Final Stocking Plan (Or at least i hope)

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Fishman1995

Superstar Fish
#1
May 11, 2010
1,341
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North Carolina
#1
Okay im going to go ahead and propose what i want for my last few fish, but im a lil worried yaw might not like it *laughingc Im wanting to get 1 or 2 more Bumblebee cat's and then what i want next is what im scared yaw are gonna say want work :eek: I plugged this into aqadvisor and i got no warnings soooooo id like to get a pair of Pictus Cat's *thumbsups
 

ryanoh

ryanoh

Large Fish
#2
Mar 22, 2010
858
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#2
Fishman1995 said:
i will not be getting anymore of those because they are territorial :/ Il just do something different maybe some cory's or maybe a small pleco species.
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I'd stick with this, because even if you keep adding caves you're going to run out of places for them to claim.
I know that I love my cories, so I suggest though, but pictus are cool as well. I only fish-sat one for a friend once while he moved, so I don't know what much about them. He had it in his community tank with his pleco and some other fish and there was never any problems. I was under the impression they grew to be huge, but I guess they actually stay around 5 inches.
 

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OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#3
Feb 27, 2009
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#3
I think you'll see issues with 6-7 bottom dwellers in a 20 gallon tank.

If you do get pictus, make sure you don't use a net with them. They can be injured (sometimes killed) if they get they get stuck to a net.
 

ryanoh

ryanoh

Large Fish
#4
Mar 22, 2010
858
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0
#4
OrangeCones said:
I think you'll see issues with 6-7 bottom dwellers in a 20 gallon tank.

If you do get pictus, make sure you don't use a net with them. They can be injured (sometimes killed) if they get they get stuck to a net.
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I strongly second this. I got my friend's pictus stuck in my net, and it was about 30 minutes before he could untangle himself. I tried to cut the net at first, but then I figured I was just going to hurt him if I kept messing with him and let him sort himself out.
 

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OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#5
Feb 27, 2009
4,395
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#5
When I kept a shoal of them years ago in a huge tank (90 gallons if I remember right), I made a net out of plastic to catch/move them when I was moving to a new house. I took the frame of a large net and used duct tape to tape on a large bag (one from a pet store they put a new fish in for you to take home). I'd put the net/bag thing on the bottom of the tank along one of the 'routes' they traveled in, and used a real net to 'herd' them into the bag. Takes patients...lots of it...but far better than getting tangled in a net. It is just instict for these guys to use those pokers to keep themselves safe (prevents something from pulling them out of a crevice and eating them).
 

bassbonediva

bassbonediva

Superstar Fish
#6
Oct 15, 2009
2,010
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0
Northern Arizona
#6
I wouldn't do any more SA bumblebee cats, to be honest. A 20gL isn't that big. I only have Grover in my 29gal (same footprint as the 20gL) and he's enough. Keep in mind they get to be 4" long.

Also, I'm one that's all for tank harmony, not just stocking with whatever catches your fancy. Your stocking is so disjointed that I'm not sure there will be any rhythm or flow to the tank. Nothing compliments anything else in the tank. For an example, look at my 29gal. I have tiger barbs (striped), an albino rainbow shark (soon to be leaving to go to a friend's 55gal), a SA bumblebee cat (striped) and peppered cories (soon going into the 55gal to be replaced by juliis in the 29gal...if I get the job I'm interviewing for on Monday). The tigers and SA bumblebee cat compliment each other, while the albino rainbow shark (will be replaced by a pair of kribs) creates a contrasting focal point.

I'd also be careful with all those bottom dwellers in a 20gL. Getting away with a massive amount of bottom dwellers in a tank like my 55gal is a completely different animal than trying to do it in a 20gL. The footprint of a 20gL is not exactly friendly to an over-abundance of bottom dwellers.

These are just my honest opinions, though. You can do whatever you want.
 

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littletankbigworld

Superstar Fish
#7
Aug 16, 2009
1,318
0
0
SW Pennsylvania
#7
I agree. I have a 29 gallon high with one cory (I'll soon be adding three more) and one upside-down catfish. While I'd like to have more buddies for my catfish (who will grow to be only four inches), it's very unrealistic. A 29 gallon high has the same footprint as a 20 gallon long and if I added more large catfish, even if they are only four inches, I would be taking away a lot of space from the fish I have. While bottom feeders are fun, it's good to be realistic.
 

kenny1tothe6

kenny1tothe6

Large Fish
#8
Apr 14, 2008
691
0
16
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#8
Fishman, My pictus ate 4 fully grown danios within 3 days in my old 29gal tank and ripped a male CT betta apart; plus he was *REALLY* active...so I wouldn't recommend them.

If you do decide risk keeping them tho; don't forget they die from aquarium salt...it not only took mine; but some of my friends' on different forums too...

They sorta...fall apart. :(

Off topic for a second: Bass, I feel special I'm the one you're sending the albino rainbow shark too. *twirlysmi :p
 

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Fishman1995

Superstar Fish
#12
May 11, 2010
1,341
0
0
North Carolina
#12
I took out my airator today (had to so i could make room for the heater) So i have an extra cave like space to spare. Also, i noticed today that both Rojo and Zippy were in the castle thingy which i find is odd since they fought the other day? Maybe they were just a lil shy when i first brought them home. I belive il moniter there behavior for the next 3-4 weeks and see how Lilly (My ram) is gonna turn out before i decide on what to add. I dont really wont anymore barbs or danio's. There schooling together now, id video it but it takes forever to get a video loaded on this forum. I actually want to get all of your guys opinions on what you'd do :D And when i say all of you i mean ALL of you. That means Bass, Mercedes etc. Let me know if you think i should add some Ghost Shrimp or maybe a group of tetra idc what it is, if you like it and you think it'd work feel free to recomend it :D
 

ryanoh

ryanoh

Large Fish
#13
Mar 22, 2010
858
0
0
#13
Semi-relevant question:

When you stock tanks and count up all your 'bottom-dwellers,' would you guys count rams in that too? I mean, I don't see why you wouldn't, but something about it just feels weird to me...
 

bassbonediva

bassbonediva

Superstar Fish
#15
Oct 15, 2009
2,010
0
0
Northern Arizona
#15
When I think of "bottom dwellers," I think of fish that scavenge the bottom of the tank and dig through the substrate (well, except for plecos/algae eaters/otos don't fit that, but I still count them that way). My ram sits NEAR the bottom, but he doesn't scavenge the bottom or dig through the substrate, so I don't count him as a bottom dweller. I guess more accurately, I consider cories, loaches, and catfish (including plecos, otos and algae eaters) bottom dwellers.

Anyway, I think letting things settle down for a while is a good idea, Fishman. You could do a school of tetras, just make sure that they're smaller (Von Rios, neons, embers...about that size) and only about 6 of them.
 

bassbonediva

bassbonediva

Superstar Fish
#19
Oct 15, 2009
2,010
0
0
Northern Arizona
#19
Hillstream loaches require A LOT of water movement in the tank. They also require cooler water than the other fish you have (your ram won't do well in temps under 78F...hillstreams top out at 75F).
Butterfly Hillstream Loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis) — Loaches Online

The cherry-finned loach will get too big, maxing out at 5". Their minimum recommended tank size is 50 gallons. Also, their maximum temperature requirement is at the bottom range of what your ram will be comfortable in.
Acanthocobitis rubidipinnis — Loaches Online

As far as the dwarf chain loaches go, these are probably your best bet. They only get to be 2.5" long. HOWEVER, they won't do well in groups of less than 5, so that's something to consider.
Dwarf Loach (Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki) — Loaches Online
 

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