Selecting fish for tank

[ricoishere]

I am in the process of assembling a 47G tall (20"x18"x30"). I like angelfish, but I'm trying to decide what fish prefer traveling vertically in a tank rather than horizontally. I want rainbowfish, but most do best in horizontal. I have some polka dot loaches, and they play chasing each other up and down the walls of my other tank, so I might move them over. I like silver dollars but 2 in this tank might not be happy. The tank will be planted, compressed CO2, substrate undecided, will select best for choice of fish, background same same. Let’s see who gives best choices/selection. I’m thinking the smallest of rainbowfish (5-6 ea), 2 silver dollars, the 4 polka dots. I’ve also rescued a Black Banded Leporinus, which resides in my 47G Bow. Does not tear my plants, not chase other fish. About 5” or so.
So currently, this is what I have in mind:
2 ea Silver Dollars (6-7”) swim top of tank

5 ea Red rainbowfish - Glossolepis incisus (4-5”) Swim middle of tank

1 ea Black Banded Leporinus (7-8”) swim bottom of tank, will take years to get to be 8”.

Polka Dot Loaches, 3-4”

 

[shelbyzman]

The red rainbowfish would work fine.

The polka dot loaches would be good too, they are best kept in a group.

I would pass on the silver dollars since are schooling fish and fast swimmers...they would prefer a longer tank and should be kept in a group of at least 3, preferably more.

The black banded leporinus get close to 12" max. I would say that is probably too large for your tank.

 

[Freezekougra]

If you have money to spend I think discus would look good, although I've heard barebottom is better for better water quality?

 

[Thedaniokeeper]

Angels work fine in tall aquariums.

I would do:
4 Angels
5 Rainbowfish

Woot! 1000th post

 

[snyder810]

the tank doesn't seem long enough for such active swimmers like rainbows, especially the bigger species. a longer tank would be much better as they are very active, and will swim middle-to-top. if you really want rainbows look into the praecox, still nice color but smaller