What to stock first?

[sinthesis]

Well, my tank's cycled, and planted and I'm ready to stock! I have a 55 gallon. I want cories, a betta, schools of neons and harlequin rasboras, upside down cats and some oto catfish.

I've heard something about always stocking otos first, but I'm not sure why. What order would you suggest?

[CatB]

i'd do the neons or rasboras first, they're the least sensitive.
or really, the betta is, but is this a male betta or a female? i think a male would be prone to aggression and stress in a community tank like that, others have had success, but you never know until it's too late...

[sinthesis]

Well shoot. I was planning on doing the neons last, because I've heard they'll do best in a well established tank bc they're sensitive. I was considering rasboras first, especially since otos will need algae and I don't have any yet.

[JoeD323]

Otocinclus are super sensitive to water quality in most cases because they are already in such terrible shape by time they get to the store and then your house. I wouldn't introduce them until the tank is a few months old, and everything has gotten a good coat of microfauna/algae. The rasboras and cories are good candidates for the first introduction.


Joe

[CatB]

Originally Posted by sinthesis

Well shoot. I was planning on doing the neons last, because I've heard they'll do best in a well established tank bc they're sensitive. I was considering rasboras first, especially since otos will need algae and I don't have any yet.

yeah, that's true

i'd say...

betta if you do it -> rasboras -> cories -> upside-down cats -> neons -> otos

[rreekers]

Berta should be introduced last.. that will minimize aggression, because the other fish will have territories claimed.
Rather than the beta first, he will claim most the tank and all new tank mates will be a threat to him

I would say cories and 1 of the schooling fish first

[sinthesis]

Originally Posted by rreekers

Berta should be introduced last.. that will minimize aggression, because the other fish will have territories claimed.

That makes sense, and it's something I had considered as well.

And the point that Joe makes about otos and their conditions in the stores is something I'd read and forgot about, so I'm glad to have that reminder.

I think I'll do like 3 rasboras today, see how the parameters are in a couple days and finish the school accordingly, then start with cories. I've heard you can just stock several fish at once if it's planted and cycled, but I'd rather take it slow I guess...unless you guys think it's more stressful to the fish not to have a bunch of friends for security right off the bat.