Jaspyjasp

Hey thanks!! Helps a lot - especially the pics in size comparisons compared to the cherry shrimp!! It’s weird bc without the cherry shrimps there, it looks so long 🤣 Thank you!! 🙏

Oh cool! How can I see your post? Is there a link?

@jwcarlsonWhere did you get the 1.5” borneo suckers? I see a lot of places kind of mixing up the reticulated and borneo species, understandably.

1.5” is small!! I’ll have to look up that variety. Its nice to get small things…so you can get more 🤣

@SpacedCadette !!!! SOOO CUTE!!! That’s so awesome that he comes out for you! I do hear they are big personalities 😍 That’s one of the reasons I like corys so much. is that a mystery snail? How are they at cleaning? Thank you so much for sharing. It’s also great to hear that you’ve had experience with all of them in small numbers (garra, hillstream, AND the clown pleco). I think hillstreams would come out more if there is more than one, from what I’m noticing. At this point I’m kind of considering at least one of each for final tank, and for sure the Garra since it is so social. I’ll try him out first 🙂 Thanks!

@ACW good gravy, now you got me looking at clown plecos! 🤣 so cute!

Thank you for the context! That’s awesome! Your tank sounds like a bigger version of mine without the Hillstreams/garras (yet 🤣). I have 8 little corys, 6 espeis/pork chop rasboras, 6 white clouds, and 4 amanos in 22L (36x12x12). Want to complete it with the hillstreams/garras. Thanks for sharing!! 🙏🙏🙏 I agree that with all the bottom dwellers and glass suckers, it prob doesnt look that stocked.

I have a 22G (36x12x12), so not small 🤣 but, i have 8 corys that will grow to about 2.2” each. How many of each (hillstream and garra) do you have, if u may ask? I just went to fish store and panda garras are so cute 😍🙈 Just want to see what combos ppl have to see what could work.

Thanks for your input! Yeah i dont expect them to solve any algae problem, but be cool to have something fun that could enjoy it and clean a bit. I’ll keep thinking 🙂 I’m picking up a couple more amanos today and looking forward to having them. Appreciate your thoughts and sharing your experience! 🙏 thank you so much!

Hi @anewbie No, I have a 22G Long (36x12x12). So it’s pretty long footprint wise. I already have the Cory. I upgraded my tank to this 22L, so it already has a lot of biofilm, algae, and bacteria growing from the old tank - and planted as you can see up top. It’s grown a lot more biofilm/fuzzy algae since a few weeks ago. I prob won’t get a hillstream/garra for another month or so b/c my quarantine tank is currently occupied - so things will keep growing and getting fuzzy. Going to add more plants as well. You think a Panda Garra would work better because it could do a better job eating algae? They sound super fun, but cant do 6 - not even 3 with the 8 cories 😕 the cories are small species- they’ll only get to be 2.2” or so max. The garras can reach up to 3.5-4” right?

6! o_o I think that is too many for my tank, but thank you for the tip.

Oh man, that sounds sooo cute. Yeah maybe a male/ female or female/female pair could work. Thank you so much for the extra details. Super helps 🙏🙏🙏

Thank you!! 🙏🙏🙏 It sounds like they do enjoy the company of their peers, which is always fun to watch. How has it been with just the 2 loaches? I hear it’s best to have 1 or 3 due to their territorial nature - but, i’d love to have 2 🤣 My tank is pretty long at 36x12, so im wondering if that could be large enuf territories for just 2 hillstreams? 🤔 3 would stretch it for me. I don’t want them to feel lonely tho if I just got 1 hillstream (or garra), which is sort of where I’m headed…

Thank you! 🙏 All sound advice. I don’t have a betta, but I agree the temp issue is pretty important. I think i can only go as high as 72-74 with the minnows and even that is considered pretty high for them. Def no betta for me in the future i think. Don’t hillstreams like cooler waters too? Small pleco could work too, i’ll need to do more research on them. I’d love something 3-4”max. Ok thanks! I’ll do some research! This is the tank i’m working with. It’s not that stocked yet because half of the animals are in quarantine right now 😅

Thank you! 🙏 All sound advice. I don’t have a betta, but I agree the temp issue is pretty important. I think i can only go as high as 72-74 with the minnows and even that is considered pretty high for them. Def no betta for me in the future i think. Don’t hillstreams like cooler waters too? Small pleco could work too, i’ll need to do more research on them. I’d love something 3-4”max.

