David593

As some of you may remember, I not too long ago had some Q's about stocking my south american tank. Well here is where the list id right now (55 G by the way)

6-hatchetfish
5-cardinal tetras
1-angelfish (raise with tetra as a juvie)
5-6-cories
1-pleco (small breed)
2-german blue rams (once tank is well established)

I was wondering, I was thinking of maybe putting 1 more small school of tetras. But then I thought that maybe I could ad some platys for more color?

If so, how many?
Are they big reproducers?
if so how can I tell the males apart?

I just thought that maybe platys would bring in some more color too make up for the duller colors of the cories and hatchetfish

David593

Oh and the tank is still cycling.... so there's nothing in...yet...

travie

I would add to the schools and shoals you already have. A school and shoal of fish will always look better the bigger it is. I say increase the cardinals, hatchets, and cories, to at least 10. Also I would get 2 angels instead of 1. They seem to do better in pairs and watch out for aggression as they get older.

David593

I agree with the fact that maybe I should up the numbers. So like 7 cardinals and 8 hatchets...I just dont want to overstock...And also the only reason why I do not have a pair of angelfish is mainly due to the fact that they usually need to be a mated pair to get along. Otherwise one will pick on the other. And the only way to ensure that you get a mated pair is to get them as adults. Thus, not letting them grow up with the tetras, increasing the chance of aggresion towards tetras.

kacie

Sounds like it is going to be beautiful tank. I was thinking along the same lines but was afraid of the sensitivity of the GBR's and the aggression issues with angels. I would maybe get 6 GBR's, no Angel, and 20 neons, 10 hatchets and a bn pleco. But really your combo sounds very pretty and active.

tom28

hey they are pretty big reproducers as far as i know, ive been told as long as you have a male and female youll have fry. i think ive heard up to 17 fry at a time..around that ball park but ill leave that to the pros. they are able to breed after 3 months, correct me if im wrong. the males have a long gonopodium or anal fin, in comparison to the females. just do a search on google image and youll be able to tell the difference forsure, i think there is one even comparing the male and female. i like my platies alot, they have been super resistant...or maybe i was just extra crappy at taking care of my tetras when i first started this all out.

i was wondering what type of pleco do you have in there/wil? you said it was small, and im thinking of getting one for my tank since i really liked the one im my first try but it would have gotten to big for my 20 gal (it was a clown). so far im thinking a skunk cory and i take it its true you have to keep them in small groups?

thanks, hope some of the info helped too

Blub

Hatchets will deffinatly be much better in the large school. I think upping the schools is the way to go... But not too much as you don't want an overstocked tank!

David593

Tom,
well for small-ish pleco I was thinking along the linbes of maybe a rubberlip or bristlenose. However if I can find any, I'd like a more colorful one like a gold nugget, clown, etc. Also, yes cories like to be in groups




Anyways, So right now I'm at:
8-hatchetfish
5-cardinals
5-other tetra
1-angelfish
1-small pleco
2-GBR's
5-cories

I'm now worried that I'm overstocked...any opinions?

Blub

Gold Nuggets would get to about 35cm.... Thats not exactly Dwarf! I think with the school of 'other tetras' it's overstocked.

David593

ok. Then ill take out one of the schools of tetras! I may just like up the cardinals to like 7 then? just so they feel more secure

tom28

hey david,

heres a really good website for plecos http://www.planetcatfish.com/ and this link give specifics about which plecos to get for what size tanks... http://www.planetcatfish.com/shanesw...article_id=170

hope it may help. i think im going to grab a clown tomorrow acutally so best of luck with your decisions.

tom

angelfish220

Just in case, platies are central American not south.

David593

Ya I noticed that not too long ago. Figured that central america would count as S.A. That why i asked about another school of tetras thanks.

Oh and tom, thanks for the info. Umm my local fish store doesnt sell many freshwater fish. They are more freshwater. Do you have any idea were I could find different plecos. Like any chains that may have them. I live in Northwest Ga if that helps. About 20 miles northwest of atlanta.

David593

ya. I just like them. But they are too big.

David593

David593

thanks all again