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My male paradise gourami was always nipping fins off the female and anything else in his way. When they managed to spawn he proceeded to try to kill everything in sight. I tried a 10g then moved him to a 29g where he still removed the eyes out of otos or any bottom feeder in the tank. The female chased my tetras all over the place and the otos just hid in the corner scared. The female was in the 55g. This may not be the normal for these fish as I know lots of people manage to keep them in a community tank but I would not reccommend them for that peaceful of a tank or a beginner.( I did make $50 selling fry after I finally just stuck them in a stock tank outside untill winter)

Labrakitty!
Finally, you did it, you found a winning combo!
Also,
I would say you could easily put a male and female pearl gourami- you could possibly have babies that way, and the males are so much prettier.
I still think you would be better off to stick to either panda corys or juli corys (likely corydoras trilineatus not juli).
Pandas are super cute anyway! Wish they had had some in the LFS here when I was buying my corys.
WTG, I think you have got it.


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Congrats on finally deciding on a tank that sounds great. Good luck in the future, labra.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 11-Dec-2004 22:46

Last edited by Lindy at 12-Dec-2004 03:29

if you still want another kind of gourami besides the lace gourami, you could look into sparkling (or croaking) gouramis they are tiny and flashy. I am not an expert (never kept them before) but they might be something to check out

Dwarf gouramis have better colour, they stay smaller and are very peaceful.
If it were my tank i would choose the dwarf gouramis over the lace gouramis.






Last edited by PJ at 11-Dec-2004 23:36

The lace are my favoutrite!
I have decided to cut the usd catfish because I will hardly ever see them they are always hiding!
could I have either:
2 lace gouramis
2 dwarf gouramis(replace the usd catfish)
should I make it 6 pandas?
6 rummy nose tetras
Would that be ok?
Or:
2 lace gouramis
6 panda corys
6 rummy nose tetras
5 glowlight tetras
Would that be ok?
Or even:
2 lace gourami
6 panda corys
10 rummy nose or cardinal tetras
What about that?
Does any one have any other ideas, which have lace ogurami and panda corys?

Thankyou so much for your help and patience, luckely my parents said I could get a bigger tank!

I would go with:
2 lace gouramis (they are more peaceful than the others you were considering)
7 panda cories
7 glo-light tetras (six or more is always best, and seven is better than six)
7 rummynose tetras (make sure you take great care in acclimating them, or it may turn out to be 3 rummynose tetras)

I'm glad you finally decided to cut the other gouramis, and the upside down cats. The tank plan I listed above has more colorful and compatible fish, too.

Last edited by sirbooks at 12-Dec-2004 15:46

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

that is a very good idea!!!! Thankyou! Would that be over stocked?

In a thirty gallon? Not at all. Tetras and cories produce little waste, and cories help to clean up leftover food, cutting down on tank pollution. In fact, you could probably add a dwarf cichlid or two... If you want.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I just found out that it is a 28 gallon actually, would it still be ok? Thankyou so much!!!!

Could I add a ram?

28 gallons is still okay, but then I would only add just one dwarf cichlid if you plan to. You don't want to push it for stocking.

Yup, rams are dwarf cichlids. They are peaceful, and like the same kind of water as your other (potential) fish. What kind of ram are you thinking of?

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I was thinking either a noraml ram or a bolivian ram. Are they available in australia?

How big do Blue rams get(the ones you showed me in your post) Are they normal rams?

I don't know what you mean by "normal" ram, as there are only two varieties. The Bolivian ram reaches five centimeters, as does the German ram. Both are similar in care and temperament, but the German ram is much less hardy while acclimating and needs special attention during that period. Otherwise, they are very similar fish. I bought a German ram a little over a month ago, and successfully acclimated it. He is now a happy little fellow, and he seems to like me.

Here is a photo I took, the first week I had him.
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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

It is georgous!!!! So the Bolivian is more hardy and better for beginners? Like me!!!! Are they readily available? In Australia? Would it be ok by itself and not get bullied? ARe they shy agressive or peacful by themselves? Thankyou for your patience, I think I will go with the scheme you suggested:
2 lace
1 bolivian ram(i think)
6 panda corys
7 rummy nose tetras
7 glo-light tetras
I have an AquaClear 200 hang on back, and at the moment I am trying to mature it a little bit in mu old tank.

