[ikongoni]

I was planning on creating a set up of a few juvenile angels and a shoal of cardinal tetra in a planted 125l.

Are they totally incompatible, will the angels snack on the cardinals..?

 

[DirtyBlackSocks]

Full grown cardinals should be fine, you might notice one missing from time to time but it's not like they're going to disappear overnight.

Keep the angels well fed and I don't see it being a problem.

 

[DeadFishFloating]

Pretty much agree with DirtyBlackSocks.

I don't where the cardinal tetras in England and the U.S. originate from, but most of the ones for sale down here grow close to 2 inches TL. That's one big cardinal tetra. Even the neons are much larger than what I remember as a kid. But many of our tetras are bred in S.E. Asia, and who knows what they're fed.

 

[ikongoni]

Thanks for the comments.

My planned stocking level in a planted 125l was:
4x juvenile angels
28x cardinal tetra

Is there anything else I can add to that without overcrowding or aggression problems?

 

[DeadFishFloating]

G'day ikongoni,

125 liters (app 32 gallons) isn't that large of a tank. I have a 142 liter tall tank , 24"x15"x24", and wouldn't consider keeping angels in there long term. What are the dimensions of your tank?

I would think 125 liters would be fine as a grow out tank, but you may want to move the angels to a larger tank before they mature, and definately before a pair forms.

 

[ikongoni]

You are right, its not a very big tank, but sadly its the biggest that I can have after being away from fishkeeping for a couple of years... :?

The only chance of getting a good 400l is to build an extension to the house, which has been quoted at £40,000, and that is a bit excessive as a way of sneaking a larger aquarium past the missus...

http://www.juwel-aquarium.de/en/rio.htm?cat=4
Rio 125
Volume: approx. 125 Litres
Measurements: 81 x 50 x 36 cm

So thats 32" long, 18" high and 14" depth. (if my math is correct)

I was hoping that as they grow and possibly pair bond that I could just keep the pair of Angels, with the Cardinals.

 

[ikongoni]

:fish:

 

[DeadFishFloating]

I was hoping that as they grow and possibly pair bond that I could just keep the pair of Angels.

ahhhh...the eternal fishie debate...what is the best size tank to keep a pair of angels in.

I find that I can easily suggest some one elses tank is not large enough for thier fish. But when it comes to me asking a question would x size tank be suitable for y fish, I have blinkers on and really do need others here to tell me what it's to small.

Oh, I'm not suggesting your tank will be too small for a pair of angels. I just think the tanks' dimensions are better suited for a SA dwarf cichlid community tank.

 

[ikongoni]

I just think the tanks' dimensions are better suited for a SA dwarf cichlid community tank.

A community? Can you elaborate on this ?

 

[DeadFishFloating]

I just think the tanks' dimensions are better suited for a SA dwarf cichlid community tank.

A community? Can you elaborate on this ?

Comunity tank based around something like a trio of apistos, with dwarf corydoras, otocinclus,
maybe a small panaque species or small growing bn pleco, a dozen tetras, and half a dozen hatchetfish.

Eco-Complete and sand substrate, moderately planted, and couple of nice pieces of driftwood.

 

[hollyfish2000]

That's a very nice SA community tank suggestion.

Another alternative -- get a tall tank. You won't be taking up more area, but it will provide more vertical space for the angels. I have a pair of angels, one blue ram, 10 rummynose tetras, 4 cories and a BN pleco is a 33 gallon tall, well planted. It's a lovely tank and it doesn't take up much floor space.

 

[ikongoni]

I have to confess that I really, really dislike Corydoras, they give me the shivers.

But I have gotten the message that Angels are perhaps not my best option with Cardinals, and as much as I would like a couple of nice angels, the Cardinals are an absolute must have.

So taking the advice into consideration I am now looking at:
18x Cardinal Tetra
6x Black Neon Tetra
3x Apisto Nijsseni
1x Queen Arabesque Plec

Amazon Sword
Micro Sword
Nymphea Zenerecki
Eusteralis Stellata

As this is my way back into the hobby after a couple of years absence I am very excited about getting started, so many thanks for the guidance...

 

[DeadFishFloating]

ikongoni that sounds like a nice setup. I would still include some otocinclus as algea eaters.

One point. L260 is a meat eater, not a vegetarian, like many plecos.

Have you checked out this site to see all the different species; http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/nu ... &genus_id=

And I suggest when you look to buy a pleco, check out this site; http://www.plecofanatics.com/
, much cheaper to buy off breeders and hobbiests than LFS.

 

[ikongoni]

One point. L260 is a meat eater, not a vegetarian, like many plecos..

**** it, I could have sworn that it said omnivore previously...

I may have to have a rethink of my L number, but part of the bribery used to get a new tank at all, was making a promise to my daughter that she could have a fancy pleco to replace the lovely Sabaji that she had to donate to the zoo last time...

 

[hollyfish2000]

Maybe your daughter would like a long-finned albino bristlenose pleco. I have one and he/she's wonderful!

 

[DeadFishFloating]

darn it, I could have sworn that it said omnivore previously...

I may have to have a rethink of my L number, but part of the bribery used to get a new tank at all, was making a promise to my daughter that she could have a fancy pleco to replace the lovely Sabaji that she had to donate to the zoo last time...

That's why I recommended a small panaque species or a bn.
I have 3 L104's in my small tank & 7 L397's in my large tank. I generally feed them cucumber once a week, sweet potato once a week, and vegie discs twice a week. I also know the nibble on the driftwood in the tank.

Some profiles to check out.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/sp ... ies_id=221
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/sp ... ies_id=706
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/sp ... ies_id=158
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/sp ... ies_id=233
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/sp ... ies_id=213

 

[ikongoni]

Wow - that is a really great selection..!!

I'd be delighted to home any of those L#s, could I squeeze two into a 125l?

Many thanks for going above and beyond the call of duty.... :thumb:

 

[DeadFishFloating]

Yeah, I think you could squeeze 2 Gold Stripe Panaque, L169 into your tank. I do think you may be better off with just the 18 cardinal tetras, and dropping the 6 black neon tetras.

Filtration will be the key though. I am unfamiliar with your tank and it's filtration system.

Here's some where to start for your search for a pair. http://www.plecofanatics.com/forum/show ... light=L169

 

[ikongoni]

This is a link to the tank, which I collected on Sunday... :thumb:
http://www.juwel-aquarium.de/en/rio.htm?cat=4

Additionallt, I will be adding a very large Bio-Filter this evening, and the Eco-Complete and plants will be added this weekend.
I don't think that I will have any problem with housing a good number of tetra in the upper regions but floor space looks pretty limited.

Whether or not I can add an L134 to a couple of Rams in the available space remains to be seen.. :?
It might be that I can only comfortably have one variety of dwarf Cichlid and no fancy Pleco....

Its only a small tank but I am still very excited about getting back into the hobby, but I do wish that I still had my lovely 400... :thumb:

 

[ikongoni]

Well my foam background is secured, and my Eco-complete is now in.
I have just been playing about with my grape roots for effect, and this is a photo of where the project is at this moment in time.

Hopefully I can get some plants at the weekend.
I have my plans all drawn up, and I can't wait to get started.