I got a 29 gallon aquarium for my birthday awhile back, and was wondering if any of you could share some opinions about what to pu tin it. I'm still in the 'chemical testing' phase, so there's nothing in there but rocks, water and decor. But I want a variety of fish, and fish that are active and entertaining while not too much care and attention needed.

I really like angels, neon tetras, tiger barbs seem kinda cool, and others. I know I don't want any goldfish. Can cichlids only stay with other cichlids? Any way, I'd appreciate any suggestions you all have.

Congratulations on your aquarium. To start with you need to put a fish, any fish, in your aquarium if you have water in it. My suggestion is to go ahead and buy a plecostomus. They typically cost $1.99, have a long life, and will grow up to 24 inches (my largest is 12 inches). They eat the algae and help keep the tank clean. Aquarium water with no fish in it will go bad.

There are three kinds of Cichlids. South American cichlids like oscarsand jack dempseys are not very social fish and are best kept in an aquarium by themselves.

African cichlids make a great community fish, as long as they are with other african cichlids. They will tolerate a plecostomus, but not an angel fish, tetras or barbs. African cichlids will give you salt water color with the fresh water easy. If you buy African cichlids, get a male and a female of each variety.

The third type of Cichlid is the North Carolina cichlid. He is very rare, and even rarer is is the female variety. Being that you have a 29 gallon tank, I won't even discuss his preferences.

NC

LOL @ NC!!!

Thanks for the help NC. I actually was planning on buying a pleco. Just haven't figured out what else to put in. The African cichlids sound pretty neat though.

Also, I can't seem to get the ph level down to 7. I've added the ph Down to the tank and it seems to be the same. Can you offer any advice there?

I think angelfish are very beautiful, but keep al the fin nippers out if you want them. Gourami's are aggressive and definitely the cichlids. Your best bet is swordtails, mollies, whiteclouds, and those neon ones. Also, danios and barbs, maybe not the tiger barbs though. You could get a school of the whiteclouds, and neons, they like that. Here is a site that will help you alot.Aquariumfish.net
As far as the algae eater fish, I would take precaution on the plecostosmas, they do get huge. There is a smaller chinese algae eater one that is better.

I wouldn't bother trying to alter the pH. It's usually more work then is needed. Most fish are capable of adapting to a wide range of pH, and there are lots of fish that you can get to go with the pH that comes straight out of your tap.

I don't know, but african cichlids may do better in a larger tank. You might be able to keep a pair. Probably depends on the cichlid. I don't know much about them, but I know they can be pretty territorial. You might like a kribensis. I believe they do well in community aquariums, as long as you don't have little fish.

Also, I don't like to contradict, but I wouldn't add a common pleco either. They get huge and create lots and lots of waste. It's more then possible for you to keep one in that tank, but it could be detrimental to your water quatity as well as your pleco. So, it's up to you. There are smaller Pleco species. I believe the bushy nose is one of them. If you want to start your aquarium with a fish, I would recommend a hardy livebearer or danio. A group of three to start with would be fine.

As far as other fish...you know what you like. You seem to be going for a community aquarium, so just be sure they get along, and that they suit your fancy. You might want to take a look at rainbowfish. I think they are stunning in a school.

Since I too have a 29Gal tank, I'll tell you what I have.

2 Gold Red-tail Tinfoil Barbs
3 Danios
4 Black Stripe Tetras (These were my first fish, which I expected to die as my tank bacteria was setup. However, they lived, and I've had them 2 years...)
2 Buenes Aires Tetras
1 Bala Shark
1 (HUGE) Plecosomus (FYI, Clown Pleco's stay small..)
1 Checkerboard Barb
1 Blue Gourami (which Soaringhorse said were agressive, but mine is not at all...)
1 Kissing Fish
1 Beta (new addition)