Firecracker

Just picked up a used 30 gallon that was a GREAT deal and got it set up ... now just have to wait for it to cycle, which is good, because even though waiting sucks I am having a hard time picking out fish. There are just so many.

RIght now I am thinking:

Tiger barbs and red wag tails

or

Cherry barbs and white skirt tetras

I also really like the little cardinal tetras and then I was thinking of 1-2 of something a little larger but I don't know what! Gouramis maybe.

Oh and maybe some kind of algae eater? Not sure.

jri4

Cherry barbs are pretty colorful fish. Keep them in a school (5+) plus a school of the tetras with a school of corydoras catfish (bottom feeder). That puts you at (maybe over....) your tank limit... Good luck!

Firecracker

Are catfish school fish? I was thinking of getting just one so I could have some other fish too.

What about snails?

ETA: Just read that they are schoolers. Can I get away with just 1 or 2, or will they be unhappy?

angelfish220

cory cat fish are schoolers but you could get a single bristle nose or something of the sort. Heres lists
tiger barbs - 6fish-3inches each-18inches
red wag platies- 3 fish- 2inches each-6 inches
that is 24 inches of fish, which leaves 6 inches for an algae eater

OR......

cherry barbs- 6 fish-2inches each-12 inches
White skirt tetras-6 fish- 2inches each-12 inches
That is 24 which again leaves 6 for an algae eater

OR.......

cardinal tetra- 6 fish - 2 inches each- 12 inches
pair of angels, trio (mff) of red rainbows, and 3 spot gourami with 3 more cardinals would work as well.

Blub

Firecracker

Cool thanks guys. I will have to decide, which is hard, because they are all so pretty.

What about snails as algae eaters?

jri4

angels are awesome, didn't think about that!

MissMTS

I just got 4 white skirt tetras and I love them. They really are quite a beautiful and graceful fish. I would highly reccomend them Have fun stocking your tank. It's good that you are putting a lot of thought into it and reading up on information instead of just going to the LFS and coming home with impulse buys (that never turns out good). I wouldn't do gouramis with the tetras because they are semi-aggressive fish and will bully the peaceful tetras. Here are a couple suggestions of what I would do:

1 Angel (6 in)
5 White Skirts (10 in)
5 Cherry Barbs (10 in)
1 Bristlenose Catfish (6 in)
This puts you about 2 inches over the limit, but the inch per gallon rule is just a general guideline. As long as you keep up on your water changes you should be fine.

6 Tiger Barbs (18 inches)
2 Gouramis (10 inches)
1 SMALL Algae eater

Have fun setting up your tank!

MissMTS

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention something important.... Don't keep tiger barbs with platies. Tiger barbs are semi-aggressive and will harass the peaceful platies.

Blub

angelfish220

if kept in a big school as I said in my tank list their aggression will turn into playfulness. and newbeefishlover I wouldnt keep one angel they are actually a schooling fish and a buddy would be much appriciated. If they turn out to be a pair all the better! pond snails can be good algae eaters as long as your tank isnt planted because they will eat the plants instead of algae. Most people see pond snails as a pest but as long as you do 'population control' they work very well.

Drea

I have a 30 gal/tall, and as you can see in my aquarium info, what is in the tank. Also, I have to take exception to an earlier post about cories only being kept 6 or more...I have 3 and they do just fine. My tank is very harmonious

Barbrella

If you put two angelfish in, you would be very lucky to happen to get a compatible m/f pair. If they're not compatible there will be trouble.

A bristlenose pleco would be fine.

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore!

Bristlenose or Bushy Nose Plecos would be great for that size tank, or a school of 6 Otos. Plecos would work better if you get other fish that are bigger. The fish that you listed would all do best in groups of 6 or more. You have 30" (adult size) that can go in that tank.

Firecracker

My fiance really likes the Plecos. They have all kinds of varieties that I saw on Live Aquaria, some of which are smaller (5" or less). I will let him pick it out since he really likes the strange looking fish, and I prefer colorful ones

What about a Kuhli Loach?
http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummaga...kuhliloach.htm

COBettaCouple

Kuhli loaches are very cool and would do fine in a 30g tank.

I find the best source for plecos here in Denver is the fish club (colorado aquarium society) since you can get them from other aquarium keepers like us who've often raised them from eggs. We bought some beautiful albino bushy nose pleco babies last meeting.. unfortunately a heater breaking cooked their whole Q. tank.

Firecracker

I have seen some ads on Craigslist but was worried about the quality/health of getting fish from some random person.

I was going to check out the Fish Den on 44th, do they have a good selection of healthy fish?

I will check out the aquarium society too. Do they have a web site or anything?

COBettaCouple

http://www.coloradoaquarium.org/index.asp is the CAS website. The Feb meeting was just last Friday so the next meeting is the first friday in March. The big auction is coming up in April (2x a year). We bought a car-full of stuff at the last auction.

I've been in the Fish Den a couple times and I think overall they have healthier fish than the chain stores and more selection.