34 Gal Tank Suggestions.

[madhippoz]

So after a little while of neglect I've revamped my 34 gallon freshwater tank. Current fish are:

- 4 x Black skirt Tetra
- 4 x Corydoras
- 1 x Bumblebee catfish

I'd like to add to the tank without overstocking. I want to round the group of Blackskirts to 6 by adding another 2.

I then wanted to consider adding another peaceful schooling fish. Some of my initial thoughts were:
- 6 x Red Eye Tetra
- Angels (not sure how many I could house in this tank setup)
- Rainbows
- Either blue or dwarf neon Gourami's

Thoughts? I'm familiar with Tetra's and Gourami's as I've kept them before. But don't know much about Rainbows and Angels.

 

[lauraf]

I'm kinda bullish on fish stocking, so IMO you could put two angels in that tank, no problem, as well as a couple of dwarf gouramis, if you monitor the behaviour between the species carefully, and have lots of plants. If you can, get the angels when they aren't way bigger than the dwarf gouramis - they can grow up together that way. Adding a bunch of tetras might be a problem for the angels if the tetras are really nippy, tho'.

 

[bassbonediva]

Having angels really depends on how tall your tank is. They like A LOT of vertical space and usually aren't recommended for anything under 40gals. If your tank is tall enough, you would only be able to do one pair as they get to be 6" long (nose to tail). Actually, with a pair of angels in a 35gal tank (couldn't find 34gal on AqAdvisor), you'd be at 83% stocking capacity and you'd be in danger of the angels outgrowing the tank. So, I would say scratch angels off your list unless you're willing to get rid of them once they start outgrowing your tank.

I'm lost on the rainbows...you mean rainbow sharks? They're another one that gets to be 6" and would eventually outgrow your tank.

Have you played with AqAdvisor at all? It's a great resource when trying to decide what to stock and how many will work. AqAdvisor - Intelligent Freshwater Tropical Fish Aquarium Stocking Calculator and Aquarium Tank/Filter Advisor

 

[lauraf]

Fair enough, Bassbonediva - my 39g is two feet tall, and when I had four angels at under a year old, along with my pearl gouramis, they were all cool. When these four angels paired off into two breeding couples, it was a different situation.
But you are probably right - when my angels get fully grown, they will be magnificent but very, very large. I don't think I'll be able to keep both of them, particularly as a breeding pair . . . . (BTW, sorry to blab about my issues here and hijack the thread).

So, @madhippoz - think again about whether you really want angels vs. gouramis . . . . . But if you are willing to trade your fish in to your LFS at some point, I would still try angels and dwarf gouramis together, if they are young-ish - I would have a hard time choosing between the species myself, and have enjoyed keeping the two together previously
And I am also confused about what 'rainbows' means . . . .

 

[Newman]

he means Rainbowfish. the schooling Alkaline water-loving fish such as Boesmani Rainbows.(I can never spell that right)