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YOu could use the surface area rule with the type of fish that you have in there now. We need to determine the max stocking level for this tank. This rule does not apply to fish with large body mass like goldfish, angels, oscars, and other larger fish. It is effective for small, narrow bodied fish.

(Tank Length x Tank Width) divided by 12. Compare this number against the total number of adult sizedfish. This will tell you how many more inches you can work with.

I have not tried this in metrics yet. Once we know the max stocking level, we'll know how many fish to recommend and what kind.



Last edited by Cory_Di at 31-Oct-2004 09:23

Angels not good for a 29. Even a pair will become aggressive with other fish when they begin to lay eggs.

Understand that angels attain the size of at least 5 inches round. That doesn't count the long trailing fins. This can happen, with good water quality and food, in a good 1.5-2 years. They grow fast. Plus they bio-mass of an angel will drastically reduce the number of fish overall.

How about Angel Fish??? I know they are traditional and somewhat ordinary but they can be quite beatiful.

I agree on the Bristlenose Catfish (sometimes called a bushy-nose). Don't get any other Plec tho - they get too big for that size tank. A bristlenose is very distinct with it's well, bristlenose. Once again, this fish should not be added until there is visible algae. And, he should be given algae tablets every other day at the least, and veggies like zucchini. He will benefit from life forms that grow on any natural wood you have in the tank. The wood also serves as roughage for them. The same applies to otos, I find. Mine are always knawing on that wood, despite the lack of "teeth" that a bristelnose has.

Neons are more short-lived and imho, not the healthiest of fish (too much inbreeding, I suppose).

I love habrosus cories and I have a school of 6. In fact, you can get 8 habrosus for 4 jullii because they are about half the size or even slightly smaller. However, Pandas do best in schools of 10-12 or more. While smaller groups can be kept, it is risky. Personally, if you can get habrosus I would add them because the cute l'il buggers are active all day long.

In any event, you should target your nitrates to be 15ppm or less, especially with otos and habrosus. Also, high nitrates are believed to be a contributor to barbel erosion in cories (>40ppm).

Last edited by Cory_Di at 03-Nov-2004 08:53

I would have to agreee with Cory Di's plan.
In my experience, Marbled Hatchetfish are very peaceful, and dont bother gouramis or any other fish. My Betta seems to have a vendetta for them though and managed to kill 2 of mine before I noticed how vicious he was being. They were seperated. I have them in with Guppys and Platys now, and that seems to be working really well.
So heres what you could do:
6 Marbled Hatchets
2 Blue Gouramis (1M 1F)
6 Glowlight Tetras (or something similar- Lemons, Neons, Cardinals)
2 Male Guppys
Instead of 4 ottos, I would suggest a Bristlenose Pleco- fabulous Fish!!!
and then for the bottom I second the group of 4 smaller corys- Jullii, Panda, Aggassiz, Trilineatus, Hasbrosus.
That would look fabulous! And I agree, with good water changes and live plants and a good filter, easily maintainable.


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I disagree with elephant nose in a 29 gal. This is a specialty fish, imho and the tank needs to be planned out carefully. They also have unique feeding requirements that need to be clearly understood before taking them on.

Follow this link to our profile on the elephant nose:

[link=http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/elephantnose.xml]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/elephantnose.xml" style="COLOR: #C000C0[/link]

Note the size, feeding requirements, quantity per tank, and temperment.

actually im not sure would an elephant nose fit in a 29g

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''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

how about
6 hatchets
6 cories
8 glass catfish
1-2 elephant nose

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''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

(30 x 12) = 360

360/12 = 30.

It's easy when one of the dimensions is 12. You just keep the other number.

Now, I have a problem with hatchets and gouramis in the same tank for two reasons, but I've never kept either so maybe it is fine. My thought is that both are upper strata swimmers. It's nice to get fish that occupy all strata. One other concern is that the hatchets like good flowing water, whereas the gourami may like slow moving water. However, as long as you place the filter to one side of the tank, you can accomodate both. I don't know about the temperament of hatchets to know if there are compatibility issues. But, following on your initial list:

Lets bump the number of hatchets to 6 since they really need to be in a group. They'll be less shy in a full school.

6 hatchets x max size of 1.5 inches = 9

Rather than 3 gourami's, consider a pair (male and female):

2 gouramis x max size of 3.5 inches = 7

That's 16 inches so far.

Now, add some bottom feeders on cleanup like a school of 4 jullii cories

4 jullii cory x max size of 1.5 inches = 6

We're up to 22 inches, with another 8 to go.

