Possible African Butterfly stocking list?

[epicfish]

Hey everyone,

I've searched the forums regarding this fish already and I think I have a stocking list that won't be eaten by the AFB. I'm still wondering about the mid-level though. I want to stock cardinal tetras, but afraid that the AFB will make an expensive meal out of them. This will be in a 40 gallon breeder planted tank.

= Top Level =
African Butterfly Fish

= Mid Level =
Threadfin / Longfin Rainbow

Cardinal Tetra -- afraid they'll get eaten

= Low Level =
Amano Shrimp

Otocinclus

Corydoras paleatus

Corydoras melanistius

-1 or 2 AFB.
-7 longfin rainbowfish
-15-20 cardinal tetras.

-15-20 Amano shrimp
-12-15 Otos
-6 Corydoras paleatus
-And possibly 6 Corydoras melanistius

What do you all think?

 

[STARFYRE]

As far as your list, I would cut everything in half. That's a whole lotta stuff for a 40 gal. That's JMO.
I think the best bet is to stick with one ABF. I think they fight with each other. I have had one in my semi-aggressive 55 gal for about 2 years and he's doing great! There are no other top dwellers in the tank.
I had another one in my 29 gal community with emporer tetras and celebes rainbows and he didn't seem to bother them. Emporers, however, are much bigger than cardinals. I would stick in the cardinals and see how they do. With a 40 gal, I would go with 13-15 of the cardinals. The 7 threadfins should be fine. They are very similar to the celebes I had with mine in the 29.
Now for the clean up crew/ bottom dwellers.....
I'm not familiar with the amano shrimp. If they're anything like ghost shrimp, the rainbows and ABF will probably go after them and eat them. I have never had otos either. From what I understand, they're algae eaters. 12-15 is alot. There may not be enough algae in that size tank for them. I'm assuming they will also eat flake and other types of food, but I don't know for sure, cuz I've never kept them. I would def cut that in half and go with maybe 6. Twelve cories also seems like alot for a 40 gal tank. Maybe go with 4 of each kind.
Again, that's all JMO. But that's what I would do with that kind of set-up. There's so many kinds of FW fish that can be kept in community tanks. I always like to leave room in case I run into something I really like.
HTH

 

[niks93gt]

1 AFB
8 Rainbowfish
8 Corys
4 Ottos

That would be more like it for a 40 gallon stocking list, imo.

Nik