putting in a pair of Bolivian rams as a centerpiece, as I actually know where to find those (albeit they're a little pricey...)

You really should have at least 6 of each school. I know it doesn't seem like one fish would make a difference, but IME, it REALLY does.
If you want Bolivians, go ahead. I love mine. They are great fun, and they are hardier than gbr.

 

[sniperfreak]

I hope to have ten cardinals and six hatchets,I'll go to six on the cories if I can find a smaller species than peppered's, and most of what I've read on bleeding hearts says that five should be fine for them, I'm just trying to build up the stock slowly to prevent any possible ammonia spikes.

 

[absolutangel04]

I hope to have ten cardinals and six hatchets,I'll go to six on the cories if I can find a smaller species than peppered's, and most of what I've read on bleeding hearts says that five should be fine for them, I'm just trying to build up the stock slowly to prevent any possible ammonia spikes.

Always a good idea. Oh, and if you do get Bolivians, make sure to add them last once the tank is thoroughly established. IMO, they are hardier than their German counter-parts, but they still can be a bit sensitive to nitrates.

 

[GodFan]

You should check out pygmy cories. Absolutely tiny! Plus theyre personality is awesome!
I am a bit confused though... Wouldnt angelfish eat the cardinals? I heard that was their natural prey in the wild. Just curious.

 

[absolutangel04]

You should check out pygmy cories. Absolutely tiny! Plus theyre personality is awesome!
I am a bit confused though... Wouldnt angelfish eat the cardinals? I heard that was their natural prey in the wild. Just curious.

Cardinals get to be about 2 inches, so adults should be able to escape being angel food. Neons are a different story.