jpunk9

I just set up a 40 gallon tank. I am waiting for the cycle to end. I was just wondering if I could have 2-3 bala sharks, 6-8 zebra and leopard danios, 1 pleco, 1 or 2 dwarf gouramis, and 6-8 cherry and tiger barbs. I was going to start with the danios and add the others accordingly. Can you please give me any suggestions about adding what when and if you have had any problems with these types of communities. I have researched but just want some peoples opinions as well. Here is a pic of my tank. I was wondering if there are enough hiding places. Thank you very much.

Jessica

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COBettaCouple

check out http://www.fishlore.com/TropicalFishProfiles.htm for info on the fish you wanted and how big a tank they need to plan out what you'd like best in your tank while keeping a healthy bioload, unfortunately a 40g would be too small for all of them. the pleco needs a 55g just for him.

Neville

hey Jessica welcome to fishlore!!!!!!!!

Your tank is very beautiful, the set up is perfect, actually the rule is 1" of fish per gallon of water, barbs and gouramis will look very beautiful in your tank, Bala sharks and plecos will require a much bigger tank, both of them grow up to more than 1'.
BTW, barbs r schooling fish and they r fin nippers and u have to keep at least 6 of them to avoid this habit.

jpunk9

Thank you for the replies. I would really like bala sharks, and I was planning on upgrading to a bigger tank when needed. So maybe if i cut out a few of the other fish species it would be ok. Are there smaller alge eaters that i can use, if the pleco gets too big? I will definitly look again at that link thank you. Neville, I was reading about that too, and I am not sure about the barbs for that reason, espically since I would like the danios. Thank you again.

jpunk9

Betta, thanks for the advice. I went to petsmart today to look at some fish. The lady working there showed me a pleco that was a year old and over a foot long. I decided to get a chineese algee eater, when the time comes. Thanks once again.

musicman4567

A good, small algae managing fish is the oto (otocinclus catfish). They only grow to about 1.5-2". They like to have same species company though, so I keep at least 2 of them for them to be healthy. A small crew of them should keep your tank clean. Oh, and they are peacful, community fish. They look similar to chinese algae eaters (the tail markings are different), but don't come with all the aggressive tendancies. Hope this helps!

jpunk9

Thanks i will look into that fish. And if they dont get too big then I will get two.

COBettaCouple

otos definitely won't get too big for that tank and you might look at getting 4-6 of them.. they can be less than hardy the first month in a new tank.

jpunk9

Thats good to know. When I am ready to get them I will buy 4. When should I add them into the tank? As one of the last fish?

COBettaCouple

probably last.. a little while after the other fish are all in and you have stable test results. that will give them the best chance.

Carillon

There are also other types of algae eaters if you find that otos don't suit you for whatever reason. (Though why they wouldn't I have no clue -- they're adorable!)

Here is a comparison chart I found on different algae eating species. It speculates on what kind of algae they will eat, their maximum sizes, what temperatures/communities they are suitable for, and how likely you are to find them in your LFS, among other things.

If you can find it, you might also consider the bristlenose plecostamus. I believe they are less sensitive than the otos.

armadillo

What a great link! I like my otos, btw, but I can imagine that they look a little plain for some people. You could always get zebra otos, but I don't know if they're good algae eaters.

Here's another link on algae eaters. http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/algae.htm

COBettaCouple

yea. my mom and my wife saw my little otos and weren't impressed, but i think otos are cute little guys.. so hard working and playful.

jpunk9

Thanks for both those links. I think i am going to go for the ottos though. They are cute and seem to eat a lot of algee. I also like that you can have a few of them, not just one. Right now I have 3 zebra danios and they are doing great.

Carillon

Glad your little zebras are doing well. They're active little guys aren't they?

I hope you'll post some pictures at some point! Can't wait to see those oto cats in action!

jpunk9

I love my danios. 2 are active and one is not. But i am hopng that once I get more he will perk up. I will post pictures once my tank is a little more full. I cant take any pics of the danios, they are all over the place.

jpunk9

I am so excited. I have my whole tank the way I want it. I now have all my fish and the water levels are perfect. I just want to thank you all for all your help. In the tank I have 4 zebra danios, 4 blue danios, 6 tiger barbs, 2 ottos and 3 bala sharks. In a year or so I will have to upgrade to the bigger tank for the sharks but right now they are all happy. Thank you all again!!!!!!!!!

COBettaCouple

great to hear! we look forward to pics of the tank you've worked so hard on.