Bolivian rams are much more hardy. They are peaceful, and will not bother any of the other fish in your proposed tank. However, they are tough enough to take care of themselves if their tankmates turn on them. One will be fine in a tank by itself, and be a good member of the community. Sometimes my German ram schools with the lemon tetras in my tank!

I have no idea as to their availability in Australia, though. I've never been there (though I'd love to visit), so I can't help you there.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

That's alright, I have never been to America either! I will see if any of my fish stores have them!
2 lace gouramis
1 bolivian ram
6 panda corys
7 rummy nose tetras
7 glo-light tetras

Tahnkyou for all your help!!! You have been so patient.
You are sure that the tank won't be overstocked? I love that tank idea!!!!! I will stock it very slowly!

Good to see progess has been made with stock lists!
I just popped in to tell you that bolivian and regular rams are available in Aus. I'm in Melbourne and got bolivians for $6 each.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

So am I! Where do you live? I live in KEW. i found Bolivivan Rams, but the fish store said they grow to 15cm. Is that true?

I would like to thank everybody who helped me stock my tank. I am amazed how much patience everyone has. I was wondering Sirbooks if it would be ok to have:
2 lace gouramis
4 panda corys
4 julii corys
7 glass bloodfin tetras
7 rummy nose tetras
Someone at the fish store said that I could fit one more group of fish in there. I would like a rainbow shark, but are they to aggressive and would that be overstocked with it? Would it nip or bully any of the other fish?
Thankyou so much for your help! I want this tank to be a success!!! I appreciate your help and patience!!!!

Labrakitty

I decided not to get the dwarf cichlid because the fish store said they get to 15cm and need to be in schools! Is this true?

no thats false, Bolivians grow to 7cm max.
Your LFS probably thought you were talking about something else like Keyholes.

I like you current set up as well, very nice

labrakitty, I live in Mooroolbark.
Which shop told you this? They dont grow that big.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Bolivan rams only grow to about seven centimeters, and they are not schooling fish. Whoever told you this doesn't know what they're talking about. A Bolivian ram should do just fine in your tank. I'd just stick with the setup mentioned above.

By the way, cories should be kept in groups of six or more, of the same species. Mixing them up isn't a good idea, because two groups of four will not be as active as one group of eight, or even of six. I'd stick with six or seven pandas.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

bolivian rams are very nice i'll see if i can find a pic of mine and update this post if i do, i'm probably going to be getting some panda's and the resaerch ive done says theyre the most entertaining corys and have a HUGE personality so i dnt think you are going to be disappointed

I think I will go with:
2 lace gouramis
4 panda corys
4 julii corys
1 bolivian ram
7 glass bloodfin tetras
7 rummy nose tetras
Would this be ok? I have a really expert book about catfsih that is written by a vet and expert fish keeper and it says that corys do not mind to have different types of corys in their school. Could I have instead of the bolivian ram maybe a keywhole cichlid or a flag cichlid? Or are they to big?

I go to Blackburn Aquarium, water world aquarium and Balwyn Aquarium, what aquariums do you go to? I think I will probobly go with:
2 lace g
4 panda corys
4 julii corys
7 glass bloodfin tetras
7 rummy nose tetras
Maybe 1 bolivian ram

Will this be ok?

What is your Bolivian Ram homed with? Is it happy? What do you feed it? How big is yo9ur tank?

I respectfully disagree on the cories. Experience and research has told me that they prefer to shoal with their own kind, and exclude other catfish. I've heard stories of two large Corydoras shoals being kept in the same tank. Occasionally, they would cross paths. Each species would swim right through the other's group, and stay in their own the whole time. I'm sure that there are other member who can back me up on this.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I have also read that they only need to be in groups of 4 and lots of people have does this and had no trouble. I have seen 4 Pandas at m LFS and they schooled together perfectly, and were perfectly happy. But I want to know what you think of the tank apart from that
2 Pearl gouramis
4 panda corys
4 julii corys
7 glass bloodfin tetras
7 rummy nose tetras
1 bolivian ram
Please reply as soon as possible as I will be going out soon.

Thankyou,
Labrakitty

I agree with books on this.
I highly recommend that you only keep one type of cory in your tank. Besides having one school of 7 would look far nicer then having two schools of 4.