You need something on algae cleanup and it would be nice to have midwater swimmers.

If we add 4 otos once the tank is fully aged, cycled and growing algae that would take us to 4 x 1.5 (another 6 inches).

That leaves us with only 2 inches left. YOu can slightly overstock A) If you were to add something like hornwort to the tank, and B) If you were to do weekly water changes of 20-25% with same temp water. I've definitely blown my max stock on my 20 long and everyone is fine. But, I'm diligent about weekly water changes, have live plants, and check my nitrates to make sure they aren't creeping above 20.

Lets assume we blow the max stock level and overstock so you can fill the tank out with mid-water swimmers. You don't want a fast moving fish like danios in a tank with a slow moving gourami, imho. It will make them nervous. However, if you were to add Glowlight Tetras, you would have an excellent mid-water swimmer that is relatively small. Cardinal tetras in your pH would be good too, but they can be sensitive. Georgeous fish tho!!!

Figure 6 Glow-Lights x 1.3 and we get 7.8.

Total stock on such a tank would be 35.8 inches. I think it is liveable.


Has this tank been occupied lately by anything living? If not, don't start yet because none of the fish in this list are "cycle hardy". The plants are a good plus. Since you are in the UK, you won't be able to get Bio-Spira. However, if you can use gravel from an established tank (put some in a new nylon sock if it is a different color), and if you can get an established piece of media to stick in your filter it will help.

I would overstock with two more fish: Two male guppies. Start with these (you don't want females because you'll have too many guppies before you can blink). You must be willing to test your water for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate as the tank cycles. And, use Cycle or another bacterial starter available in the UK. Once you are getting solid nitrate readings of 10ppm or more and zero ammonia or nitrites, you can then add your first school of fish or the two gouramis. Once again add bacterial starter and wait a few weeks, measuring your water. Add the cories next. The otos should be last and there should be algae. Consider quarantining new fish.

One bout of columnaris or ich can wipe out your precious stock. Ich can be avoided by paying strict attention to temperature. Respect the +/- 1F of temp change per 24 hours and you'll likely not deal with it, unless you buy from an ich-infected tank. Let us know if you are interested in quarantine techniques and we'll key you in.

Anyone know if hatchets can spook gouramis?

I think it would be a wonderful looking tank.

Oh - and killifish need to be in a species tank that focuses on killies, imho. Some species of killies only live a year.


Last edited by Cory_Di at 01-Nov-2004 20:06

30x12 divded by 12 =3.5

What would be the best comunty tank(no cichlids) i have a sand sunbtrat and bog wood,plants the idea i was thinking this.

5 marbl hatchets
3 dwarf guramies(blue)
and some other fish can any one help me?

tank is 29 gallons

no the ph at my lfs is 6,6.2,6.5,6.8,7, and so on so im ok what fish would you all go for?

Is the 6.4 pH common to fish stores in your area, or does the pH in your tank differ from local fish stores?

I'm just wondering if this is an older tank where the pH has declined over time.

As a sidenote, it's a good idea to ask the lfs to sample one of their own tanks and compare that number to yours prior to buying any fish. If there is more than a 0.2 difference, you can lose fish in a hurry if you just float the bag 20 minutes and release.


Last edited by Cory_Di at 30-Oct-2004 16:32

Would you guys say that i coule get killifish in there as well?

would pygmy corries be okey my tank has had loads of fish in it fefore like say 4 discus(babys 2" after that it had a 6" Grenn terror for 6 months(for a friend) tons of tetras ect.

im not realy wanting any tetras as sutch because iv got 10 rummie noises in my discus tank. I know this is going to sound wierd but iv never ever ever! had a guppy!!

would you say this would be okey?

6 hatchets
3 dwarf guamies(1m/2f)(maybe not for def yet)
6 pygmy corries
and other sudjestions please please please!


Malawi freak



Last edited by Malawi freak at 30-Oct-2004 16:11

I would add another hatchetfish to the ones you already want, to get a total of six. They like to hang out together, so the more the merrier.
After that, I'd add six cories of any species, and then add a school of six tetras. Rummynose tetras are really nice looking, but there are a multitude of tetras out there. Just pick and choose what 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."

KH is carbonate hardness. It is the water's ability to keep the pH stable as acids or bases are added. I think that's what it is.

sorry ment to ask what is kh?

30(long)13 (wide) 18(tall)
Ph6.4
nitrate 0
nitrite 0
amonia 0
kh??
gh 5

Could you tell us the size of the tank, and test results in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,ph,gh,kh, as this will help.