Badmans Tropical Fish Message Center: archive:
Want to add more fish
Linda
Friday,
August 03, 2001 - 09:39 am
Hi all, my 55 gal. tank has been up and running for about 2 months
now (it cycled about a month ago). I cycled the tank with
6 gold barbs, then slowly added 2 platties, 3 mollies, 1 gourami
and 2 swords. The tank, thanks to this site, is doing really good.
Fish get along. I would like to add a few more fish, but am afraid
I will disrupt the tank. Any ideas on what I should add? I have
added a little salt to the water. 20% of water is changed every
2 weeks, nitrites, nitrates and ammonia are checked weekly. ph is
7.8 and my water is really hard. This is a great site. THX
joycedonley
Friday,
August 03, 2001 - 07:52 pm
Linda I like your choices. You could add another pair of swords
or even go with 2 females to a mail.Which kind do you have? I loved
the green swordtails when I had them. Also what kind of gourami...there
are lots of varieties?
joycedonley
Friday,
August 03, 2001 - 07:58 pm
Sorry for the mispelled word...guess I am typing too fast.
Kick
Friday,
August 03, 2001 - 11:04 pm
I see you really have no bottom dwellers. How about some clown or
khuli loaches. They are really colorful and can add a lot to the
tank. Your pH is a little high, but acclimating them slowly by adding
some tank water to the bag about every 15 minutes for an hour before
releasing them into the tank should keep them safe. Pictus cats
may be another alternative for you. They are usually pretty peaceful,
swim freely and are really neat fish. They do like to have places
to hide as do the loaches so fake logs or cliffs can be added if
needed.
Linda
Saturday,
August 04, 2001 - 08:19 pm
I have a gold Gourami. The Sword is, and I forget the name, but
is red with black tail. To my surprise I found the Male Sword dead
this morning. I saw no problem yesterday. I changed 11 gallons of
water yesterday. I have salt in the water, will a Clown Loach be
OK?
Kick
Sunday,
August 05, 2001 - 12:08 am
Clown loaches are "scaleless" fish. You have to be careful
with the amount of salt that you use with them as it can "burn"
them. As far as the fish you have in the tank, they work great with
most, are very peaceful and really neat fish. If you are using minimal
salt, you will be okay, but if you are following the rule of l tablespoon
per 5 gallons of water, this is too much for them. I usually follow
the rule of about l/2 teasp per 10 gallons of water just to give
you an idea.
joycedonley
Sunday,
August 05, 2001 - 09:36 am
Linda I had some problems with the red male swords and my female
always outlived them. The green swords I had always seemed to be
hardier. I don't keep livebearers anymore, so go with Kicks
advice on your salt levels. The only salt I add are to my African
mbuna and that is a special kind just for them. If you just added
the male sword he may have been stressed by the move from the store
to your tank. Sometimes they may not have been in the LFS store
long either and all the different tank conditions are more than
they can adapt to.
Anonymous
Sunday,
August 05, 2001 - 11:08 pm
Throw in a school of panda cories. They are easily the cutest funniest
fish in my tank and do a great cleaning job.
Linda
Monday,
August 06, 2001 - 09:26 am
As for the salt I was going with the rule of 1 tablespoon for 5
gallons, but I will cut that back to 1/2 tsp. per 10 gallons. Thanks
everyone.
