Stocking a 29.

[calfishguy]

Hey guys. I'm looking for some ideas for my 29. It currently houses 4 dwarf rainbows that I could potentially move to my 55. To let you guys know what type of fish I already have here is my 55 stocking list.

1 leopard ctenepoma
1 angelfish
1 holden gourami
3 boesmani rainbows
7 black skirt tetras
5 lemon tetras.

I am looking for something different for my 29 so fire away with ideas.

Thanks.

 

[Mattfinn]

A pair of rams, either Bolivian or german blue

 

[PNWaquarist]

A pair of rams, either Bolivian or german blue

A school of a dozen or so Harlequin Rasboras would complement the rams nicely.

 

[gilpi]

I'd go with the rams and remove the rainbows. Rainbows are lighting fast eating machines, I don't think any of the other fish can compete.


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[Bichir Bro]

I'd go with the rams and remove the rainbows. Rainbows are lighting fast eating machines, I don't think any of the other fish can compete.


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I agree, I personally don't like seeing Boesemani Rainbows in 48" tanks and feel safer when I see them In 6 foot tanks. They get very large.
If the OP were to remove their Rainbow fish, it would be fairly do able to get Rams.


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[calfishguy]

Okay so a pair of German blues it is. Maybe or maybe not for the rainbows. I'll look into some harlequin rasboras. Maybe a school of 8? Any other schooling suggestions? As for the rainbows in my 55 I do agree that they are active fish, but I have had them for a few years now and at aprox 4 inches long everything is good so far. Would I be ok to move the other rainbows to my 55. I already have the 4 dwarf néons.

 

[azmodan]

A pair or trio of apistos would be nice too, such as cacatuoides or borellii. You could complement them with a big school of beckfords pencilfish and tons of plant cover.

Another fun option would be a nano tank. 15 celestial pearl danios, 15 ember tetras or 15 chili rasboras, colony of RCS, maybe a group of sparkling gourami too.

 

[Bichir Bro]

A pair or trio of apistos would be nice too, such as cacatuoides or borellii. You could complement them with a big school of beckfords pencilfish and tons of plant cover.

Another fun option would be a nano tank. 15 celestial pearl danios, 15 ember tetras or 15 chili rasboras, colony of RCS, maybe a group of sparkling gourami too.

I wouldn't put any of those fish with an Angel fish or Leapord Ctenopoma. But if the OP were to remove more fish that could be doable too.


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[calfishguy]

I think there is some confusion here. I am asking for suggestions for my 29 gallon that has 4 dwarf néons in it. If i were to remove the. They would go in my 55. The list in my first post is of my 55 stocking. I added it so you guys know what I like.

 

[Bichir Bro]

I think there is some confusion here. I am asking for suggestions for my 29 gallon that has 4 dwarf néons in it. If i were to remove the. They would go in my 55. The list in my first post is of my 55 stocking. I added it so you guys know what I like.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, ok I get it now. Thanks!


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[calfishguy]

Okay so I think I came up with a plan. How does this sound to you guys. Remember that I'm still super open to suggestions so don't be afraid to recommend something etc.

2 gbrs
8 harlequin rasboras
10 rummynose tetras
8 julii cories.

Also do you guys think I could add the 4 dwarf rainbows to my 55?

 

[PNWaquarist]

Okay so I think I came up with a plan. How does this sound to you guys. Remember that I'm still super open to suggestions so don't be afraid to recommend something etc.

2 gbrs
8 harlequin rasboras
10 rummynose tetras
8 julii cories.

Rummys and Julii Corys spend most of their time on the bottom third of the tank and will likely not be appreciated by a pair of rams. Ram pairs can get very territorial. In a 29 gallon tank, I'd only do one ram if I had a lot of action at the bottom of the tank. I would probably do something like...

2 GBRs
10 Harlequin Rasboras (mid/upper dweller)
8 Black Neon Tetras (mid/upper dweller)

or...

1 GBR
4 Julii Corys
10 Harlequins
8 Black Neons

Or some variation of that, where your ram(s) have ample room at the bottom of the tank. Be sure to give the ram(s) multiple cave-like hiding places.

Also, in a 29-gallon tank, I'd stay closer to 25 fish than 30 fish to ensure that you're not overstocked. (Of course, this also depends on the bioload of the fish.)

