New Tank, Looking For Comments And Advice On My Fish Selection.

Ok, Tank cycle has stalled due to not having enough fish to create more ammonia than the plants are consuming so its more fish time    Only problem is, after researching and getting advice on my original selection, I'm not keen on a few of them now and want a bit more colour in the tank.

So, I have a few more to add to my list and a few removed:

Original List:
Tank Stock Levels:
8x Cherry Barbs (09/Sep/2018)
Current Community Fish Plan:
Neon Tetra
Spotted Headstander
Harlequin Rasbora
Honey Gourami
Kribensis or Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid

New List:
Neon Tetra
Honey Gourami
Kribensis or Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid
Golden Ram/Bolivian Ram
Zebra Danio
Gold Barb (will they mix with the Cherries?)
Dwarf Gourami - Assuming this is either/or with Honey or other type of Gourami? or can multiple types live together?

No need to apologise @Matt, the honesty is more than welcome so I don't make incorrect selections.
I'll take a trip to LFS today and see what they have and then make another list

I'm not keen on a few of them now and want a bit more colour in the tank.

I see you've struck off harlequin rasboras. Personally, I find these stand out colour-wise and on account of their patterning. What I've realised about fish is that it's not all about colour - I currently have a shoal of neon green coloured fish but they're actually more eye-catching on account of their behaviour and activity than their colour, a few silver coloured body fish who are eye-catching on account of their dorsal and caudal fin colouring, plus harlequin rasboras who are eye-catching on account of their unique patterning and colouring. Not sure if that helps at all but just thought I'd throw this factor into the mix.

Once you've been to the LFS and have seen all the fish in action, that'll probably help considerably in your choices.

Quote from: Bazza2000 on September 14, 2018, 11:27:27 PM

I'm not keen on a few of them now and want a bit more colour in the tank.

I see you've struck off harlequin rasboras. Personally, I find these stand out colour-wise and on account of their patterning. What I've realised about fish is that it's not all about colour - I currently have a shoal of neon green coloured fish but they're actually more eye-catching on account of their behaviour and activity than their colour, a few silver coloured body fish who are eye-catching on account of their dorsal and caudal fin colouring, plus harlequin rasboras who are eye-catching on account of their unique patterning and colouring. Not sure if that helps at all but just thought I'd throw this factor into the mix.

Once you've been to the LFS and have seen all the fish in action, that'll probably help considerably in your choices.

Thanks @fcmf I'll have a good look shortly at my LFS and see what they have and if they recommend anything, then come back and have a think before I go to purchase.

It would have been better to get 8 in total. Seriously Fish says they should be fine in your tank and water, and with smaller barbs [eg cherry barbs]. It does comment on their reputed fin nipping behaviour but adds that this should not happen with several of them, preferably 10 or more.
Presumably the fin nipping is part of their hierarchy that I mentioned in another post - they set up and maintain the hierarchy through nipping, and if there aren't enough of them they include other species as part of the shoal. In this case it is important to get the whole shoal at one go or half a shoal will sort out the hierarchy, then you get more and they have to sort it put all over again. Maybe another trip to the shop asap? Their need to set up a hierarchy outweighs the need to add small groups of fish.
Expect some nipping as they sort their hierarchy out.



When I was restocking my tank a few years ago I had two option plans - Asian or South American. Penguins were on my S American list. But I went with the Asian option.


Did you know there are two species of penguin tetra? Thayeria obliqua is the true penguin and Thayeria boehlkei is the false penguin. The one in shops is usually the false penguin. Their needs are the same, so it's just a matter of interest which ones you have. Look them up on Seriously Fish to see the difference 

Nice pic - and this species of fish are particularly interesting because of their nose-upwards swimming action, different from many fish.

Hey @Bazza2000
I had a trip to the local MA this morning, and guess what they've just got in........spotted headstanders.

I know from asking about ordering fish at Maidenhead Aquatics that they can only get fish on 'The List'. As the MA near Littlefish has some they are obviously on MA's list so if you have a branch near you, you could see if they'll get some in for you.
Or ask at an independent store. My favourite shop has ordered fish for me in the past.

But if a shop does order some for you wait at least a week before collecting them to make sure they are OK.

To be honest, I'm happy with the Penguin Tetras as they are similar (apart from the swimming style) looking.  Purchased 4 more today which gives me a shoal of 8 now and they all appear to be swimming around together so will wait until the hierarchy is sorted over the next few days and see how get on.

Yep, really like them now too.  I asked LFS about head standers last week and they said they get them every now and again when they are available but very rarely.