Stocking Help Please?

[FISHnLAB]

Hi guys, I am currently just finishing off a build and am looking for a bit of help with stocking please.

The tank is a UNS 60U and it is heavily planted with what I would consider a medium amount of hardscape. It is filtered by a Fluval 207(with Aquario Neo V2 Skimmer on the outlet). It's current stocking includes...

8 x Malaysian Trumpet Snails(Melanoides Tuberculata)
6 x Peppered Cory's(Corydoras Paleatus)
12 x Lambchop Rasboras(Trigonostigma Espei)

I would like to add one more group of fish to finish it off but, all of the current stocking are still young so it is hard to tell how much room I have left. I'm also a rookie😁. AQ Advisor gives me a stocking level of 79% currently but, it looks lightly stocked.

Anyway, I am thinking of adding a group of either(one or the other) Chili Rasboras(Boraras Brigitte) or Galaxy Rasboras/CPD's(Danio margaritatus). I would like to do at least 6 but, as many as 12. What do you guys think? Is this doable? Will I end up having to transfer some to a different tank? Thanks for the help and let me know if you need anymore info or have any questions👍.

 

[plantnoobdude]

Hi guys, I am currently just finishing off a build and am looking for a bit of help with stocking please.

The tank is a UNS 60U and it is heavily planted with what I would consider a medium amount of hardscape. It is filtered by a Fluval 207(with Aquario Neo V2 Skimmer on the outlet). It's current stocking includes...

8 x Malaysian Trumpet Snails(Melanoides Tuberculata)
6 x Peppered Cory's(Corydoras Paleatus)
12 x Lambchop Rasboras(Trigonostigma Espei)

I would like to add one more group of fish to finish it off but, all of the current stocking are still young so it is hard to tell how much room I have left. I'm also a rookie😁. AQ Advisor gives me a stocking level of 79% currently but, it looks lightly stocked.

Anyway, I am thinking of adding a group of either(one or the other) Chili Rasboras(Boraras Brigitte) or Galaxy Rasboras/CPD's(Danio margaritatus). I would like to do at least 6 but, as many as 12. What do you guys think? Is this doable? Will I end up having to transfer some to a different tank? Thanks for the help and let me know if you need anymore info or have any questions👍.

Stocking levels in planted tanks, especially heavily planted tanks, are very lenient. You will be fine. Plant+bacteria nitrifcation is very efficient.

 

[seedoubleyou]

Personally I’d say your at the limit, don’t add anything else. I think 12 lamb chop rasbora will too be much for a 60cm tank and you’d of been better off with 12 of the slightly smaller species like the chilli or the Celestial. (That’s not to say you can’t have the Lambchop rasbora, they’ll likely be fine)

You could remove the Cory and replace for 6 otocinclus which might give more wiggle room for a larger school of fish.

OP summed it up nicely in another thread where he said most of the species we keep are shoaling fish and larger groups get the best out of them.

In my opinion 6 of anything isn’t really worth it, 15+ is far more ideal.


If it were me, I’d have 6 otocinclus and 12-15 CPD or 12-15 Chilli rasbora and that’s it.

 

[FISHnLAB]

Ok, mixed opinions lol. Now I'm really confused🤔...

Here are some pics of the tank in question. It isn't in the greatest shape right now(I have been doing too much again😔) and I also just uprooted and replanted the tops of the Limnophila Sessiliflora on the right as it was at the surface yesterday(man that crap grows fast lol)...




It looks understocked to me at this point but, the fish still have quite a ways to grow, especially the Peppered Cory's(I sure love these little guys). The Espeis are supposed to get to a maximum size of 30mm(says Serious Fish anyway). Maybe I should have just gotten 18 of them instead of 12? I'm not sure what to do. I could also add a centerpiece fish like a Honey Gourami or something? Or, just leave it be as it is already nice? If I am going to add more fish, I want to do it the next week or 2 as I want the tank to be finished so I can really get some consistency going. And, it will just be nice to finish a long planned and executed project(my first real low tech planted community tank build). Man its been fun and I am really enjoying the result...

 

[Tim1343]

I really like your tank it looks lovely, I’ll be happy if I can get mine anywhere near as nice.

 

[mort]

Just to confuse you further I think everyone is right. Lots of people would happily add more fish without even thinking about it and it would be fine but I do agree with the less is more approach as it tends to be more harmonious.

I'm happy with a tank where I can't always see many, or any fish, and I like the interaction you get from keeping a species on mass. @seedoubleyou sums it up above really. So you need to think what kind of tank you'd like, a really busy one or one that's more tranquil and perhaps pulls you in more.

