29 Gallon Ideas

[AmigoSpageeto]

For my 29 gallon aquarium I am thinking about getting angelfish. From what I have been told it would be best to get just 1 for my 29 so that it won't be aggressive (compared to a mating pair). I'm not sure what to put with the angelfish.
I was thinking 1 angelfish, 9 cherry barbs (3 males and 6 females), 8 venezuelan corydoras, 1 bristlenose pleco (rescued this guy from a friend and it needs to stay)
I realize that the catfishes will needs a lot of food and I am prepared for that. Bottom dwellers are my favorite types of fish so I have no problem putting more into them. I am not sure if the cherry barbs will work with the angelfish. If anybody can help me out there or have other ideas or concerns please let me know. Excited to hopefully soon be able to set this thing up.

 

[AmigoSpageeto]

Forgot to mention I already have this tank setup and cycled I just want to change out some of the driftwood, but waiting to do so till I know what fish I am going to get. It is a heavily planted aquarium.

 

[kattiq]

I think that stocking looks okay, I have heard that barbs could be fin nippers but also pretty peaceful too. You could always look into cardinal tetras, harlequin rasorbas or some rainbow fish too if interested in some other options?
And I don't think cories need a ton more food than any other fish, just make sure they actually can get to the fish. I have to drop their wafers in the back of my tank so my guppies don't steal it. haha

 

[flyinGourami]

I've been told angels in a 29 gallon is cramped, I would probably skip them especially considering their behavior and size. Otherwise it looks pretty good to me. Honestly IMO you could add another cory or two. I do not think corys need lots of food, its mostly just feeding them an appropriate diet that they can get before the other fish eat it lol.

 

[AmigoSpageeto]

I've been told angels in a 29 gallon is cramped, I would probably skip them especially considering their behavior and size. Otherwise it looks pretty good to me. Honestly IMO you could add another cory or two. I do not think corys need lots of food, its mostly just feeding them an appropriate diet that they can get before the other fish eat it lol.

Okay, no on the angelfish. Do you know of any other fish that could be a centerpiece fish for this tank?

 

[AmnScott]

I personally think an angelfish in a 29 gallon is fine. It's right on the brim of being too small, but many would agree that you could do it. Angelfish like tall tanks, and a 29 gallon is relatively tall.

 

[flyinGourami]

Okay, no on the angelfish. Do you know of any other fish that could be a centerpiece fish for this tank?

Not 100% sure, but I *think you could do honey gourami or Bolivian rams. Someone may have a better idea on that though.

I personally think an angelfish in a 29 gallon is fine. It's right on the brim of being too small, but many would agree that you could do it. Angelfish like tall tanks, and a 29 gallon is relatively tall.

I thought this too... However now that I know more i do think its too small, unless its temporary for breeding, fry, quarantine... Stuff like that. A big reason why a 29 is too small(again, this is from others as I have never kept angels) is because of this fish's behavior. They are actually pretty social and generally do good in groups, but a 29 won't cut it if they were to get a bit "angry" or get into a little fight or two.

However, I do see what you mean. Just my opinion too

 

[AmnScott]

Not 100% sure, but I *think you could do honey gourami or Bolivian rams. Someone may have a better idea on that though.

I thought this too... However now that I know more i do think its too small, unless its temporary for breeding, fry, quarantine... Stuff like that. A big reason why a 29 is too small(again, this is from others as I have never kept angels) is because of this fish's behavior. They are actually pretty social and generally do good in groups, but a 29 won't cut it if they were to get a bit "angry" or get into a little fight or two.

However, I do see what you mean. Just my opinion too

True. I have never kept an angelfish in a 29. I think 29 gallons is right on the cusp of being considered "too small" by many which is why there is such a variance of opinion. Ideally, I would say angels are better off in 40+ gallon tanks. Just my 2 cents though. They can get to be 6 inches long.

 

[Rev]

You can definitely do one Angel in a 29g. more than that gets iffy. I haven't done it, but the consensus I've seen is that a single angel in a 29g community is just fine. More than that can run into issues of aggression. Obviously, the bigger the tank the better, but 29g is about the minimum for an Angel.

Personally I think an angel as the centerpiece with a good school of corydoras cruising around would be nice. Maybe a school of a bit of a larger, rounder tetra like a black/white skirt tetra would be good too. I'd just add the angel last to help with any possible aggression issues that could arise. I know a lot of more naturally aggressive fish are not a fan of new fish being added after them, but are okay if the fish are there before them.

 

[AmigoSpageeto]

What do you guys think about: 2 bolivian rams (a pair), 15 cardinal tetras, 10 venezuelan cories, 1 bristlenose pleco.

I like the cardinals better than the cherry barbs, and these are all from south america so I can make the water softer and slightly more acidic ph to best accommodate them. I will be sure to add some hides for the rams to be able to "escape." Also with the heavy plant coverage if there are any problems then fish can go and hide. Although not sure if this will be too many fish for a 29 gallon?

 

[AmigoSpageeto]

You can definitely do one Angel in a 29g. more than that gets iffy. I haven't done it, but the consensus I've seen is that a single angel in a 29g community is just fine. More than that can run into issues of aggression. Obviously, the bigger the tank the better, but 29g is about the minimum for an Angel.

Personally I think an angel as the centerpiece with a good school of corydoras cruising around would be nice. Maybe a school of a bit of a larger, rounder tetra like a black/white skirt tetra would be good too. I'd just add the angel last to help with any possible aggression issues that could arise. I know a lot of more naturally aggressive fish are not a fan of new fish being added after them, but are okay if the fish are there before them.

I think I would rather just wait and down the road do an angelfish tank the best I can. Something like a 55 or bigger with several angelfish. Thank you for the great info

 

[Sankalpakc]

Okay, no on the angelfish. Do you know of any other fish that could be a centerpiece fish for this tank?

Flyingourami mentioned this above so I’ll second it: honey gourami and/or Bolivian rams. Honeys are best kept in a small grouping (2-3) for your size tank. Bolivians can be kept alone or in pairs. Currently I have both fish in my 37, which is the same dimensions as your 29 just 6 inches higher. Both are great fish and do well in community tanks.