Stocking advice

[hsherman1986]

Ok, so i am noticing that since restocking my 55 gallon tank, I just do not have very much going on in the middle/top strata of the tank.

Stocking List
4 clown loaches
2 dojo loaches
1 rubber lip pleco
4 emerald cories
2 platies
2 angels
1 silver hatchet (i know they are schooling fish, but a water change killed the rest of the school, and I don't want to replace them)
1 GBR

The platies, cories, silver hatchet, and gbr are full grown. Nothing else is full grown yet. Angels are at 2-3" not including fins, dojo's are at 6", and the largest clown loach is at about 5-6"

Any ideas of what else I could add to this tank that would get along with everyone else, but add some activity to the middle/top of the tank? I know I want to add one more clown loach while they are still relatively small (I will be getting a larger tank for them as soon as they need it, but right now they are fine), but other than that, I am stumped as to what else will fit.

 

[toddnbecka]

How about a group of rainbow fish, or larger tetras? Angels will eat small tetras when they get larger. I'd also recommend getting 4 more angels, and returning the extras when a pair forms. Otherwise, you will probably end up with 1 after they mature.

 

[WaterPond]

yes, i would recommend a pair, they are agressive otherwise. Skip the clown loaches too enless you plan to upgrade to a 125gal tank. Dojos are a good choice.

 

[hsherman1986]

the angels actually have already paired off.

and I do plan on upgrading to a 150 as soon as they need it

thanks for the good advice though guys, I really do appreciate it.

Any other ideas, keep em coming.

toddnbecka, what kind of tetras would you suggest? I have had lemons, and serpaes before, and am not really interested in keeping them again. What other large tetras are there?

 

[JDogg]

rummy nose tetras do fine with angels, they are not "big" but they are bigger then the angel's mouth, i also like the look of flame tetra

 

[hsherman1986]

i like the flame tetra better. the rummy nose are cute, but they look too much like minnows for me. I have never seen the flame tetras in the stores locally (i live in dallas texas), though there are a few shops close by that I don't go to as often.

keep the suggestions coming guys, I love it!

 

[toddnbecka]

Congo tetra's would be good. Personally, I'm not fond of most barbs in a tank w/angels, but a group of rosy barbs shouldn't be too much trouble.

 

[hsherman1986]

yea, I hadn't heard many good things about that combination. I have my tiger barb tank, I am happy with that lol.

I saw a pic of those earlier, they are kinda cute.

So basically, I could basically do any tetras, except neons and cardinals (so they don't end up as snacks eventually)

 

[hsherman1986]

ooh, I had a thought. Could I do a school of 5 harley rasboras, and a school of 5 scissortail rasboras? Harleys look like they are big enough to not get eaten by the angel later on, as do the scissortails. I have had harleys before, and love them.

Is this a viable option?

 

[toddnbecka]

Sounds like a fine mix to me.