 

[absolutangel04]

I don't really like rams, personally. Gbr are known for randomly dropping dead. I have had Bolivians, but I don't think they have anything on the personality of some other dwarf cichlids like Laetacara curviceps, or similar Laetacara species. Another little cichlid I personally really like is the kribensis.
I think you would be fine with rummies and rams if you wanted them. Rummies learn very quickly to stay out of the way. Also, as long as you have properly furnished the tank with decor and sight barriers, I don't see an issue with cories in there too. Just, maybe start with more like 4 and see how it goes.
I had a single krib in a 20g with celebs rainbows and a few other tankmates and I really like the combo.
A couple other options to consider: honey gourami, paradise gourami, dwarf chain loach, hatchetfish, green fire tetra, ember tetra.
You could aim for an all nano tank. They are always quite fun too.
Are your current dwarf rainbows praecox?

 

[calfishguy]

Yes they are praecox.

Unfortunately i dont have access to many dwarf cichlids in my area. Are there others that could work? Would I do 1 or 2 Kribs.

Could I have a nano tank that has shrimp that can reproduce without getting all of the babies eaten?

 

[absolutangel04]

Yes they are praecox.

Unfortunately i dont have access to many dwarf cichlids in my area. Are there others that could work? Would I do 1 or 2 Kribs.

Could I have a nano tank that has shrimp that can reproduce without getting all of the babies eaten?

Kribs can get feisty while breeding, so in general I would suggest only 1 unless you make sure nothing else in the tank will get beat up on.

As for a nano tank with shrimp, with light enough stocking and heavy enough plant cover, you can certainly try it! Pick small tank mates like green neons or chili rasboras or clown killis. These may be a bit tough to find though, and you would likely have to order online. Normal size fish will likely eat the rcs, or else the rcs won't feel safe enough to come out IME. Once you get enough cover to keep them happy, you will never see them. Some people keep them with sparkling gouramis, scarlet badis, or similar nano fish. There are still predations, but you should hopefully get a few babies if it is planted enough.

You can try the rams if you want, just make sure to keep the parameters very nice. Part of the issue with rams is poor stock. You may be able to get a good one, you just don't always know unless you try. I used to keep Bolivians which I liked ok, but now that I have had other dwarf cichlids, I wouldn't ever get rams again. I prefer the temperament of other cichlids more. That is, of course, just my preference of course.

 

[calfishguy]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. If you guys have any other input please fire away. I'll let you guys know what I decide. I'm thinking I might just want a shrimp only setup. I'm not sure yet. I guess I'm just too indecisive.

Would rummy nose tetras eat shrimp?

 

[absolutangel04]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. If you guys have any other input please fire away. I'll let you guys know what I decide. I'm thinking I might just want a shrimp only setup. I'm not sure yet. I guess I'm just too indecisive.

Would rummy nose tetras eat shrimp?

Assuming we still mean RCS, yes, most assuredly. The only thing that saves them from nano fish is that the nano fish are too small to eat them. Rummies will not be as active of hunters as some other species, I know from experience they will eat them if given the option if the shrimp is small enough to eat. Adults would likely be safe though. But, young ones would not. Ghosties dodge predation by being clear and not a bright red meal ticket target. I would imagine they would be fine with rummies long term.

 

[calfishguy]

How about a betta and shrimp. Since its a 29 would he bother them?

 

[absolutangel04]

How about a betta and shrimp. Since its a 29 would he bother them?

With rcs, yes he probably would. If you stocked enough, you would probably be fine. But, it is rather hit or miss if bettas will destroy rcs or not. Some will go after them and kill them all, some will leave them alone. Depends on the betta. Ghosties have far better luck and only a handful of bettas will go after them. You can always try it though and see how it goes. Up to you. The plus side is that if it doesn't work as well as you would like, a betta only needs a small tank to relocate to. If you start with enough rcs, I would think it would be ok.

Nano fish would be a safer option since they are smaller and can only fit so much in their mouths.

 

[calfishguy]

Yeah after some shrimp friendly recommendations in the invert section I think I'm going to go with a large school or chili rasboras, and some orange sakura shrimp. Thanks for all your help guys.