36 Gallon Bow Front Tank

[Liondtm]

Hey everyone, just finished setting up this 36 gallon bowfront tank I got for Christmas, currently letting it cycle, probably going to add the live plants around Friday/Saturday or early next week. Once the water in the tank is squared away I’m going to start stocking it. I know I want 2-3 angelfish and possibly a red tailed and bala shark but I’m unsure on what else to get. Any advice helps!

 

[Autumnsky]

Hi!

Congrats on getting a beautiful new tank!

If you are new to fish keeping or haven't done it for awhile, check out my signature link for a very good article. It discusses the nitrification cycle and options to cycle the tank - fishless or fish-in with links for the specific methods.

As for the cool looking fish you mention, they are better suited to larger tanks.

I have an Angelfish which is the size of a palm of your hand and its fins are over 10, probably 12" long vertically and ~7" long and my 21 in tall 72G tank is a little short for him.

Bala "sharks" get over a foot long and should be in groups.

Red tail shark should be in a minimum of a 65 to 75G tank. They can and usually are VERY territorial and need a large area to swim and cruise in. My RTS was over 6.5 inches long.

There are other types of fish which would be better suited for a 33" wide 17.5" tall
tank!!!