Stocking idea for new tank

[Lucasalc46]

hey guys, I’m a new member and I was wondering what would be a good idea about stocking a new 20 gallon tank.

I was thinking a pair of apistogramma hogsloi or double red with a small school of pencil fish and maybe some bleeding heart tetra or snakeskin barbs. I was also thinking once the tank is established and stable to add 2-3 checkerboard cichlids.

Does this sound ok or am I over stocking?
Thanks!

 

[ButtNekkid]

Hi,

I think that you are pushing it with the checkerboard chiclids.

 

[Lucasalc46]

Hi,

I think that you are pushing it with the checkerboard chiclids.

Ok, pushing it in the sense of to many fish or they aren’t compatible?

Without the checkerboard do you think the rest is ok?

 

[Drayden Farci]

I'd go with only a pair of Apisto's or only Checkerboards, but not both unfortunately. The tetras sound fine, though I'd recommend Pencils over Bleeding Hearts or Barbs. Barbs can be rambunctious and cause stress to the Apisto's (or mess with any breeding), and BH can get rather large so you can't keep as many. Pencils are great for smaller tanks and for Apisto dithers.

 

[Lucasalc46]

Ok

I'd go with only a pair of Apisto's or only Checkerboards, but not both unfortunately. The tetras sound fine, though I'd recommend Pencils over Bleeding Hearts or Barbs. Barbs can be rambunctious and cause stress to the Apisto's (or mess with any breeding), and BH can get rather large so you can't keep as many. Pencils are great for smaller tanks and for Apisto dithers.

Ok thanks! Which tetras would you recommend with the apistos and Pencilfish

 

[Tlindsey]

hey guys, I’m a new member and I was wondering what would be a good idea about stocking a new 20 gallon tank.

I was thinking a pair of apistogramma hogsloi or double red with a small school of pencil fish and maybe some bleeding heart tetra or snakeskin barbs. I was also thinking once the tank is established and stable to add 2-3 checkerboard cichlids.

Does this sound ok or am I over stocking?
Thanks!

Welcome aboard

 

[Linus_Cello]

Ok

Ok thanks! Which tetras would you recommend with the apistos and Pencilfish

Hatchetfish. Think of most tetras as mini piranhas. Hatchetfish stay at the top so less predation of eggs/larva.

 

[Drayden Farci]

I've read Black Neon's are great for dithers, but I don't particularly fancy them myself so I rarely recommend them. If you're really trying to get fry from the parents, Pencilfish and Hatchets are the way to go. If you can pull the fry from the tank, any smaller tetra would be fine. Cardinals, Green Neons, Rummynose, etc. are all great.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I've read Black Neon's are great for dithers....

I used to have them with Apistogramma cacatuoides and it was successful.

The tetras are under-rated fish and colour up really well in Apistogramma tanks.

cheers Darrel