Can't Decide About Schooling Fish

First I have a 37 gal tank 30x 12.4x 22. What I originally liked where neon tetras bc they're bright. But it seems they aren't as hardy as I would like being my first tank. I like black neons and rummy nose tetras. I also possibly wanted a second schooling fish like harlequin rasbora.
I also was thinking 6 corys and 2 apisotgramma.
Ok my question first off is, are six of two different schoolers or 12 of one kind best?
Next question is neons, black neons, rummy, or harlequin ? Lol

 

12 of one kind is best for the fish, no question. What you prefer is another thing. Some people like the cohesive look of a single school, which is more visually striking and you will see more natural behaviours. Other people want variety. At the end of the day it's your tank and your choice

If you want hardy fish, you can't beat harlequin rasboras. Mine are lovely little pretty fish that have never given me any trouble. But then, I also have a school of neon tetras that have all survived without any trouble either, so IME with neons, it's all about getting good stock. Once they have settled into your tank they can be equally hardy. I don't have experience with the others.

In your size tank, you can comfortably do a school of 6 cories, a school of 10-12 rasboras or tetras, and a centrepiece type fish like the apistogramma. Over time you could add a second similarly sized school of tetras but I would wait until your tank is fully established to do this. (Or you can stick with a single school, to keep your tank lightly stocked, which is never a bad idea).

 

Also, which should I stock first? If that matters. I had a person tell my the corys will hold my cycle better and to start with them. Is that true?

 

I would start with the most hardy fish, so of the list, that would be harlequin rasboras. Then cories, and finally neons and apistogrammas. Personally after cycling I still stock slowly and would do half a school a week, testing parameters in between to make sure they are stable.

 

Ok so if I wanted to do 6 rasbora and then 6 more later would I need to keep my cycle at 2ppm in 24hrs or up it to 4ppm in 24hrs before I stock?

 

If you cycle with pure ammonia up to 4ppm, you can safely add a single school of the cories - IMO a lot more hardier than the rasboras - and moniter closely. Then build up stock of the other school - me personally, I would do rasboras next and add 6 after a quarantine period - and then after they quarentine, another 6 and then after that, your apisto.

 

If you cycle with pure ammonia up to 4ppm, you can safely add a single school of the cories - IMO a lot more hardier than the rasboras - and moniter closely. Then build up stock of the other school - me personally, I would do rasboras next and add 6 after a quarantine period - and then after they quarentine, another 6 and then after that, your apisto.

Do I need to quarantine the cories first since they're my first fish?

 

Do I need to quarantine the cories first since they're my first fish?

Nope, since the tank is empty and illnesses they may have you can just treat in tank.

 

Do I need to quarantine the cories first since they're my first fish?

Nope, since the tank is empty and illnesses they may have you can just treat in tank.

 

First I have a 37 gal tank 30x 12.4x 22. What I originally liked where neon tetras bc they're bright. But it seems they aren't as hardy as I would like being my first tank. I like black neons and rummy nose tetras. I also possibly wanted a second schooling fish like harlequin rasbora.
I also was thinking 6 corys and 2 apisotgramma.
Ok my question first off is, are six of two different schoolers or 12 of one kind best?
Next question is neons, black neons, rummy, or harlequin ? Lol

My 29 gal has 10 Harlequin Rasboras that are okay, just a little boring. They bubble surf occasionally but not much beyond that.

I have 6 Pygmy Cory's and 4 Dainty Cory's all of which hang out together. The Dainty's are really cute looking, cuter than the Pygmy's.

The most enjoyable fish I have, which came last and weren't planned at all initially are my Black KuhlI Loaches. I had 3 at first, not much action, they stayed hidden often. When I doubled that to 6, it's now a party all the time. They are silly, like to hang off stuff, dig around, dogpilie on each other, and push each other around. They truly are a joy to watch. Check them out goofing around on this dirftwood. You may give them a look.

 

I like neon’s but yes depending on were you get them you could expect 25% loss. I recently got 10 neons for a dollar a piece, figuring I would lose a few, nope all ten lives and brought my total numbers up to 15. I really only wanted about 10-12. Oh well. It’s a hit and miss game with Neon’s I also agree on starting off with the hardiest fish first. Neon should be your last group in and only after your tank is established and under control.

 

I agree with tjander. I (try to) keep around 12 rummy nose. Unfortunately the number fluctuates from around 15-7. And the same gos with cardinals. So definitely wait till everything else is sorted out.

 

My 29 gal has 10 Harlequin Rasboras that are okay, just a little boring. They bubble surf occasionally but not much beyond that.

I have 6 Pygmy Cory's and 4 Dainty Cory's all of which hang out together. The Dainty's are really cute looking, cuter than the Pygmy's.

The most enjoyable fish I have, which came last and weren't planned at all initially are my Black KuhlI Loaches. I had 3 at first, not much action, they stayed hidden often. When I doubled that to 6, it's now a party all the time. They are silly, like to hang off stuff, dig around, dogpilie on each other, and push each other around. They truly are a joy to watch. Check them out goofing around on this dirftwood. You may give them a look.

Awesome setup you’ve got! Hope you don’t mind me hijacking the thread a little to ask what kind of loaches those are and also ask if you think they’re appropriate for a 20 gallon long. They look like fun and I’m still thinking of ways to stock my tank.

 

Awesome setup you’ve got! Hope you don’t mind me hijacking the thread a little to ask what kind of loaches those are and also ask if you think they’re appropriate for a 20 gallon long. They look like fun and I’m still thinking of ways to stock my tank.

Thank you for the compliment.

They are called Black KuhlI Loaches and I get them from Petsmart for $1.99 each.

From what I understand they have low bioload. I'd think a 20 gal may be okay but mind your stock levels in general. I'd say a bare min would be 4, then see how shy or public they are. If shy, maybe up the count to 6 (the amount I have). They like coverage so a cave or some tubes they will appreciate. The like to dig so sand is ideal but they are doing just fine in my Eco Complete.

More details on them and my tank can be found on my thread. Barrow Family 29 Gal

Read more on the species here.

 

Thank you for the compliment.

They are called Black KuhlI Loaches and I get them from Petsmart for $1.99 each.

From what I understand they have low bioload. I'd think a 20 gal may be okay but mind your stock levels in general. I'd say a bare min would be 4, then see how shy or public they are. If shy, maybe up the count to 6 (the amount I have). They like coverage so a cave or some tubes they will appreciate. The like to dig so sand is ideal but they are doing just fine in my Eco Complete.

More details on them and my tank can be found on my thread. Barrow Family 29 Gal

Read more on the species here. Java Loach (Pangio oblonga) - The Free Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Encyclopedia Anyone Can Edit - The Aquarium Wiki

Thanks so much for the reply and all of the resources. I’ve actually been considering setting the striped khuli’s, so I’ll have to decide between these guys now. Tough choice!

I’ve seen some of your videos before. Nice to see a familiar channel. Definitely going to start watching more since I’m tiding the slow, never-ending pain of a fishless cycle with lots and lots of fish videos.

Also, it’s great to know you use eco-complete, as a good 75% of my tank is covered in that and loaches are growing on me.

 

The black ones seem to be a lot more active in comparison to the striped kuhlies, however in large schools of 10 or more, they both can ve extremely active.

 

Ok so if I wanted to do 6 rasbora and then 6 more later would I need to keep my cycle at 2ppm in 24hrs or up it to 4ppm in 24hrs before I stock?

I did a fishless cycle and added all my fish at once without an ammonia blip. If you choose sensitive fish, add them later. The more fish you want to add at once, the higher I’d load your ammonia. I did 3 ppm and added 21 fish at once.