Ideal schools numbers are 7+. They can be kept in schools of 4 but they much prefer the company of more cories. Having 7+ schools will make them more lively and more happy.

Also a keyhole would'nt be able to fit in that setup with all thoses other fish.

I have a book on catfish wich is written by an expert who has a DR. it says that they do not mind being with other species of corydoras and you can even has a school of 6 with one corydoras of each type. So I will be having:
2 lace gourmis
4 Panda Corys
4 Julii corys
6 or 7 glass bloodfin tetras
6 or 7 rummy nose tetras
maybe 1 bolivian ram
Would this be ok? What should the water parameters be? What should I feed them?

I have got a new idea for my tank. I want angels. Wold I be able to have:
2 lace gouramis
2 angels
4 panda corys
4 julii corys
7 rummy nose tetras
I suddenly want angels! I don't know why. Has anybody kept them? Are they easy? Can someone tell me about them? Tahnkyou!

Labrakitty

Or amybe:
1 angelfish
2 lace gouramis
4 panda corys
4 julii corys
8 rummy nose tetras
Thankyou for all your help. I appreciate it so much. Could you please just help me with this little thing!

Thankyou so much!

Labrakitty

Ummm...it sounds okay to me. I don't really know about the angel but I do know that they can be kept in 29 gallon tanks and above.

I would keep the tank stock as you had it with no angels. I just dont think the tank is big enough to house angels and gouramis.

Lindy
PS I go to Blackburn aquarium and Regency aquarium

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

I really want an angel. What about
1 lace gourami
1 angel
4 panda corys
4 julii corys
8 rummy nose tetras

P.S. Where is REgency Aquarium, I have also been to Fishy Business. BlackBurn is the best though.

I agree with Lindy, the angelfish won't work out as well as a ram. They (angelfish) don't always get along well gouramis, and they don't look as nice as Bolivian rams anyways, in my opinion.

This might well be the last thing I say on this subject, but I must really stress that cories should be kept in shoals of at least six. Two groups of four will be somewhat stressed, and less active than a single group of six. I totally disagree with your book's author. When was Just because someone said something in a book, and because they are a doctor, doesn't mean they are correct. Remember, the leading scientists way back when believed that the sun revolved around the Earth. Also, when was this written? Older aquarium books are out of date, and often incorrect in their information. The author's assertion that one each of six species of cories will shoal together is really only partially true, as well. They might shoal out of stress and fear, but groups of six are the way to go. I will happily debate with you, the book, and anyone who disagrees with me in a thread in Bottom Feeder Frenzy. If you wish to further discuss this, and clear it up, making a thread in there would be the way to go.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I think you are right, I will probobly get:
2 lace gouramis
8 panda corys
1 Bolivian ram
7 rummy nose tetras
7 could I have cardinals to add some colour? Or would glass bloodifns be better? Or glo-lgihts?
Would this list be ok? What should the water parameters be?

Tahnkyou so much!

Labrakitty

Sure, seven cardinal tetras would be great. They can sometimes be boisterous though, so check with other folks and make sure that they will leave the gouramis alone. You wouldn't want to have fish-fights breaking out. I like cards more than the other tetras you mentioned (more character, and they are more beautiful), so those would be preferable.

All of these fish prefer soft, acidic water. However, I'm not an advocate of changing water conditions around just to suit fish. I've got a South American fish tank of my own that is operating at a high pH, around 8.0. As long as there are not sudden fluctuations of water parameters, the fish should be fine in most conditions.

That stocking list looks good, I think you are all set!

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

So with:
2 lace gouramis
8 Panda corydoras
1 Bolivian Ram(there was one at the my lfs quite dull, but I will wait till they get a nice one in)
7 rummy nose tetras
7 cardinals
Ph: 7.0 (gouramis don't like acidic I don't think?)
Gh: about 8 dGh do you think?
Temp: 26c ?
The gouramis don't like acididc do they? Or would they be ok in 6.5-7.0 ? What do you think about the water parameters?

Tahnkyou!

labrakitty

would it be ok to have:
2 lace gouramis
8 pandas
8 rummy nose tetras
8 cardinal tetras
because the cardinals are only 3cm? Would that be overstocked?

Thankyou so much!

Labrakitty

Ops! and 1 Bolivian ram!

