Stocking advice

[GeekLikeThat]

Hello everyone. I have recently purchased a 36 gallon bowfront and I am looking for advice on stocking the tank. It is currently in the process of a fishless cycle, so I am trying to plan everything out during this painful wait. Other than a 10g with a fancy goldfish for my daughter, this will be my first tank in a long time.

Because this is a fairly tall tank(20"), I really want to make sure I get some top, middle, and bottom fish to avoid large empty spaces. I'm not a fan of livebearers as I don't want to keep up with all the fry or end up with a way overcrowded tank.

Here's what I am currently considering.

4-6 Corys - Panda or Skunk
10 Bentos/Candy Cane Tetras
2 Pearl Gouarmis
2 Bolivian Rams (I'd prefer German Blue's, but I'm worried about them being more sensitive)

Anyone see any issues with this, or have any suggestions? According to aqadvisor.com I'm at 92%, but I know that's not necessarily correct.

Thanks.

 

[cgthebeast]

Hello everyone. I have recently purchased a 36 gallon bowfront and I am looking for advice on stocking the tank. It is currently in the process of a fishless cycle, so I am trying to plan everything out during this painful wait. Other than a 10g with a fancy goldfish for my daughter, this will be my first tank in a long time.

Because this is a fairly tall tank(20"), I really want to make sure I get some top, middle, and bottom fish to avoid large empty spaces. I'm not a fan of livebearers as I don't want to keep up with all the fry or end up with a way overcrowded tank.

Here's what I am currently considering.

4-6 Corys - Panda or Skunk
10 Bentos/Candy Cane Tetras
2 Pearl Gouarmis
2 Bolivian Rams (I'd prefer German Blue's, but I'm worried about them being more sensitive)

Anyone see any issues with this, or have any suggestions? According to aqadvisor.com I'm at 92%, but I know that's not necessarily correct.

Thanks.

Hi, first I would move the goldfish to the larger tank, they get pretty large. It get a 20 for
It. Other then that, 2 pearls grouamis wouldn't work either consedering that there not enough territory. For the tetras, rams , and cories, that should be fine. Also look at silver hatchet fish for upper schooling level fish

 

[Fishperson]

Hi GeekLikeThat, welcome to Aquarium Advice!

I agree on the pearl gourami, and you might want to get a dwarf gourami instead. Also, are the rams going to be a pair (male and female)? If so, they might be aggressive to the corys when mating. If not, then they might fight anyway. Also danios are good top dwellers.

 

[GeekLikeThat]

Thank you for the welcome and the advice on the pearls. I definitely wont be going with them.

I had been looking at danios, but was worried that a school of 6-8 might get to be a little much for the tank. My wife doesn't like the hatchets, so those are out, and I'm worried a single dwarf gourami wouldn't fill the top much. Was considering maybe some harlequin rasboras if they would stay in the upper half.

Any thoughts on the rasboras?

 

[billsey420]

My rasboras tend to stay toward the top

 

[azmodan]

Nothing wrong with the harlequins but here are a few other options for great top dwelling fish:

Furcata rainbowfish
Threadfin rainbowfish

 

[GeekLikeThat]

I really like the furcata (forktail) rainbows. Hopefully I can find them locally.

Here's my current plan then:

8 furcata/forktail rainbowfish
8 bentos/candy cane tetras
6 panda corydoras
2 bolivian/german blue rams

Any issues? I'm worried it might be a little overstocked.

 

[Fishperson]

I don't think it's overstocked, but I wouldn't add any more fish. So are the bolivians/german blues going to be a pair?

 

[GeekLikeThat]

Probably a pair. From what I've read, they will get along better that way. Except for during mating as you said earlier.

 

[Fishperson]

Probably a pair. From what I've read, they will get along better that way. Except for during mating as you said earlier.

Okay. Just be prepared, because Corys are bottom dwellers too.