help with selection of fishes for 34g tank please :)

[kingkano]

Hi all. my first post

Was wondering if anybody would like to help me out with my choice of fishes for a 34g (36x18x12) tank I am fishless cycling now. Its currently got sand base, lots of plants (80 or so), 3 peices of driftwood, co2 and a fluval 304 external filter. running temp at 27 at moment, might lower slightly after cycle.

I've done a bit of research, but if anybody has had the below with sand/plants/any of the others and had problems/experiences to share, please DO Or, even just give me an idea what combination you would use to make a nice tank.

There is a bit of a dwarf theme in the fish I haev picked. I am not overly keen on having anything big (bar 1 obvious selection lol), and prefer some small colourful, slight active but peaceful fish instead.

My shortlist is

Bristlenose catfish (prefer 2)
bumblebee gobies (2)
Kuhli loaches (was thinking 3 or 4)
hatchetfish (marbled preferred)
pencilfish
tetras (black neons or black and red phantoms - school of 6-10)
dwarf gouramis (liquorice or sparklers I have my eye on)
checkered barbs
pristellas
neon (dwarf) rainbowfish - just a pair
dwarf chamelon fish (badis badis) - just a pair
maybe danios or rasys
small corys (2" or less - 3 or 4)

Obviously cannot have them all, especially at the beginning . I also am not POSITIVE the gobies thrive in freshwater, but have heard from a few people they do it. Need to check with the lfs how they keep them.

Thanks for any help in advance

ken

 

[tkos]

Bristlenose is great for that size tank and a planted tank as well. Driftwood is needed for him (as you already have). 2 would probably do fine as they reach 4-5 inches at most.

Gobies are brackish water so I would leave them out. They will survive in fresh but it isn't good for them.

I would go with either the cories or the loaches and get a school of 5-6.

Stick with one school fish or things can look messy. The danios/rasp/ or the tetras.

Hatchetfish are great but make sure to not leave any openings as they will jump out of your tank and die.

Make sure that with gouramis you don't have fish that will fin nip them. The danios might, not sure. Barbs definatley will.

Don't knwo much about the rest of the fish choices.

Welcome to the list. Glad you asked before stocking!!

 

[Allivymar]

Hiya kingkano; welcome to Aquariumadvice

Looking amongst your choices, this would be the combo I'd choose:

1 bristlenose
medium school (10-12) pencilfish
small school (5-6) phantoms
medium school (10-12) hatchetfish
small school (5-6) corys
pair of badis badis

I think this combination of fish will cover all levels of the tank, provide lots of movement and a flash of color, and not overstock the tank.