Thoughts on my 40 gallon aquarium?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Current stocking
- 9 red shiners
- 4 Chinese gold barbs
- 3 zebra danios
- 1 rubber lip pleco
- 1 panda garra
- 2 yo-yo loaches
- 2 bamboo shrimp
- 4 dwarf synodontis (unsure if petricola or lucipinnis)
 
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Nice busy tank.
I have 2 small suggestions:
a. up the zebra danios to about 8-10. They will be much more rewarding and happier.
b. clear a small area near the front center for the loaches, garra and others to have a stretch of rock-less substrate to root around in.

And a word of caution. As the 2 loaches grow, I would worry about the bamboo. Perhaps not all the time given the sizes, but definitely when it molts.
 
Nice busy tank.
I have 2 small suggestions:
a. up the zebra danios to about 8-10. They will be much more rewarding and happier.
b. clear a small area near the front center for the loaches, garra and others to have a stretch of rock-less substrate to root around in.

And a word of caution. As the 2 loaches grow, I would worry about the bamboo. Perhaps not all the time given the sizes, but definitely when it molts.
Appreciate the feedback I’ll keep an eye on the loaches. About the zebra danios, I’ve tried upping their numbers once but apart from my current 3 they all died. I have no clue why.
 
How many did you add?
There may be a few issues at play:
- bad genetics from breeders going on output numbers and cost efficiency instead of good genes - buy 6+ and expect for 30-40% dying. If able to, quarantine for 2 -3 weeks. Even a bucket would work if you have no tank.
- adding a small number at a time to a small group may make the new ones targets after stress from shop and bagging to your aquarium - add 6+ at once to spread attention and/or put them in a holding tank for a few days to a week just to chill. Quarantine if you are able to.
- shock from vastly differing water parameters - acclimate in bag for an hour floating, pour fish into net and do not add bag water to tank.
- New tank syndrome - you tank appears freshly set up. How long has it been running/cycled?
 
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How many did you add?
There may be a few issues at play:
- bad genetics from breeders going on output numbers and cost efficiency instead of good genes - buy 6+ and expect for 30-40% dying. If able to, quarantine for 2 -3 weeks. Even a bucket would work if you have no tank.
- adding a small number at a time to a small group may make the new ones targets after stress from shop and bagging to your aquarium - add 6+ at once to spread attention and/or put them in a holding tank for a few days to a week just to chill. Quarantine if you are able to.
- shock from vastly differing water parameters - acclimate in bag for an hour floating, pour fish into net and do not add bag water to tank.
- New tank syndrome - you tank appears freshly set up. How long has it been running/cycled?
I’ve had this specific set up running for a little over a year. Before I had a 29 gallon set up which I had for a year which was replaced when it started leaking. I added 4 zebra danios to a group 3. Atleast one of them is from the group of 4 I got since one of the originals was the only long fin and ended up dying. The lfs I bought them from uses the same city tap water as me.
 
The only time I have this happen to me is when I occasionally buy full grown fish, that turn out to be ex breeder stock or something, which are already nearing the end of their lives.
 
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