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[[Image:RH Fish Tank-394.jpg|thumb|right|a {{L|220}} Planted Community Tank]]
[[Image:RH Fish Tank-394.jpg|thumb|right|a {{L|220}} Planted Community Tank]]
== Stocking a Peaceful Freshwater Community Tank ==
== Stocking a Peaceful Freshwater Community Tank ==
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[[Image:Neontetra657.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Neon Tetra]]]]
{{ambox
{{ambox
|text = Remember, none of these fish will be able to go into your tank until it's completed [[The Nitrogen Cycle]]! If you are unsure of how to set up your tank read through our [[:Beginning Fishkeeping|Guides]].
|text = Remember, none of these fish will be able to go into your tank until it's completed [[The Nitrogen Cycle]]! If you are unsure of how to set up your tank read through our [[:Beginning Fishkeeping|Guides]].
|type= content
|type= content
}}
}}
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[[Image:Neontetra657.jpg|thumb|right|[[Neon Tetra]]]]
The choices below are arranged by tank size, obviously those listed for the smaller tank would be suitable for the larger tanks and appreciate more space, but '''not''' vice versa! All tanks should have completed the '''[[nitrogen cycle]]''' beforehand and all fish listed are tropical fish so require a heated tank.
The choices below are arranged by tank size, obviously those listed for the smaller tank would be suitable for the larger tanks and appreciate more space, but '''not''' vice versa! All tanks should have completed the '''[[nitrogen cycle]]''' beforehand and all fish listed are tropical fish so require a heated tank.
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== {{gal|15}} plus ==
== {{gal|15}} plus ==
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[[Image:Harlequin rasbora-9780.jpg|thumb|right|[[Harlequin Rasbora]]]]
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[[Image:Harlequin rasbora-9780.jpg|thumb
|200px
|right|[[Harlequin Rasbora]]]]
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[[Image:Otocinclus mariae.jpg|thumb|right|[[Otocinclus mariae]]]]
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[[Image:Otocinclus mariae.jpg|thumb
|200px
|right|[[Otocinclus mariae]]]]
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[[Image:Male Guppy.jpg|right|thumb|[[Guppy]]]]
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[[Image:Male Guppy.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Guppy]]]]
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[[Image:Threadfinrainbowfish1-2113.jpg|right|thumb|[[Threadfin Rainbowfish]]]]
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[[Image:Threadfinrainbowfish1-2113.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Threadfin Rainbowfish]]]]
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[[Image:Male Cherry Barb.jpg|right|thumb|[[Cherry Barb]]]]
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[[Image:Male Cherry Barb.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Cherry Barb]]]]
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[[Image:Carnegiella strigata.jpg|right|thumb|[[Marbled Hatchetfish]]]]
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[[Image:Carnegiella strigata.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Marbled Hatchetfish]]]]
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[[Image:Powder Blue Gourami1.jpg|right|thumb|[[Dwarf Gourami]]]]
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[[Image:Powder Blue Gourami1.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Dwarf Gourami]]]]
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[[Image:Pseudomugil furcatus6456.jpg|right|thumb|[[Forktail Rainbowfish]]]]
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[[Image:Pseudomugil furcatus6456.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Forktail Rainbowfish]]]]
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[[Image:Albino fisch.jpg|thumb|right|Albino [[Bronze Corydora]]]]
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[[Image:Albino fisch.jpg|thumb|right
|200px
|Albino [[Bronze Corydora]]]]
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[[Image:Corydoras sterbai 01.jpg|right|thumb|[[Sterbai Cory]]]]
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[[Image:Corydoras sterbai 01.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Sterbai Cory]]]]
*'''[[Neon Tetra]]''' (''Paracheirodon innesi'')
*'''[[Neon Tetra]]''' (''Paracheirodon innesi'')
Neons are peaceful and common shoaling fish. In order to have a healthy group they should be kept in a minimum of 6-8 individuals. Smaller groups will be shy and withdrawn and may turn to nipping at tank mates. In a {{gal|15|20}} a maximum of 8-10 should be considered. They are mid to top dwelling fish and kept with other peaceful fish will not shoal tightly together and will spread throughout the tank.
