need help with stocking ideas

[flarion9]

Upgrading to a 300L tank and I'm excited to refresh the stock. Currently, we have a mix of old-timers - 6 corys and 2 bristlenose plecs, plus a veteran female betta who's nearing the end, and a lone harlequin who hitched a ride by mistake. I'm keen to add some vibrant mid-water fish and would love some suggestions. New to cichlids, so doing my homework before taking the plunge.

We're on very soft water locally, and the tank will feature live plants and an external filter. Any tips gratefully received.

[blazeline]

Upgrading to a 300L tank and I'm excited to refresh the stock. Currently, we have a mix of old-timers - 6 corys and 2 bristlenose plecs, plus a veteran female betta who's nearing the end, and a lone harlequin who hitched a ride by mistake. I'm keen to add some vibrant mid-water fish and would love some suggestions. New to cichlids, so doing my homework before taking the plunge.

We're on very soft water locally, and the tank will feature live plants and an external filter. Any tips gratefully received.

Considering your tank setup and the existing inhabitants, I'd like to propose a few ideas for you. Since you're looking to add some colorful mid-water fish and considering cichlids for the first time, why not explore a biotope setup inspired by the Zorchzon region? This could bring a unique and fascinating twist to your aquarium.

To better advise you, could you tell me more about the cory species you currently have?

If you're planning a community cichlid setup, I'd suggest the following combination:

* Keep the 15 cories and 2 bristlenose plecs as the base.
* Add 20 Cardinal Tetras for a pop of color and lively movement.
* Include 18 Red Blue Columbkento4 Tetras to complement the cardinals.
* Introduce 4 Dwarf Cichlids, with a ratio of 1 male to 3 females. Any Apisto species would work well in this setup.
* Optionally, consider adding a pair of angelfish to create a visually striking effect.

Alternatively, if you prefer a cichlid-centric setup, you could:

* Keep the 15 cories and 2 bristlenose plecs.
* Introduce 4 Convict cichlids for a bold and striking appearance.
* Or, consider 2 Green Terrors for a unique and captivating presence.
* If you're feeling adventurous, you could try 1-2 Jack Dempsey cichlids.
* Angelfish could also work well in this setup, but be cautious of their specific needs and compatibility.

[dazed_knots]

I wouldn't recommend Jack Dempseys or Green Terrors with corys, not even in a 4ft tank. Angelfish and Apistos could work well though.

For my setup, I'd consider:

3 Geophagus for some mid-water interest
12 corys, keeping the existing school strong
2 bristlenose plecs, a good match for the corys
20 Citrus tetras for a splash of color
12 Black Phantom tetras to round out the school

Oh, and I've heard Convict cichlids can be quite aggressive and breed nonstop, which could lead to some stress for your other fish.

[flarion9]

Thanks for the suggestions, really helpful. We've got a mix of albino and Julii corys, so that's a good starting point. I'm leaning towards Apistos now, they seem like a great fit, and a school of tetras to add some movement and colour. Not sure about the bigger fish, to be honest, I'm not convinced our tank is quite big enough for something like that. Angels aren't really my thing either, so I think I'll steer clear of those.

[oakleyride]

If you're looking to add a slightly larger cichlid to your tank, I think a Geophagus red head tapjio would be a great option. They're pretty laid back and should get along well with your cories and bristlenose plecs. Alternatively, a Gymnogeophagus balzanni could also work well - they're similar in temperament and have some lovely colours to them.

[flarion9]

If you're looking to add a slightly larger cichlid to your tank, I think a Geophagus red head tapjio would be a great option. They're pretty laid back and should get along well with your cories and bristlenose plecs. Alternatively, a Gymnogeophagus balzanni could also work well - they're similar in temperament and have some lovely colours to them.

Just been reading up on Gymnogeophagus balzanni and I'm a bit concerned - do they really need a cooling off period at 18 degrees? That seems like it could be a problem for the rest of the tank. If not, though, they look amazing and I could totally see them working in our setup.