Espei are really small fish when mature and nothing like the chunky but similar harlequins. A large group of them would be nice and calming but, and this is from someone that loves them, they arent the most interesting fish species out there.

 

[seedoubleyou]

Thanks for sharing the images, your sand bed consumes so much space that I definitely wouldn’t add any further fish to the tank.

 

[FISHnLAB]

I really like your tank it looks lovely, I’ll be happy if I can get mine anywhere near as nice.

Thank you for the kind words Tim. It has been quite the long winded project, with many ups and downs, and I'm quite happy with the way it all turned out. A lot of credit goes to the kind folks around here that have helped me out along the way, thank you🙏🍻. Now, the hard part of keeping it nice in the long term. I look forward to it's evolution. Good luck to you with your project too, I hope it goes smoothly and is fulfilling👍.

 

[LMuhlen]

The way I see it, from a water quality point of view you have plenty of room for more fish, and from a space point of view, you also have some room. It is more from an aesthetic point of view that you would have to weight if more fishes would improve it or not, and that is personal choice.

I would, however, look for fishes that don't compete with the existing ones for space. You have calm corys at the very bottom and agitated Rasboras at the very top. I would look for a calm mid-water species, if you want to add more fishes.

 

[FISHnLAB]

Just to confuse you further I think everyone is right.

I find that is the case a lot of the time in the hobby. There are so many different opinions and paths to follow in this hobby and many of them are successful. It makes it hard to learn but, I have learned to take in all of the suggestions and advice and then cut my own path so to speak.

Lots of people would happily add more fish without even thinking about it and it would be fine but I do agree with the less is more approach as it tends to be more harmonious.

Ok, good to know and I'll have to consider what I want in the end.

I'm happy with a tank where I can't always see many, or any fish, and I like the interaction you get from keeping a species on mass.

I like to see some of the fish all of the time but, am fine without seeing many. I too really like shoaling and schooling behaviour. I'm planning to do a large school of Rummynose in a 90 this spring with a minimal amount of hardscape and lots of plants(at least that's the loose plan now).

@seedoubleyou sums it up above really. So you need to think what kind of tank you'd like, a really busy one or one that's more tranquil and perhaps pulls you in more.

Honestly, I think the middle ground but, closer to the later. It is already quite interesting to watch this tank and I added so many micro details it gives you a ton to look at without even any wildlife in there.

Espei are really small fish when mature and nothing like the chunky but similar harlequins.

That is a large part of why I chose them. I was originally going to get Harlequins but, I wanted a larger school and preferred the much brighter colouring of the Espeis. I'm happy with my decision and am enjoying them, it's just a matter of I should add more of them or any other wildlife.

A large group of them would be nice and calming but, and this is from someone that loves them, they arent the most interesting fish species out there.

Ok,good to know. They are quite active but, tend to not shoal a ton at this point. Either way, they are beautiful(there colouring is so much more amazing in real life in a quality tank, they are so bright they almost glow) and not going anywhere, I'm going to give these little guys the best life I can.

Thanks for your help, this post has given me a lot to think about👍.

 

[FISHnLAB]

Thanks for sharing the images, your sand bed consumes so much space that I definitely wouldn’t add any further fish to the tank.

No problem, thanks for all of your help👍. Yes, with my older tanks I skimped on substrate so this one got 2.5 inches at the front tapering to 3.5 inches at the back. It has 3/4 - 1" of aquasoil infused with root tabs underneath it in coarse mesh bags too.

Edit: Less sand then I thought after measurement...

 

[FISHnLAB]

The way I see it, from a water quality point of view you have plenty of room for more fish, and from a space point of view, you also have some room. It is more from an aesthetic point of view that you would have to weight if more fishes would improve it or not, and that is personal choice.

Roger that, I have some thinking to do...

I would, however, look for fishes that don't compete with the existing ones for space. You have calm corys at the very bottom and agitated Rasboras at the very top. I would look for a calm mid-water species, if you want to add more fishes.

Any suggestions? If I decide to add more(I may not, I'm not sure yet) my current considerations are...

1. More Espeis(maybe 4 - 6)
2. Honey Gourami(just 1)
3. Chili Rasboras(maybe 6 - 8)
4. Galaxy Rasboras(maybe 6-8)

I will say that the Cory's and Espeis act a bit differently together then I thought in this tank. They are buddies and the Espeis even go down and hang out with the Cory's while they are eating at the bottom(zero aggression either way). They also kind of use the whole tank and often explore in the lower 1/3rd of the tank. The Cory's are crazily energetic(I expected them to be much less so) and aside from a mid day nap, they are diligently cleaning all day non stop from the sand at the bottom to up at the top in the floaters.