Neons are peaceful and common shoaling fish. In order to have a healthy group they should be kept in a minimum of 6-8 individuals. Smaller groups will be shy and withdrawn and may turn to nipping at tank mates. In a {{gal|15|20}} a maximum of 8-10 should be considered. They are mid to top dwelling fish and kept with other peaceful fish will not shoal tightly together and will spread throughout the tank.
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== {{gal|20}} plus ==
== {{gal|20}} plus ==
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[[Image:Zebra DanioSwiming.jpeg|thumb|right|[[Zebra Danio]]]]
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[[Image:Zebra DanioSwiming.jpeg|thumb
|200px
|right|[[Zebra Danio]]]]
*'''[[Zebra Danio]]''' (''Brachydanio rerio'')
*'''[[Zebra Danio]]''' (''Brachydanio rerio'')
Zebra Danios (and their cousins the [[Leopard Danio]]) are often marketed for much smaller tanks, these very active fish really need as much lateral swimming space as possible. They should be kept in groups of 6 or more, smaller groups may result in them turning to fin nipping and bothering tank mates. They are mid-top dwelling and shouldn't be kept with slower moving mid-top dwellers like [[Gourami]]s as their active nature could be bothersome. Zebras are ideal for a highly-active community.
Zebra Danios (and their cousins the [[Leopard Danio]]) are often marketed for much smaller tanks, these very active fish really need as much lateral swimming space as possible. They should be kept in groups of 6 or more, smaller groups may result in them turning to fin nipping and bothering tank mates. They are mid-top dwelling and shouldn't be kept with slower moving mid-top dwellers like [[Gourami]]s as their active nature could be bothersome. Zebras are ideal for a highly-active community.
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[[Image:Melanotaenia praecox1.jpg|right|thumb|[[Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish]]]]
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[[Image:Melanotaenia praecox1.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish]]]]
*'''[[Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish]]''' (''Melanotaenia praecox'')
*'''[[Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish]]''' (''Melanotaenia praecox'')
An active mid-swimming peaceful shoaling fish. Keep this Rainbowfish in groups, more females than males. They should not bother tank mates, but do not keep with very long-finned fish. They are otherwise entirely peaceful and a good alternative to Tetras and Rasboras. Do well in planted tanks.
An active mid-swimming peaceful shoaling fish. Keep this Rainbowfish in groups, more females than males. They should not bother tank mates, but do not keep with very long-finned fish. They are otherwise entirely peaceful and a good alternative to Tetras and Rasboras. Do well in planted tanks.
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[[Image:Hemigrammus rhodostomus-9859.jpg|right|thumb|[[Rummynose Tetra]]]]
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[[Image:Hemigrammus rhodostomus-9859.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Rummynose Tetra]]]]
*'''[[Rummynose Tetra]]''' (''Hemigrammus rhodostomus'')
*'''[[Rummynose Tetra]]''' (''Hemigrammus rhodostomus'')
A larger Tetra that must be in groups of 5-6 or more. Will mostly occupy the mid-bottom levels of the tank and can be sensitive to water quality, so regular water changes and mature tanks are a must. An otherwise peaceful active fish provided it's kept in a good shoal.
A larger Tetra that must be in groups of 5-6 or more. Will mostly occupy the mid-bottom levels of the tank and can be sensitive to water quality, so regular water changes and mature tanks are a must. An otherwise peaceful active fish provided it's kept in a good shoal.
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== {{gal|30}} plus ==
== {{gal|30}} plus ==
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[[Image:Brochis splendens345.jpg|right|thumb|[[Emerald Catfish]]]]
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[[Image:Brochis splendens345.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Emerald Catfish]]]]
*'''[[Upside-Down Catfish]]''' (''Synodontis nigriventris'')
*'''[[Upside-Down Catfish]]''' (''Synodontis nigriventris'')
This is one of the smaller and most well known Synodontis. It is an active mid-bottom dweller that will characteristically swim entirely upside down. They are sociable fish and must be kept in groups of 4-5 or more, in smaller groups they may be nippy and one will become dominant. They should not be kept with smaller fish but will be peaceful towards other larger peaceful community fish. They are active swimmers that require plenty of space as well as hiding places.
