Compatability on 120 gallon and 29 gallon?

Question

I have a well established 29 gallon tank (10 months) it has

1 angel
2 diamond tetra
1 rainbow shark
1 gold algea eater
2 corys.

I know the tetras and especially corys like to be in larger groups but I'm afraid to overload the tank. How many more should I add to make these two fish happier?



The 120 is ready for some fish (FIshless cycle 6 weeks). I originally wanted:

6 Cory cats
6 Angels
3 Bala Sharks
6 Serpae Tetra
3 Pictus Catfish
2 Rope Fish

I am now willing to give up the sharks :-( so I need something else instead. New most likely setup:

6 long fin rosy barbs
4 pictus cats
6 angels
1 albino shark or rainbow

Other possibilities: gouramis, cory cat, ropes, diamond tetra.

Any other recommendations. I'd really like something similar to the bala shark. I like silver and bright colors.

which would you get and in what order?

Thanks for your help!!!!

Sorry this question is so spread out... I meant to edit it and take out spacing but accidently hit submit and now I don't know how to change it.

Answer 1

For the 29 gallon, you're pretty well stocked as it is. I would get rid of the algae eater - as adults, they are mean SOBs and will sometimes suck the slime off angelfish or other flat-sided fish. I'd also get rid of the shark OR the angelfish - one of each in a 30 gallon tank is tight. You should get a few tetras and a few more cories, and end up with something like:
1 angelfish OR rainbow shark
8 diamond tetras
6 corydoras

Your 120 gallon setup sounds lovely! One other recommendation would be rainbow fish. They come in many colours but some are silver, and they are bright and showy. Not exactly like sharks, but pretty similar-looking.

As for the order, doesn't matter, really. I tend to start with the most "expendable" fish first. I mean I always cycle before I put fish in, but if there's something wrong with the tank I'd rather a few tetras die than my angelfish. In your case, I'd start with the barbs. A week or two later get 2 cats. A week later get 3 angels. Then 2 more cats, then 3 more angels, then the shark. More or less.

Answer 2

The guy ahead of me answered this question pretty well. I would save the angels until you are sure that the tank has cycled. Another suggestion is to use some of the tank water, a couple of plants, decorations, used filter media or even rock from the 29 to help jump start the cycle. When starting a new tank I always move some of my live plants and at least one used filter pad to the new tank.
Remember that the pictus cats require a special cloth style net, a standard net can catch their spines resulting in injury.
I would still keep an algae eater in this mix, another golden would be a good choice.
I would suggest that you check out Giant Danios (Danio aequipinnatus), they should get along well with your angels.
Depending on what species of angels you get another choice for your Bala issue is the Greater Scissortail (Rasbora caudimaculata). It is an active shoaler (and jumper so make sure your tank's top is well secured), easy to feed and isn't picky about water chemistry.
Of the gouramis, the pearl would be an excellent choice.

Answer 3

you seem to be wanting rope fish???
as they grow over 3" the rest of your fish will be a meal for them.
forget the barbs, unless you only keep only barbs with them (only) they are pretty but they will nip the fins of other fish until they die.
no matter what you get keep them all about the same size. you said tetra's, so don't get anything more than twice they're size.
if you have two tanks use both- one for community fish and one for the more aggressive.
angel's can also become nasty with smaller fish. if you go to a good shop and ask, they should tell you what will go in each tank.
if they have mixed tanks, see what tank has what fish in it and go with that.
I'm a former pet shop owner - in place of a

gold algae eater - add a couple of pleco's
you should be able to go with 100" of fish in the new tank..... will be really pretty.
see if you can get silver or baja sharks (any size) under 4"





0