rg5141

Our 38 gal. tank has been running for 8 weeks and things are going well so far. We are looking for advice to complete our stocking scheme over time. Currently in the tank are 4 Zebra Danios, 4 Platies (3 Female, 1 Male), and 3 Peppered Cory Cats.

What would you suggest for the type and quantity to complete the stocking scheme? We really like Tetras, Dwarf Gourami, and Angel fish. Is there a combination of these (or other ideas) that would work really well? Thanks.

dvc_r

Welcome to Fishlore! It sounds like your well on your way to a great hobby. I don't like to suggest too much because that's half the fun. Researching to find the best group of fish that not only fit your wants but also the parameters of your environment. Keep in mind your one inch per gal rule (although most of us squeak out a few more), then check out deco/plants, which fish like to hide, which like open space, what level of the tank they like to spend most their time, what is your water pH and hardness and which fish fit the parameters. Also are you looking for peaceful, or a little more action with a semi aggressive tank. My experience your danios can handle either one but I would lean toward a more peaceful tank because of your platies. Also remember your platies will probable have babies in the near future.
The only thing I could suggest in the near future is a small pleco or a group of ottos to clean any algae. If your tank is cycled you should start to see some algae growing on the glass soon. One more thing, if you do decide on ottos, they are hard to acclimate to a tank but once they do, they usually last for quite a long time and they do a great job cleaning the glass. Since they are hard to acclimate I suggest to buy them at Petsmart because they have a 14 day -no questions asked- guarantee! So if they don't make it you can replace them.

Good luck
and if you have any other questions, this is one of the best websites I've found for help!

Nick G

Welcome to Fishlore! Your tank sounds great! All of the fish you mention above will work together for the most part, however fully grown Angels may eat some of the smaller tetra species such as Embers or Neons. There are loads of options for a 38gal, so look around and see what you like! Any questions just ask!

Drew 43920

I think Angels would eat the baby Platys. Maybe a good thing. A couple more Danios would make a school. A few live plants would be nice. What color are the Platys, the gravel and the background ?

agabr123

i probably would not combine angels and tetras, especially smaller varieties of tetras such as neons, although i'm sure your angels would just think that you were giving them a great snack. with a 38 gallon there are so many things you could do, i'd say get two or three more corycats first, they love lots of friends. also, with such a big tank i'd look into some of the bigger varieties of gouramis, there are LOTS of really pretty ones that would probably go well, like the pearl, opaline, three spot, etc.

oh, also with angel fish, if you plan on keeping more than one, don't automatically expect the two to be a "pair", they don't necessarily pair of with just whoever is in there even if there is just one other. your best bet if you want them to pair off and not be aggressive towards each other is to get six juveniles of the same type from the same tank and let them pair off on their own. i'd do a little research on angelfish, recently i've been looking in to getting some and they require very pristine water conditions and established tanks, so that's something to keep in mind.

rg5141

Thanks for the feedback.

We have 11 artificial plants in the tank (4 LG, 3 Med, 4 small) arranged from back to front in that order. The gravel is predominately brownish/deep red. We have a log ornament that makes a nice cave, and some obsidian "boulders". Our 8 year old had to have the submarine (sorry to the purists). I must admit I wanted it more natural myself, but after all, the whole idea was to bring the family into a hobby together. He's thrilled about the sub, so it's all good. We have a plain blue background to round out the setup.

About two weeks ago we had our first algae bloom, starting reddids/brown, then changing to green and just this week I'm starting to see some faint algae spots developing on the glass. From what I've read things seem to be going according to plan.

The male platy is deep red, we have one mickey mouse platy and the other two are orange/yellow. We're pretty patient about adding fish. The idea is to do it right. One thing I read about Tetras is that if they inhabit the tank for a while before the young Angel(s) are added then the likelihood of the tetras as a snack goes way down. Either way, the angel will be the last fish we add somewhere down the road.

I appreciate the help and it certanly is nice to get it at a friendly and knowlegable site since I'm a complete novice in the hobby. I've read everything I could find on the internet and have to say this is at the top of the list of sites out there.

agabr123

lol it's okay, it's great to get your kids involved (when they get old enough they can be very helpful with water changes ) it sounds like your on the right track to having a great tank but out of curiosity what kind of test kit do you have, strips or liquid? if you have the strips, whenever it's possible i would definitely suggest getting a liquid test kit, API freshwater is what i think most would recommend for its accuracy.

its definitely a good idea to add the angel much later down the road, they aren't the hardiest from what i've read in terms of being added to a tank that isn't already established, so you have a much greater chance of them surviving and thriving if you add them into a tank that is well-established

David593

if you indeed want an angelfish, then it can work. I would recommend the following,


add 1 more zebra danio

add 2 more cories

If you would like, you could probably get a school of 5 tetras (larger than neons, preferably around 2" like cardinals, rummynose, bleeding heart, etc.)

If you want an angel add it last and get a juvie.

So you are looking at:
5-Zebra Danios
4-Platies
1-Angelfish
5-tetras
5-Cories

I think you can get away with this. Just keep up with your water changes, preferably 20% per week.

Drew 43920

With those colors I would be thinking about a black fish. Molly maybe

rg5141

We are using the API liquid test kits and being diligent about the testing and our water changes. Our local fish store owner suggests a 20% change every two weeks. I've also read plenty about 10-20% weekly water changes. It seems there are lots of opinions on that subject.

agabr123

i'd definitely have to say weekly water changes, i do anywhere from 25-40%, as long as you arent taking all the gravel out and rinsing it (first, why would you want to!? and second, it kills some of the beneficial bacteria) then you should be fine. it really helps in trying to keep nitrates below 20ppm, 10ppm would be even better for your fish!