Last edited by labrakitty at 14-Dec-2004 17:37

bolivians arnt all that colorfull to begin with but they do have some. its prolly dull because its in a fish store. more often then not a little TLC ( tender lovin' care ) will bring out colors of fish from the store. they are stressed from a long trip in the back of a truck and then thrown into crowded tanks.

You are probobly right~

My final choice is:
2 lace gouramis
2 bolivian rams
6 panda corys
6 cardianl tetras
6 rummy nose tetras
Ph:6.8-7.0
Gh:8dGH
temp:24-26

Will this be ok? Lots of colour, lots of activity! I will feed them mornal flakes, algae flakes, frozen brine shrimp, and maybe live brine shrimp or black worms for a treat once a month, I will feed the corys and bolivian rams: shrimp pellets, algae wafers, and normal wafers, as well as the frozen and live food. Is that good?

Thankyou so much for all your help! You have led me to success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Labrakitty

Yeah, that sounds fine.

Best of Luck with your new tank





Last edited by PJ at 15-Dec-2004 15:09

Thankyou very much!

Labrakitty

P.S. You can still post messages and ideas becuase I am not buying the fish till the 21 of January. I have ordered the tank though. And got the filter already.

The tank sounds great. I dont think we should post anymore ideas or you'll get stuck again!

PS Regency is in Croydon

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Ok, good idea.

Tahnks to everybody that helped. My final choice:
2 lace oguramis
2 bolivian rams
6 panda corys
6 cardinals
6 rummy nose

Bye!!!

Labrakitty
P.S. Tahnks for telling me where regency is. To far away for me.

Last edited by labrakitty at 15-Dec-2004 15:45

It's been fun watching you go through the process of selecting a community tank. You mentioned soon getting your tank and then getting your fish on 1/21/05. In addition to learning about fish compatibility, I hope that you have put in some time learning about cycling a tank and how to add fish in. I've only been a hobbyist for a couple of years and am no expert but I do know that you should not put all of those fish into a new tank at once. First the tank needs to be cycled (quicker with Bio Spira or use the traditional, several-months fishless cycle process). Whichever way, you should start by introducing your most hardy fish (I don't know if you have super hardy fish in your groups but perhaps the Lace Gouramis) and every few weeks add another type. I think your Rams and Cardinals should be your last entries as I think they are the most tender to water problems. Good luck.

Thanks fo telling me, I already have a 10 gallon tank with fish, I have been running the filter for the big tank in the tank hoping to get a little bit of bacteria to help with the cycle. I think the rummy nose are actually the most delicate apart from the cardinals. And the pandas are also quite delicate. I am going to try and do a fihsless cycle, by buying and adding pure ammonia fromt he supermarket or somewhere. So I do not kill any fish.

Tahnks for the tip,

Labrakitty

Thankyou everybody, I have thought about maybe just 1 lace gourami and instead a pair of blue rams as well as the pair of Bolivian rams. Are they extremely hard to keep? Would it be to hard for the tank? Would they fight with the Bolivians or would the tank be to boisterous? What are your thoughts on Blue rams(german rams)?

Thanks!

Labrakitty

I dont think you should put 2 blue rams and 2 bolivian rams in the same tank of 30g. Bolivian Rams need quite a bit of territory in the bottom 1/3 of the tank, as do blue rams. If you had a tank 55g or so, you could easily do more rams.
You could do 1 blue ram and 1 bolivian ram if you wanted. That would give the fish adequate territory of their own.
Labrakitty, I dont know if youve mentioned this or not? Is this tank going to be planted?


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Yes, definitely, my tank is going to be heavily planted. So :
2 lace gouramis
1 bolvian ram
1 blue ram
6 corys
6 cardinal
6 rummy nose
So this would be ok?

Thanks!

LABRAKITTY

Yeah, that would probably work. Keep in mind though, German (blue) rams can be delicate. They should be acclimated in the same way as the rummynose tetras, or they may not survive the transition from store to home. Otherwise, they are very nice fish. I have one myself.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Can you tell me how to acclimatize them properly? what tank mates does your ram have? How big is your tank? So this would be ok if I acclimatize them properly?
2 lace gouramis
1 bolvian ram
1 german ram
6 panda corys
6 cardinal tetras
6 rummy nose tetras
Keep in mind that I am quarantining all the fish I get.

Thanks for your help!

Labrakitty

I don't know hwat happened there?

Labrakitty