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I know this is really cutting it close and I'm hoping i'll get some positive answers... you guys think this is overstocked for a 29G?

Guppies x 2
Phantom Tetra x 8
Betta x 1
Powder Blue Gourami x 2
Otocinclus x 3

Thats not too bad, but I would definatly loose the Betta. I can't imagine it getting along with the Gouramis very well at all. Maybe loose the Betta and the Guppies and get a small school of something else?

I'd choose either one betta (or 2 female bettas) or the gourami (pair only if you get M & F, else just one male). Personally I'd also lose the guppies and get a school of 6-8 dwarf corys (e.g. cory habrosus) instead.

So:
Betta or gourami (top)
Phantom Tetras (middle)
Dwarf corys (bottom)
Otos (all over)

-P

i'm trying to stay away from cories as i dont like them that much... what about:

Lemon Tetra x 6
Guppies x 2
Phantom Tetra x 6
Betta x 1
Otocinclus x 3

(i'm trying to get a little of every colour - lemon tets/yellow - guppies/blue - phantoms/black - betta/red)

I'll put the guppies in before the betta, and if the betta is harassing the guppies i could put the betta in a 10G, then replace the 29G with a powder blue/dwarf gourami? Tell me what you think!

FLEXJr,

Number wise this stocking list seems fine. Are you planning on a male or a female Betta?

I am no expert on Guppies or Bettas, but I think the harassment is more likely to occur the other way around, meaning your tetras will not be able to resist the allure of this beautiful finnage.

Maybe some more knowledged people can either second this opinion or inform us otherwise.

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Lemon Tetra x 6
Guppies x 2
Phantom Tetra x 6
Betta x 1
Otocinclus x 3

Now you have too many in the middle layer (lemon & phantom) IMO.
How about one or a pair of Bolivian Rams (see my avatar) instead of the lemons? They're yellowish and bottom dwellers. Lots of personality too.

-P

I'm planning on having the Betta a male. I really like the idea of rams, although i like the german rams better

German Ram x 4
Guppy x 2
Phantom Tetra x 8
Betta x 1
Otocinclus x 3

How bout this list? if it's overstocked i could always chop down the number of phantom's.

German Ram x 4
Guppy x 2
Phantom Tetra x 8
Betta x 1
Otocinclus x 3

How about
German Ram X 2
Phantom Tetra X 8
Betta X 1
Ottos X 3

You could probably fit the guppies, but bettas and guppies are not famous for getting on...

The betta will most likely nip the guppies, also, I have noticed that guppies seem to do better in trios. I would get a seperate home for the betta (a nice Mini Bow) and add a few more guppies. ^_^

Inky

you think the betta will bother the guppies even if i put the guppies in first?

I guess if that is the case then maybe i will just switch the betta for a flame/dwarf gourami although i really want the betta, but some people have betta's and guppies that get along on this site, i believe i read somewhere...

FLEXJr - is this your first time keeping fish? If so, I would recommend against German Rams. They're very sensitive fish and I cannot recommend them for beginners. Bolivian Rams on the other hand are much hardier.

As far as betta and guppies, it will really depend on the temperament of the betta you get. Some bettas will be fine in a community setting, others don't like it especially when they see other anabantid or a long-finned fish. Usually females are better in a community tank, but again it depends. See if you can find bettas that are kept in a community tank in the LFS - you have have better luck with them.

Good luck!

-P

In my experience, Bettas are really not community fish. Most tetras would be too nippy for the Betta, and the long fins of a guppy usually prove too tempting for Bettas. Your probably better of with the gouramis.

yes, this is my first tank and i'm already quite obsessed. Since there are so many conflicts with the betta, although i really wanted it i guess i'm going to go with the pair of dwarf gourami's. I also changed the 4 german rams to 2 bolivian rams.

Bolivian Ram x 2
Guppies x 2
Phantom Tetra x 8
Dwarf Gourami x 2
Otocinclus x 3

thanks guys, sound good? anymore suggestions? Inkling suggested that guppies do well in trio's rather than pairs, im just worried if i add another guppy its going to be way too full..

Sounds good to me. Just make sure you get a male and female dwarf gouramis, if you can find a female that is (almost impossible here). Two male dwarf gouramis may not get along with each other.

Two guppies should be ok IMO. You can add a third one later if you feel they're too nippy with each other. Oh, I'm assuming you will get two of the same sex guppies (probably male), right? For obvious reasons.

All the best with your first foray into fishkeeping!

-P