This is one of the smaller and most well known Synodontis. It is an active mid-bottom dweller that will characteristically swim entirely upside down. They are sociable fish and must be kept in groups of 4-5 or more, in smaller groups they may be nippy and one will become dominant. They should not be kept with smaller fish but will be peaceful towards other larger peaceful community fish. They are active swimmers that require plenty of space as well as hiding places.
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[[Image:Phenacogrammus interruptus.jpg|right|thumb|[[Congo Tetra]]]]
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[[Image:Phenacogrammus interruptus.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Congo Tetra]]]]
*'''[[Emerald Catfish]]''' (''Brochis splendens'')
*'''[[Emerald Catfish]]''' (''Brochis splendens'')
The Brochis Catfish looks like a giant [[Bronze Cory]]. They get to around {{in|4}} (sometimes a little larger), and like the [[Bronze Cory]] are happiest in schools of their own kind. They will not bother any tank mates and keep to themselves. Due to their larger size, they do better in larger tanks than the [[Bronze Cory]].
The Brochis Catfish looks like a giant [[Bronze Cory]]. They get to around {{in|4}} (sometimes a little larger), and like the [[Bronze Cory]] are happiest in schools of their own kind. They will not bother any tank mates and keep to themselves. Due to their larger size, they do better in larger tanks than the [[Bronze Cory]].
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== {{gal|55}} plus ==
== {{gal|55}} plus ==
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[[Image:Chromobotia macracanthus2.jpg|right|thumb|[[Clown Loach]]]]
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[[Image:Chromobotia macracanthus2.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Clown Loach]]]]
*'''[[Clown Loach]]''' (''Chromobotia macracanthus'')
*'''[[Clown Loach]]''' (''Chromobotia macracanthus'')
These are popular large bottom-dwelling fish. They are very large growing, at around {{in|12}} and a final tank size of over {{gal|100}} should be considered. Despite their large size, they grow slowly, it will take several years for them to reach their full potential, so can be kept in smaller housing of around {{gal|55}}, but this should only be temporary. Like most common Loaches, they are very sociable and must be kept in groups of at least 3-4 or more. They are bottom dwelling and ideally should be the only bottom-dwellers. They may eat small fry but are otherwise oblivious to tank mates as long as they have company of their own kind.
These are popular large bottom-dwelling fish. They are very large growing, at around {{in|12}} and a final tank size of over {{gal|100}} should be considered. Despite their large size, they grow slowly, it will take several years for them to reach their full potential, so can be kept in smaller housing of around {{gal|55}}, but this should only be temporary. Like most common Loaches, they are very sociable and must be kept in groups of at least 3-4 or more. They are bottom dwelling and ideally should be the only bottom-dwellers. They may eat small fry but are otherwise oblivious to tank mates as long as they have company of their own kind.
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[[Image:Melanotaenia boesemani.jpg|right|thumb|[[Boesemani Rainbowfish]]]]
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[[Image:Melanotaenia boesemani.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Boesemani Rainbowfish]]]]
*'''[[Boesemani Rainbowfish]]''' (''Melanotaenia boesemani'')
*'''[[Boesemani Rainbowfish]]''' (''Melanotaenia boesemani'')
A very colourful larger Rainbowfish. These are sociable fish and are best in groups, with more females per males, but keeping several males will result in the best colour displays. They shouldn't be kept with much smaller fish nor with very long-finned fish. They are active mid-swimming fish that do well in planted tanks with open swimming space.
A very colourful larger Rainbowfish. These are sociable fish and are best in groups, with more females per males, but keeping several males will result in the best colour displays. They shouldn't be kept with much smaller fish nor with very long-finned fish. They are active mid-swimming fish that do well in planted tanks with open swimming space.