@CinnebunsAh, ok! Good to know! I’ve heard differing opinions with hillstreams and hair algae, but great to hear your experience. So glad hillstreams do well with Corys! @OutBout @Cinnebuns Yes, I have an Amano and I love it! I am going to get a couple more b/c I think they eat hair algae well. I guess I was hoping to find something that could work on the glass and eat hair algae 🤣 I don’t have a Betta though - am considering a Honey Gourami - so I think either a Hillstream or Garra could work. I would put an extra airstone in to get more oxygen going in the tanks. And def more amanos! @SimmonsSnailsNScalesAhh thank you! I hear Panda Garras are so fun to have! I should prob get snails, but I don’t want an explosion of snails or eggs 🙈 @bryanisagCool! I could see that! It would be fun to see the hillstream gliding around like that! I have a number of small schooling fish so it’d be cool to see the hillstream socializing in that way. Thank you everyone! Super appreciate the advice all around! Both the Hillstream and Garra sound so fun, it’s hard to choose. Part of me is wanting both a Garra and hillstream now - with a couple more Amanos 🤣 Just conscious of overstocking the tank…we’ll see…

Oh wow!! That’s awesome!! Thank you so much for your insight and experience! Do hillstreams they eat all sorts of algae? What about HAIR ALGAE? 🤣 that’s my biggest issue. I have a 22G long (36x12x12 foot print) and have 8 Venezuelan cories, 6 White clouds, and 6 porkchop rasboras (at the moment). I was considering only 1 panda garra or 1 hillstream loach to keep things minimal, but do you think I will need 3? O_o Will 3 be an issue with the corys or can I just do 1 you think? Thank you so much!! Jaspyjasp

@Zach B What did you end up getting? Now I'm in that same predicament trying to figure out which algae eater to get 🤣 A Hillstream Loach or Panda Garra .... 🤔

Ahhh!! You are so smart to have had your betta for a while to observe him! Great idea! Yes, i was thinking to get it last so i can put it in another tank if necessary. Although my footprint is long, it doesnt have a lot of height, so i could see some issues there for getting away 🤔 Def will get more floating plants, my tank is pretty planted, but am planning to get more floaties. Thank you do much for your advice! You did a great job planning and observing your animals. I’ll def go slow and stock with what makes sense for what I have now. Thank you!! 🙏

Wow, your journal and setup is awesome! Been fun to read! I love how much love you have for your tank and its inhabitants ❤️ Your betta and honey gourami get along so well! I’m trying to plan a 22Gal Long (36x12x12) planted tank and would like to house a honey gourami and betta… How did you do that and do you think that is enough space for them? If they’re both female would that be more successful? thank you and thanks for sharing your fish story! steph

Thank you!! Appreciate your input and experience 🙏 Have a great weekend!

Ahh ok ok! 🙏🙏🙏 Your ponds/tubs must look AMAZING!! I have 4 long fin white clouds right now, but i only have a 15G 🤣 i was considering 4 gold clouds to mix for a total of 8, that’s why i was asking if they need at least 6 of each. Also considering ember tetra too for variety…

Thank you @Gwallace! Do you have at least 6 of each tho so they are happy in their specific group? I keep reading schools need at least 6, but is it 6 each, or a mix of morphs to total 6? (Omg so complicated, am I being too literal? 🤣)

@eolithDid you end up getting 4 of each? Do they shoal well? I’m in the same situation now wondering if they would be happy mixed or need at least 6 of each type (gold and standard wcmm) 😅

Great thread! @sweetpoison - Just read, thank you! Your stand is BEAUTIFUL and super solid! I will sit on mine and see how it stands up. I think it could work for 22gal, 26G might be pushing it… will def add a 3/4” top and rubber mat.