 

[mort]

Espei are really quiet ime, they don't thrash around the tank and are peacefullness personified. The only downside to them is they can be jumpy in the beginning. Chili's are quiet as well but like others, it's the more the merrier. Without trying to sway your opinion, more espei is the easiest way to go. Honey gourami are great but they are bigger fish and will make the tank look smaller but if your ok with that perspective it might work well for you.

The cories will likely quieten down as they age.

 

[plantnoobdude]

2. Honey Gourami(just 1)

Just note that honey gouramis are social creatures. I’d recommend 3-5. With a leaning towards more females to males.

At this point it’s not really a fish welfare issue but more aesthetics. So, really it is up to personal taste.

 

[FISHnLAB]

Espei are really quiet ime, they don't thrash around the tank and are peacefullness personified.

Yep, they just peacefully swim around for the most part. With their beautiful colouring and contrast, it is quite relaxing to watch indeed. That said, they still pretty much never stop and a rarely see them sit still(maybe in part due to the flow in my tank).

The only downside to them is they can be jumpy in the beginning.

Yes, they are a little jumpy, especially with people who aren't the one that feed them😁. Hopefully they will settle in and spend more time in the front as they get more comfortable. At first they were pretty jumpy around the Cory's too but, now they are totally mellow with them and even swim around together hunting for food after I feed.

Chili's are quiet as well but like others, it's the more the merrier.

Yes, I am definitely seeing that larger groups should be the target with a lot of fish.

Without trying to sway your opinion, more espei is the easiest way to go.

Yes, the local pet store I got them from is only a few blocks from my house. That said, new introductions are always a risk so maybe I should leave well enough alone...🤔

Honey gourami are great but they are bigger fish and will make the tank look smaller but if your ok with that perspective it might work well for you.

Yes, definitely more of a centerpiece option and I see how it could make the tank look smaller indeed(hadn't thought of that much, thanks).

The cories will likely quieten down as they age.

As with all of us😂. I have to say, these are my first Cory's and won't be my last. I love watching these little guys snarfle around. They are like little tank Labrador's lol. And, there colouring is quite nice, particularly their iridescence, I'm glad I went with the Peppereds(originally was going to get Pandas).

Thanks again for all of the help👍.

 

[FISHnLAB]

Just note that honey gouramis are social creatures. I’d recommend 3-5. With a leaning towards more females to males.

Copy that. A lot of people recommend them as a good candidate for a single center piece fish, that's why I was considering them along with their peaceful demeanor. I'm thinking they aren't right for this tank anyway...

At this point it’s not really a fish welfare issue but more aesthetics. So, really it is up to personal taste.

Roger that. I just like to hear the opinions of people more experienced then me as it helps me learn and come to a decision on a plan of action. I have course corrected many times due to the help of kind folks like you PND. Thanks once again for all of your valuable input👍.

 

[FISHnLAB]

Ok guys, I haven't added anything else and am leaning towards leaving the current fish stocking alone. I have started to consider some other inverts though to add to my cleanup crew. Do you think Amano Shrimp would be an ok fit with this tank? I'd like to add something else to my cleaning crew that specializes in cleaning my mosses and plants and am open to suggestions. Thanks for the help again guys👍.

 

[plantnoobdude]

Ok guys, I haven't added anything else and am leaning towards leaving the current fish stocking alone. I have started to consider some other inverts though to add to my cleanup crew. Do you think Amano Shrimp would be an ok fit with this tank? I'd like to add something else to my cleaning crew that specializes in cleaning my mosses and plants and am open to suggestions. Thanks for the help again guys👍.

Amano shrimp are very good, but they are bullies when it comes to smaller shrimp!

 

[FISHnLAB]

Amano shrimp are very good, but they are bullies when it comes to smaller shrimp!

Ok, this tank just has 12 Trigonostigma Espei, 6 Peppered Cory's, and a fleet of Malaysian Trumpet Snails. So, think they will be a good fit? Will they leave the Cory's alone? Any suggestions on numbers? Any other suggestions for cleaning my moss and plants in this setup? Thanks again PND👍.

 

[plantnoobdude]

Ok, this tank just has 12 Trigonostigma Espei, 6 Peppered Cory's, and a fleet of Malaysian Trumpet Snails. So, think they will be a good fit? Will they leave the Cory's alone? Any suggestions on numbers? Any other suggestions for cleaning my moss and plants in this setup? Thanks again PND👍

Yes they should be fine with corydoras. For keeping moss clean I'd blast them out with a turkey baster at Water change every week. That seems to do the trick. Amanos will help as well.