Stocking Options for 40G Cube Tank (24" x 20" x 20")

[SinSilla]

Hello,

obviously this is my first post here so...hello everyone!

I'm not that long into the aquarium hobby but i am in the middle of the process of converting my 40G Cube Reef Tank into a freshwater system.

The tank is still dry and im evaluating stocking options right now. Originally this was going to be Iwagumi inspired planted tank with a school of tetras.

The thought of a medium/large single specicment tank is appealing to me so i wanted to ask you guys if there are any interesting options. Plants are no necessity, i do like the look of rocky tanks.

The tanks dimensions are: 600mm x 500mm x 500mm (24" x 20" x 20").

I'm looking for colorful fish, no bottom dwellers. Something like Jack Dempseys or Green Terror, which both seem to grow too large for the limited swimming room i could offer them.

Maybe you guys can think of other interesting options! Thanks in advance!

Philipp

 

[convict360]

You could do some rams, angels, even discus (arguably) perhaps? Would make for a great centre piece tank with wood in the middle, or even consider some Africans?

 

[duanes]

As far as new world cichlids go...
Check out the South American cichlids in the genus Apistogramma, they are colorful, and will fit comfortably in that size tank.
The only central American I can think of, that stay small enough for that size tank, is Amatitlania nanoltueus, and agree that that both JDs and GTs get too large for your cube
nanoluteus

In the African category many shell dwellers are available, and from Asia Etroplus canarensus (below)

 

[Gourami Swami]

Panamius Panamensis is one that I'm keeping now, a very pretty fish. They interactive as well, at least in that they beg for food constantly. I think a male in a 40 gallon would be fine.
Heres one of my fish, I think this is a subdom male

I would recommend the genus amatitlania. Pretty much any fish in that genus could live solo in a 40, in my opinion. Like the nanoluteus that Duanes suggested. Lots of species, none get larger than 6" on average. So they make good choices.

 

[SinSilla]

Thanks for the good suggestions so far! What about (Electric) Blue Acara? Would a pair of these be okay or already crossing a reasonable common border?

 

[Backfromthedead]

Thanks for the good suggestions so far! What about (Electric) Blue Acara? Would a pair of these be okay or already crossing a reasonable common border?

yeah a pair of blue acaras would like that tank. plenty of room left for a variety of cories and schoolers with them too.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

How about a planted community tank with chili rasboras,celestial danios,cardinal tetras ,nerites and a banjo catfish?

 

[SinSilla]

I'm now pretty much set on a pair of electric blue acaras and a snowball pleco if this pairing gets a thumb up from you guys.

Today i finished my hardscape. Had to work with the seiryu stones i had already purchased for the iwagumi but i like the way it turned out.

I wanna grow phoenix moss on the root to provide some kind of moss roof/cave.

 

[Davidiator]

You could do a cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid tank...

1 male Cockatoo
3 female cockatoos
And then some other schoolers or something..

Or better yet make it a redline Rasbora tank

 

[Davidiator]

Oh and welcome to MFK

Most of the members give good info but I would try to see if anyone backs up someone else's in as I have gotten bad info for the most part the members are good...