Coryd55

I know I have posted this before but only one person responded and the thread died in like one day. I thought I had my stock all planned out but I want to hear what yall have to say.

and Happy Thanksgiving!

Coryd55

Oh yeah. I definitely want 6 Cherry Shrimp. Everything else is up for change. Just lemme hear what you got and I will see if I like it =)

dvd_wightman

If you are unsure about stocking, a great book to pick up is The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums by David E. Boruchowitz. It has a bunch of stocking schemes for 55 gallon tanks. I would love to help you out, but I am not very good at stocking schemes. This chart should help you with compatibility. Check it out, find some fish you like, and then some people around here can help you with the number of fish you can have. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!

-Dave

Coryd55

I found the stocking suggestions of the book and here they are:

Stocking scheme 1# a "typical" community tank
This stocking focuses on the beauty and form of the fish and how well they look together. And it makes a colorful if eclectic display.

*5 Platies are used to cycle the tank
*8 Zebra danios are later added
*8 Leopard Danios are also added
*OR: 6 Giant danios
*6 Serpae tetras
*6 Lemon tetras make up another school
*6 Corydoras catfish call the lower levels of the tank their home and they complete this stocking scheme of a typical community.

Stocking scheme 2# An Asian Accent
This fish stocking theme is made up of fish from Southeast Asia. This setup will provide a lively, colorful tank of small fish.
*10 White cloud mountain minnows cycle the tank
*15 Harlequin Rasboras are later added
*8 Gold Barbs are added also
*1-2 Pair of Dwarf gouramis completes this grouping

Stocking scheme 3# Barbs, Barbs, Barbs
Sometimes barbs can be nippy, but this is usually minimized if they are kept in a school. Barbs are a very interesting group of fish whom are bold and colorful and very lively!
*10 Cherry barbs cycle the tank
*8 Black ruby barbs
*10 Tiger barbs completes this grouping

Stocking Scheme 4# A Tetrad of Tetras
Tetras are very popular fish and many have very colorful iridescent markings on them. There are many different species and fortunately most all of them are peaceful schooling fish.
*10 Black neons cycle the tank
*10 Bloodfin tetras
*10 Glowlight Tetras
*10 Serpae Tetras completes this grouping

Stocking scheme 5# Livebearers only
*4 pairs of Fancy guppies cycle the tank
*2 trio of Swordtails
*10 platies
*1 Bristle or bushynose pleco (Although not a livebearer these algae-eating catfish stay small at around 4 inches and do a great job as an algae-cleanup worker)

Stocking scheme 6# Teeming with Tinies
This tank is unique because it contains fish that are very small, only one species may grow to 2 inches but that is not common. The one drawback to this is some of the fish may a little harder to find unless your really lucky. Here they are:
*10 Leopard danios are used for cycling
*10 Dwarf Chain loaches are added later (these are a very tiny under 2 inch loach who what is lacking in size makes up for in energy, they are an attractive and playful fish who often play games of "Tag" with each-other also, these fish are constantly rooting around for food and taking up any tidbits that the other fish leave behind)
*12 Dwarf Pencil fish these fish barely top 1 inch!
*7 Pygmy Corydoras are a great bottom dweller fish, but they also like to swim in the upper regions of the tank also
*10 Pristella Tetras are later added
*2 Pairs of Pygmy Gouramis (these are delicately marked fish with florescent blue highlights and a shy nature, they are only about an inch and a half and they should do well with these other fish. Its strange why these lovely fish are not offered for sale very much, if you can't find any, you can substitute a pair of Honey dwarf gouramis)

I'm gonna look into some of those I'll let you know what I think.

lyndatu

Definitely have a dwarf gourami! They're easy to take care of and are beautiful and friendly!

Clown Loaches. They will give some life at the bottom of the tank. They're also crazy and good for enternainment! They're very peaceful, but are quite fragile and sensitive to poor waters...



Cherry Shrimp; Good choice!

Barbs: They're very nice fish, especially in schools. There's a wide selection of beautiful barbs to choose from, but although the tiger barb and the odessa barb are one of the most beautiful, beware of these two because they are well-known fin nippers!

Platys, Mollies or Swordtails. A must-have for any freshwater aquarium.

Neon Tetras. Another must-have for any freshwater aquarium! Be sure to keep them in schools!

Well, that's it. I'm no expert at fish mixing, but these fish have done great so far.

:

Oh, and this book of stocking ideas sounds very interesting! I wish I have one!

Chief_waterchanger

Clown loaches need 2 or more together and in 3-4 years (if gotten young) would need more than a 55 gallon tank.
A lot of sites on Clown Loaches say 3-5 or more, but I've seen them do fine for someone who had 2 of them for years.

Coryd55

Alright thanks. I guess I am steering clear of the Clown Loaches and sticking with my good pals the Kuhlis.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

Dino

Cory, whats the cat's name you have pictured in your avatar?

Coryd55

Midnight lol. He's very fat. We got him one time when we were visiting my grandpa's house, he was a stray.