What stock for a 450l (~120g) tank?

[majlo]

Hi,
I'm going to set up a new tank and am looking for some ideas on what to include in the stock. One thing is certain: clown loaches. I have 5 of them im my present tank and will buy 3 or 5 more.

So far I've come up with such a list (on top of what I have now, that is: 1 Bala Shark, 2 Dwarf Gouramis, 1 Syamese Algae Eater):

Giant Kuhli Loach
Beaufortia Kweichowensis, Chinese Sucker Loach (?)
Yoyo loach
Zebra loach
Harlequin Rasbora
Zebrafish
Clown Barb

I'm not certain about the number of each species.

Would you please share your thought, suggestions? What would you add, exclude?

One more thing, are these species suitable for Martin Thoene's manifold?

[starsplitter7]

Hi there,

I think the first thing I would do is get a few more Bala sharks, although they will outgrow the 120 with the clowns eventually. They are a schooling fish and do better in at least a small group.

I do not know what a giant kuhlie is. Is a zebra fish a zebra danio? If I got zebras, I would get the giant form. Pretty and make good dithers for the clowns. Zebra loaches are lovely.

I am not sure how the hillstream would do with the other fish. I would set up a separate 30 gallon for a group of hillstreams, gouramis and kuhlies. But the hills need a strong flow and the gouramis and kuhlies don't.

I think most of those fish would appreciate the flow (except kuhies and gouramies), but it would be good to have a few calm areas.

I guess that's something to think about.

[majlo]

Thanks for the input! I'll definitely think it over.
As for the Giant Kuhli Loach, I meant Pangio myersi, commonly known as Giant Kuhli: http://www.loaches.com/species-index/pangio-myersi

[starsplitter7]

I think the myersi are very nice, but I am pretty sure they would like a calmer tank. I would still ge tthem. I am a fan of multiple tanks.

[redshark1]

Why would you need more than Clown Loaches?

Many people keep them alone (a species tank).

A shoal of another species occupying the upper tankspace would look good though. If I did this I would try Scissortails. I have found that my original Boeseman's Rainbow shoal had the downside of the males doing a lot of fighting. I ended up with one male and 3 females which turned out to be a good ratio as the males are keen to breed.

I also keep a few colourful individuals including a Kissing Gourami, Blue Gourami, Red Swordtail, Lemon Bristlenose etc.

The difficulty with these individual species is they are less sociable than shoaling fish and spend time fighting and establishing a pecking order so you need to get a blend that is compatible and settles down peacefully. This takes time and experimentation.

[glenna]

man, Redshark, your tank is looking GOOD!

[Diana]

Your list:
Bala Shark
Dwarf Gouramis
Siamese Algae Eater
Giant Kuhli Loach
Beaufortia Kweichowensis, Chinese Sucker Loach (?)
Yoyo loach
Zebra loach
Harlequin Rasbora
Zebrafish
Clown Barb

How I see it: I think you have several tanks here.
You are currently asking about 120 gallons, so my comments are aimed at that tank.
Clown Loach- tank is too small for a proper group of adult Clown Loaches. Good size to get them going, though. Can you get a larger tank in a year or two? (not longer- with proper care they will outgrow your tank in two years maximum)
Bala Shark- Forget it. These fish need a lot more room, and a lot bigger a school.
Dwarf Gouramis-OK, though short lived and territorial, aggressive. One per tank is generally best, though in a large tank they might figure out that there is enough space for both.
Siamese Algae Eater-Good fish. They are one of the few shark shaped fish (among Rainbow, Red Tail, other relatives) that can be kept more than one in a tank, but you do not need to.
Giant Kuhli Loach-OK, but I would set up a separate tank for smaller fish. Social, get plenty
Beaufortia Kweichowensis, Chinese Sucker Loach (?)- Not with the rest of these, hillstream types are highly specialized and need a custom set up.
Yoyo loach- A better choice for this tank size than Clowns. They are carnivorous, and will eat smaller fish. Social, but not as much as some Loaches. Still, I would get half a dozen.
Zebra loach- Good for the 'smaller fish' tank. Social, get half a dozen minimum
Harlequin Rasbora- Will get eaten by the Yoyo Loaches, or the Bala Sharks. Good for the 'small fish' tank, though. Schooling. I would get a dozen minimum.
Zebrafish- Do you mean Zebra Danio? The regular fin style (not long fin) would be OK in the hillstream tank, as long as there was a place where they could get out of the main flow sometimes. They are highly active, and social. In smaller groups they tend to be a bit of a pest, and may nip other fish. Cooler water fish than most, and not a good match with Clown Loaches or Yoyo Loaches because of temperature preferences.
Clown Barb- Nice fish! They could live with either the Clown Loaches or the Yoyos, or they could be the largest fish in the 'smaller fish' tank. My Clown Barbs get along well with Botia kubotai and Rainbows, in a 4' long tank of about 50 gallons. There are some slightly smaller fish in this tank, too. I do not know if Clown Barbs eat plants. I have only Anubias in this tank. Mine do not school, but they are mostly in about the same area of the tank, more social than schooling.