Best combinations of existing fish - 3 tanks

jenratico

jenratico

Jen
Apr 8, 2008
176
0
0
Denver, CO
I have 3 tanks, (55g, 10g, 6g) and I want to make sure I get my existing fish into the best possible groupings in them based on their PH and temperature needs. So based on fish profiles, this is what I have come up with - if any of you more experienced fish keepers see anything that strikes you as a problem please let me know!

55g planted medium lighting, no CO2 - PH goal 7.3, temp range 73-77
Neon tetra school
Black neon tetra school
Rosy barb school
2 Dojo (weather) loaches
3 panda cories
1 mystery snail
{I'd like to add Julii coryies too}

10g (in process of planting - low light) - PH goal 7.0, temp goal 78-80
3 balloon mollies (2f, 1m)
1 skunk botia (I'd like to add a friend)

6g (low light plants) PH goal 6.5-7.0, temp range 79-86
1 male Betta "Speed"
4 Harlequin rasboras
{suggestions for bottom of tank?}

Thanks!!
 
Depending on how many are in the "schools", I'd move the loach to the 55, and the harlies to the 10. Most loaches are happiest in tanks of 20g+, usually larger. Before you get any other species of cories, I'd get at least 2-3 more pandas. You look pretty near done in the 55 anyway.

If you want something in the 6g with the betta, cherry shrimp are nice and would fit in a tank that small. A couple male endlers would work if the betta didn't attack them.
 
I added the numbers of my current "schools" on the fist post.

The skunk botia seems to need much higher temps from the profiles I read than everyone else in the 55g - the top of their range falls just below the low point on his, so I wasn't sure how they would do together. If he moved to the 55 should I fill out the panda's and maybe put a few julii cories as a bottom fish in the 10g?

I thought the betta would need some company in the 6g - is there a better choice than the rasboras? I could move the neons there......

Thanks for the help Dwarf Puffers.
 
You cannot mix the skunk loaches with any of your fish, Jen. These are very aggressive fish and can rip through several of your fish. They are best kept with other aggressive loach species such as the tiger loaches and Yasuhikotakia modesta.
 
ummm. . . . there's no need to be messing with the pH on any of the tanks. all of those fish will be fine with anything in the 7's.
 
Lupin said:
You cannot mix the skunk loaches with any of your fish, Jen. These are very aggressive fish and can rip through several of your fish. They are best kept with other aggressive loach species such as the tiger loaches and Yasuhikotakia modesta.
Click to expand...

I talked to my LFS and they said they would take him. It's sad, because I've had him for several years, but I just don't want to have any more mean fish. I also got rid of a leporinus (he was 4yrs old - and big!) recently - the legacies of poor fish advice - I did ask questions, but not to the right people I guess. I'm thankful I've found this forum to work with now.
 
jm1212 said:
dojo loaches should not be with tropical fish. temperatures that tropical fish require are to high for dojos. plus dojos get pretty big and need to be in groups. kuhlis are a tropical, smaller alternative
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The temp minimum planned is 73 and a majority of the fish mentioned are subtropical meaning they can tolerate lower temps more than tropical species do. If kept at 74-76, it is hardly an issue. The issue here is the dojos attempting to eat the neons. I should have mentioned this earlier. I would consider replacing the dojos with Garra flavatra but at the expense of providing powerful currents and extra oxygenation by vigorous surface movements although if located in another part of the tank, the tetras will appreciate it better.
 
jm1212 said:
dojo loaches should not be with tropical fish. temperatures that tropical fish require are to high for dojos. plus dojos get pretty big and need to be in groups. kuhlis are a tropical, smaller alternative
Click to expand...

I was told that the 2 dojos would do well together. The profiles I read did say they were colder water fish, but that they could be kept into the mid 70's. So I figured low 70's should work for everyone in the 55g. Is it your experience that low 70's would be hard on the dojo's?
 
I've taken the skunk botia into the LFS. I sure hope they can find a good home for him, where he can have friends and be in a big tank where he won't "shred" anyone.

I traded him for two more panda cories - so there are now 5. I may add more later but want to add slowly to avoid a mini spike.

Here's one of the new guys.

47b8db28b3127ccec447438f1d4a00000066100AaNWjhw0aNGIPbz4G
 
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