What should I stock in my 68g?

[chappers]

I have a 68g cycling fish in currently and wanted some advice on stock, my LFS have very similar stock and I've visited several to find little inspiration so thats where you come in.

Currently, 3 weeks into the cycle I have 4 mollies, 2 platys, 9 molly fry (couple of days old), 2 plecs, 2 silver sharks and 1 red fin shark (all are between 1.5-2 inches). Only had one casualty so far and that was a jumper unfortunately.

Anyway, so i realise that i will probably need to re-home the silver sharks, jumped in to quickly like many other beginners but apart form that i don't know what to put in there, i LOVE clown loach and want them to feature, my other half loves parrot fish which is probably on my list also but apart form that i have not seen anything else that takes my eye at the LFS or online really, what would you guys recommend as something colourful and lively to add to the tank?

Also as a reference the tank is well planted, 2 filters that turn over 5-6 times the capacity each every hour and has a good flow which the silver sharks seem to love!

Any advice would be great!

 

[FishGeek97]

Hmmmm....Let me think.....What about some elder's livebearers? It really depends apon what kind of tank you want set up. That sounds like alot of fish to start out with during cycling though. What kind of tank where you thinking of? A community? A biotope? A livebearer Tank?

 

[chappers]

Thanks for the reply,

I wasn't intending on having that many in to begin with, the ball's, red tail and plc's were in another tank but had to move them unfortunately.

I am unsure what a biotope is? excuse me, new to this, well fairly!

I would ideally be looking for some fish that compliment what I already have and I love clown loach so want to involve them at some stage.

The other question is should i get another bottom feeder or add some shrimp as the 'clean up crew'?

 

[FishGeek97]

A biotope is a tank that resembles the fish's natural habitat. So say if you wanted to keep an amazon biotope you would have really soft water and plants from the amazon area like: Dwarf Hair grass and amazon swords, Fish would include: Tetras, Discus, Angels, Cory Catfish hatchetfish, and amazon cichlids. An african cichlid lake biotope would be a tank with lots of rocks and hard water, with little or no plants. the fish would be lots of cichlids that come from that lake, like mnuba cichlids.
For your next question, I would keep both. Corys are excelent bottom feeders, and shrimp would help as well. Also a plus for corys is that their virtually bullet proof! Hmmmmm for your tank what about some anglefish? Corys would be great too, and maybe some tetras IF you decide NOT to keep angelfish.

 

[chappers]

Thanks, i felt pretty stupid after googling it! lol

tbh i wasn't looking to mimc any particular environment but I do like the natural look and currently have a collection of bog woods with caves carefully created using them and 2 humungous java fern plants (more like trees), 2 huge other bush like plants, can't remember there names but i got them to shelter fry as long bush type but small leaves and just planted a collection of amazon swords, hair grass and flame moss.

Will check out the cory's, say i kept my current stock and wanted to add clown loach and cory's how many should i be looking to add of each/total? Obviously these would be added over time

 

[FishGeek97]

I would keep at least 5 corys, they're very social critters. Clown loaches are also very social, i would keep at least three. Oh and just to let you know, if you keep corys don't add aquarium salt to the water, it will kill them. The salt burns their skin since they don't have scales.

 

[chappers]

Thanks Mr F Geek!

Cheers mate, sounds good to me, just had a look at the cory's and think i will opt for them and clowns, thanks for your help!

 

[FishGeek97]

No problemo! Ask me anytime, I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I know a good bit! I've been in the fw hobby for two years, and now i'm finally moving towards sw!

 

[chappers]

Sounds good to me, I must admit that I went to the LFS with my other half looking for nemo's so i can sympathise with the speciality, I soon opted for tropical after researching the equipment, investment and specialism it is, though i bought my latest tank form eBay and came with all the equipment i need for SW but stuck to tropical for now but all the bits are waiting in the wings if needed!

will drop a pic in here later if i remember, did you ever get around to creating your SW tank you posted pics of in another thread?

 

[FishGeek97]

No, still in the process of moving. But I'm still planning to build it! I'll keep you posted about it!