While my 55 is doing its fishless cycle, I'm planning how to stock it. I had thought that I wanted a peaceful community tank but as I've spent more time watching the fish, I've started envisioning a more active/semi-aggressive blend. On that note, I've started two general stock lists, one with gouramis and one with tiger barbs as I'm under the impression that of the fish I like, those are the two that are (usually) incompatible.
Tank/water issues:
We have well water and the pH is consistently at 8.0. I plan on adding some driftwood and low-light plants to the tank but I'm not sure how much that will affect the pH. I would prefer to find fish that would be happy with those parameters rather than try and alter the pH and keep it consistent.
Also, the tank is set up in the middle of our living room - it is not usually quiet there.
Option 1:
danios or Red Minor Serpae Tetra or black phantom tetras (group of 6-12)
Tiger barbs (6)
cory cats (3-5)
loaches(3) - I think clown loaches get too big for my tank. I really like them though and am wondering if I'll be ready to upgrade to a larger tank by the time they need one or if kuhlii or yoyo loaches would be a safer bet.
Praecox rainbows (3-5)
Option 2:
tetras (glowlight or head and tail light or something else flashy and small) (6-12)
Praecox rainbows (3-5)
gouramis (dwarf) (3)
yoyo or clown loaches (3)
otos (3-5)
cory cats (3-5)
cherry barbs (5-8)
Any thoughts or guidance? What about rainbow sharks? If I add one last, will it still get territorial?
Thank you,
~g
Tank/water issues:
We have well water and the pH is consistently at 8.0. I plan on adding some driftwood and low-light plants to the tank but I'm not sure how much that will affect the pH. I would prefer to find fish that would be happy with those parameters rather than try and alter the pH and keep it consistent.
Also, the tank is set up in the middle of our living room - it is not usually quiet there.
Option 1:
danios or Red Minor Serpae Tetra or black phantom tetras (group of 6-12)
Tiger barbs (6)
cory cats (3-5)
loaches(3) - I think clown loaches get too big for my tank. I really like them though and am wondering if I'll be ready to upgrade to a larger tank by the time they need one or if kuhlii or yoyo loaches would be a safer bet.
Praecox rainbows (3-5)
Option 2:
tetras (glowlight or head and tail light or something else flashy and small) (6-12)
Praecox rainbows (3-5)
gouramis (dwarf) (3)
yoyo or clown loaches (3)
otos (3-5)
cory cats (3-5)
cherry barbs (5-8)
Any thoughts or guidance? What about rainbow sharks? If I add one last, will it still get territorial?
Thank you,
~g