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[[Image:Glossolepis incisus4729.jpg|right|thumb|[[Red Rainbowfish]]]]
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[[Image:Glossolepis incisus4729.jpg|right
|200px
|thumb|[[Red Rainbowfish]]]]
*'''[[Red Rainbowfish]]''' (''Glossolepis incisus'')
*'''[[Red Rainbowfish]]''' (''Glossolepis incisus'')
Another large growing Rainbowfish. The Red Rainbowfish is exactly that, it is a vibrant bright red all over and adults are surprisingly chunky fish too. They are sociable and like other Rainbows are best kept in groups with more females than males, the males will display to one another. They are peaceful but are very active fish, so do not keep with shy slow swimming fish as they may get scared into the shadows with these fish buzzing around the tank. Their bright colour looks fantastic against a green planted backdrop.
Another large growing Rainbowfish. The Red Rainbowfish is exactly that, it is a vibrant bright red all over and adults are surprisingly chunky fish too. They are sociable and like other Rainbows are best kept in groups with more females than males, the males will display to one another. They are peaceful but are very active fish, so do not keep with shy slow swimming fish as they may get scared into the shadows with these fish buzzing around the tank. Their bright colour looks fantastic against a green planted backdrop.
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*'''[[Common Pleco]]''' (''Hypostomus plecostomus'')/(''Pterygoplichthys pardalis'')/(''Hypostomus punctatus'')
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*'''[[Common Pleco]]''' (''Hypostomus plecostomus'')/(''Pterygoplichthys pardalis'')/(''Hypostomus punctatus
'')/(''Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus
'')
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The Common Pleco is technically a common name for
3
very similar looking species, only an experienced eye can differentiate them. This fish is often sold as a "cleaner" for smaller tanks, trouble is it grows over {{in|12}} and is therefore only suitable for very well filtered larger tanks. They are generally oblivious to tank mates and will busy themselves grazing on bogwood. They are, however, territorial towards other Plecos so only one Pleco to a tank! They should be supplemented with blanched vegetables and sinking algae wafers, they may also nibble on other meaty foods like bloodworm that's been put in for tank mates. Do not keep with very small fish or fish that may fin nip. They are primarily nocturnal so need plenty of gloomy hiding places and will be most active and be more likely to feed at night. Planted tanks don't do well with Plecos, they will uproot delicate plants.
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The Common Pleco is technically a common name for
several
very similar looking species, only an experienced eye can differentiate them. This fish is often sold as a "cleaner" for smaller tanks, trouble is it grows over {{in|12}} and is therefore only suitable for very well filtered larger tanks. They are generally oblivious to tank mates and will busy themselves grazing on bogwood. They are, however, territorial towards other Plecos so only one Pleco to a tank!
They should be supplemented with blanched vegetables and sinking algae wafers, they may also nibble on other meaty foods like bloodworm that's been put in for tank mates. Do not keep with very small fish or fish that may fin nip. They are primarily nocturnal so need plenty of gloomy hiding places and will be most active and be more likely to feed at night. Planted tanks don't do well with Plecos, they will uproot delicate plants.
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*'''[[Sailfin Pleco]]''' (''Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps'')
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The Sailfin Pleco is another very large growing but commonly sold Pleco. It can get around {{in|18|24}} so needs a very large and very very well filtered tank with some equally sized hiding places. They usually just keep to themselves though and won't bother tank mates, not often a fan of their own species however.
They should be supplemented with blanched vegetables and sinking algae wafers, they may also nibble on other meaty foods like bloodworm that's been put in for tank mates. Do not keep with very small fish or fish that may fin nip. They are primarily nocturnal so need plenty of gloomy hiding places and will be most active and be more likely to feed at night. Planted tanks don't do well with Plecos, they will uproot delicate plants.
[[Category:Stocking Suggestions]]
[[Category:Stocking Suggestions]]