Hi- New here and I have a few questions.

Hi, I have a 46gal bowfront that is currently cycling. I'm doing my research about what kind of fish I'd like to have. I have a few questions.

1. If I want to have schooling fish, how do I add enough to keep the stress down on the fish by insuring they have enough buddies to school with but not stress my system?

2. What final size info do you go by. A number of fish I have researched, I have gotten a variety of final adult sizes. How do I know how big my fish will grow?

3. I'd like to have angel fish. What I've read so far is to start with them young if you want to introduce other fish in with them and only two.

I'd really like a Gourami or as my husband calls them origami fish (easier to say and type ) and I was thinking of a few small schoolies. Anyone have any suggestions on smaller schoolers?

Thanks in Advance!
Catersun

 

welcome to Fishlore

Angels and Gourami generally aren't good tankmates. They're both territorial and usually conflict, although sometimes they get along.

Generally, 6 fish tends to be a good school size for most small fish.

The profiles here and at are the best that i've found.

 

see... that is what I mean....

I've read three of four sources that claimed they were ok-good with each other and then another 3 or 4 that claimed they wouldn't get along..... thanks for the link.

I know that 6 is a perfered number, what is the best way to get to six, I can't add six all at once. How long should additions be spaced out, and will the fish be overly stressed until I get a full 6 in the tank.

 

Agree I wouldn't put angels and gouramis together. They are liable to get hurt when the angels are spawning. Angels are fairly peaceful but like all cichlids get territorial and aggressive when spawning.

As for 6 schooling fish, you get them at the same time and put them all in at the same time. Fish that normally school, like tetras, are very stressed if there are only 1 or 2.

For angels, what I've done is to get 5 small ones, let them grow and wait for a pair to form, then you can either find homes for the others or take them back to the pet store, if it's a good one.

Angels like tall plants, with some open room for swimming, and at least one semi-vertical smooth stone/slate to lay their eggs on.

 

tetras and barbs r schooling fish but barbs r fin nippers and will not go along with angels, in case of schooling fish u have to keep at least 6 together but it is better to keep 8-12. dwarf gouramis will be fine with angels. pearl gouramis and blue gouramis r territorial. u can start with 6 small angels. Platies and mollies are some compatible tank mates for angels. but they r not schooling fish. I think 6 tetras will be fine with 6 small angels and u can try 2 dwarf gouramis if u like but I would recommend angels and platies together; they go along quite well, u have to do a lot of research before adding new fish......

Angels grow up to 6", they r a bit territorial and aggressive eaters, they have great personality and they r a little sensitive and need extra care, I have a lot of experience with angels, tried to breed them but it didn't work, bad luck, though I don't have angels at the moment, had to sell my 75 gallon.

Good Luck

 

yea, angels & gourami together depends a lot on personality, tank size, etc so it's not a certain thing either way.

you're right.. adding too many at once will possibly knock your tank into a mini-cycle with an ammonia spike. Adding 3 per week should keep things ok with the water chemistry.

I've read three of four sources that claimed they were ok-good with each other and then another 3 or 4 that claimed they wouldn't get along..... thanks for the link.

I know that 6 is a perfered number, what is the best way to get to six, I can't add six all at once. How long should additions be spaced out, and will the fish be overly stressed until I get a full 6 in the tank.

 

You're in good hands, Catersun. Just popping in to say hello and welcome!

 

Hi, I have a 46gal bowfront that is currently cycling. I'm doing my research about what kind of fish I'd like to have. I have a few questions.

1. If I want to have schooling fish, how do I add enough to keep the stress down on the fish by insuring they have enough buddies to school with but not stress my system?

2. What final size info do you go by. A number of fish I have researched, I have gotten a variety of final adult sizes. How do I know how big my fish will grow?

3. I'd like to have angel fish. What I've read so far is to start with them young if you want to introduce other fish in with them and only two.

I'd really like a Gourami or as my husband calls them origami fish (easier to say and type ) and I was thinking of a few small schoolies. Anyone have any suggestions on smaller schoolers?

Thanks in Advance!
Catersun

well for schooling fish
id get tets especially if you want gouramis and angels
danios are also good but they do get a little larger
dont get barbs because they are aggressive and will nip the fins of your fish
as for amount 4 is a good number of schoolers to start with
then you could get about two each time til you have the size of school you want

 

here is a 180 for you...

Well, i've gotten my water tested, and as it comes of out my well, it would be easiest to keep chiclids. Just have to harden it up a bit. So, I've done that and have been researching breeds. I've redecorated the tank to make it cave dweller friendly, and have been talking to the fish guru who keeps and breed a couple of chiclid tanks.

So, now, I need patience to let the tank cycle.

*waiting waiting waiting* OK is it done yet?!?! ;-)

If I get a used filter from a set tank, even though it is at a different pH, can I still use it to cycle my tank faster? Or should I just stick with the patience thing and wait it out?

My mom is changing out her filter the end of this week and I can use hers, but her pH is maintained much closer to 7 then my 8.4.

 

you should be able to put the filter media in your tank to help it cycle faster. The small amount of water that will get transferred over, shouldn't affect your overall pH.