stocking ideas for a 33

[e-cat]

well my g/f wants too make the 33gallon a tank for her and my daughter and she wants too make it a peaceful tank for a change of what i have been keeping latley, where thinking of a male and female rams some corys and some hatchet fish any other ideas as too what to put into this tank?

[Allivymar]

Ooo rams. Lovely choice. Do keep in mind they prefer softer, acidic water (around 5-6 Ph).

As for other choices, consider small pencilfish or any of the other small tetras (not sure about neons tho...), some small barbs, or even small danios. They'll all do well in the lower Ph/softer water. Even an angelfish might go nicely, tho I would prob limit it to one since you are doing the corys and hatchets as well as the rams.

[e-cat]

i know about teh acidic water thast why we chose corys and hatchets, thanx any ways, i think i want too stay away from barbs as i only really like tigers and tinfoil and the tigers wouldnt go well in that type of set up and the tinfoils get too big, and i dont care much for danios, we will probably go with some type to tetra, 6-10 emperor tetras, keep the ideas comming people.

[madasafish]

How about rummynose tetras. They have the charm and temperament of the tetra and the appeal of an interestingly colored fish.

Also, how about a tank of rainbowfish? They are very very cool. A tank of boesemanis and praecox would be very satisfying... Also, the long-fin rainbowfish have appeal, too. The Threadfin and Celebes rainbows are quite beautiful! These fish are all about the right size for a 33 G.

Hatchets are cool, but reportedly difficult to care for (sensitive). If you're going to get some, go for the marble hatchets not the silver hatchets.

If you feel like splurging (I can't afford it), get a tank of discus (of course, you'd have to expand eventually, as they get large). They go for about $25-$30 when young, and much more when older.

And harlequin rasboras are lots of fun to have. Perhaps a schooling tank with 6 rasboras, 6 rummynose and one or two slightly larger fish for variety? Wrap it up with 5-6 cories... Or go for the farlowellas. I know we were both on a thread that talked about farlowellas earlier today. Those fish are peaceful, herbivores, easy to keep, and would probably be very cool to look at also! Make sure you get a good price, though. Some places charge $8, some $50.

I'm out of ideas for now.

[e-cat]

i have wanted discus for my 110gallon but thats where my e-cat is going too be going in time, the discus here a really expensive $30 isnt bad but when they get up too $150 and more thats a little too much for fw, rumy nose tetras are pretty i forgot about them, i was thinking marble hatchets, i was thinking a farlowella or a bristile nose pleco, i can get the farlowellas for around $12

[TankGirl]

Serpae tetras are a lovely red color, and I second the motion for harlequin rasboras - they are a lovely peaceful fish with very interesting markings. Rams can be extremely sensitive, so if you are keeping them might as well go for the cardinal tetras, because of their beautiful colors.

[madasafish]

Agree with TankGirl on the rams--very sensitive, and they have extremely short lifespans (1-1.5 yrs).

Bristlenose are pretty ugly, btw, in most cases. I had some, and they might not suit your g/f's tast if she's into a more beauty-oriented tank... They always look great in pics because ppl take pics from the front of the fish, but in reality they're often a mottled brown/yellow color which is not terribly attractive... I think justDIY or Shawmutt has been advocating American Flag Fish for algae control, and they look really pretty. Sorta like small Jack Dempseys in coloration (sparkly small dots on their sides).

[e-cat]

i kinda like the way the bristlenose pleco looks and yeah she does think there ugly, i think the medusa pleco looks even better, but i know i will be the one taking care of the tank so im gonna have some say in the tank, water quality is never a problem i take really good care of my tanks the water is always clean and every thing is keep at perfict levels.

[madasafish]

Yeah, the Medusa is pretty darn cool. Sorta a more intense bushy nose. I'd go with that! It won't get too big, as it gets to about 6 inches.

[Madame_X]

I think the Bolivian Rams are a little easier to keep than the German variety. I got two of each and the Bolivians have adjusted very well. One of my Gold German Rams isn't doing very well and I don't think he's gonna make it, although the other one seems fine and doesn't let the bigger Bolivians intimidate him much. I definitely think the Germans are more passive, and the Bolivians more territorial.

I just moved the three healthy ones into my 30 gallon tank with a bristlenose pleco (she's not ugly!). I'm thinking adding a small school of rummy-nose or bleeding heart tetras to finish off the mix in a few weeks once things have established themselves.

I'd recommend the Bolivian Rams, though. I'm enjoying them a lot!

[e-cat]

the rams are most likely going too be in there for sure.

[TankGirl]

That's a good tip about the Bolivians, and I have heard this elsewhere. They are so beautiful. My water is just a wee bit hard for them. I don't think bristlenoses are ugly, and in fact I was in the market for one for my 15gal, but wound up with a rubbernose instead, and I am totally charmed by his ugly mug!

[madasafish]

Ha ha. Ugly is a subjective term!! I meant it in a very endearing way!! After all, I did buy/keep three of them! I think the term ugly can mean many things when it comes to fish. I gotta say that some of the "ugliest" fish are the coolest, such as FW lionfish and stonefish.

I only meant it in that it might not be good for e-cat's g/f, since she seems to want more aesthetically pleasing fish...

I have enjoyed having a male Betta in a peaceful community tank. I also have a female Betta. When introducing a female, it is best (I was told) to put two females in...supposedly reduces the chance that the male will attack either female. Anyway, I had two females but eventully one died, and the one female and the male have gotten along very well with each other and the entire tank.

Other fish in the tank include two Pearl Gourami, two Black Widow Tetra, two Clown Loaches, two Plecos, two Harlequin Rasbora and, my most recent addition, two Praecox Rainbowfish.

The tank is quite mature and has done very well.

[e-cat]

thanks for all the replies but we sold this tank so we can focus on the reef tank.