kcarmartinez

Wanted some advise on stocking my planted 27G Hex. Right now I have 5 Neon Tetras and 1 more in Quarantine with 4 Cardinal Tetras.
What I want...
School of Neon/Cardinals
School of Panda Cories
1... dun dun Duuuuuun.... Angelfish
The Neons and cories are non-negotiable.
I have been reading that if you add the angelfish last and small you can sometimes have them with neon and cardinal tetras.
So my question is...
How many of each school can I have? Is one angelfish ok? I think I read someone say angelfish are unhappy single, but I am not sure if this is correct. I am sure I don't have room for 2 and would rather have bigger schools.

AlyeskaGirl

I think in your size tank, with Tetras and Corys that you should get only one Angelfish but then without you could have bigger schools of Tetras. Instead, Dwarf Gourmai or Pearl Gourmai would be nice too but that's just me. I've read that Angelfish prefer to be in groups of three or more...that they live longer if not alone, but who knows. They also are sensitive to water quilty, best to add them to a more established tank, meaning older water. Temp is 80-82 to keep them healthy. They can live with Neons, just need to growup together as I read. Out of all the Cichlids, Angelfish grow slowly but get up to 6". If you decide get one, make sure its the size of a quarter. Dime size are more sensitive, but so cute!! This is your tank it's all up to you. You might want to consider later when tank is more established is 3 Ottos or 3 Khasi Garras (algae eater).

kribensis keeper

all the fish are fine except for the angelfish as it may eat the neons when it gets older as some angelfish do this so i would have to agree with alyeskaGirl and mabey add a gourami you can even try some mollies, swordtails or platies

Jaysee

Small tetras are an excellent choice for a hex tank. I have a 30 hex with orange flame tetras, neons, black neons, kuhli loaches and a dwarf gourami. I'd like to get a bolivian ram in there, and maybe some clown killis.

Introducing the angel last and when it's small may work, but it may not. It's really up to the individual fish's personality.

peacemaker92

Great advice above. I'd go with the school of tetras and cories and a Gourami as well A Pearl would do nicely

kcarmartinez

If I get an Angelfish it will be the last fish in the tank. So I am trying to figure out how many Tetras/Pandas I could get with one angel? And if I went with a Pearl/Dwarf Gourami how would you change the stocking of the Tetra/Cories? Any suggestions on good Dwarf Gouramis? I had a Blue Ram before, it was very mean. I am thinking of something that stays more to the top anyway and won't pick on the little cories. I should have gotten a Bolivian but but the store I got it had mean old Blue. :-( Should have waited and had one ordered. Basically I want my bottom dwellers (pandas aren't really but they qualify ), middle schoolers and a centerpiece fish (upper half dweller).
How is this...
12 Tetras (6 Neon, 6 Cardinal)
8 Panda Cories
1 Anglefish or 1 Pearl/Dwarf Gourami

Jaysee

I would scale the corys back to 6 because there isn't that much floor space and go with a larger (taller) bodied tetra like orange von rios because the small torpedo shaped fish are easy to eat. If you go with a DG then the tetras don't matter. IMO a pearl gourami gets too big for that size hex tank.

AlyeskaGirl

Schooling is more of a defense thing...if the Tetras are comfortable they will spreadout across the tank, then if they see you comin' they quickly school together, lol. That's what mine do, such interesting fun little guys.

I think I would change the stock of Corys to 5, Panda's max size is about 2". You have to keep in mind the space for swimming when they get bigger, not crowded since they will be on the bottom of a hex tank.

Below is a link to pics of Dwarf Gouramis. Enjoy!! They are soooo pretty! It may be better to go with a DG instead of an Angelfish, just because of the Neons. Like an above poster said, you just never know what will happen. You always can get another tank for the Tetras and get a pair of Angels for the hex. hehehe lol

http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Gouramis...cellaneous.htm

Jaysee

I agree - just get another tank!

kcarmartinez

I would Love another big tank. I think I need a bigger house, and my hubby might kill me with the tanks we already have. My kids even have tanks in their rooms... start em young.

Ok, so it looks like I am going to go with...
12 Tetras (6 Neons, 6 Cardinals) (already have 10 of these)
5/6 Panda Cories
1 DG (We will go with safe since I already have my torpedo fish)

So, with a Dwarf Gourami can I get more tetras or am I loaded? I think 12 should be good.

Also, I was going to add the cories next because I wanted to get everything in the tank before the angelfish, but if I don't do an angelfish can I add the DG next or would it still be bettter to add cories?

Jaysee

I don't think it matters what you add next.