Almost ready!

[brancasterr]

My tank is almost cycled and I'm almost ready to start stocking my tank!

I just wanted to get a few opinions on which fish I should stock first.

I'm going to put Neon Tetras, Panda or Peppered cory's, and ADF's. Then after they're all established I'm going to try my luck with putting a betta in.

Should I start with the tetras, cory's, or ADF's?

[xxabc]

I heard something bout the tetras and "new tank syndrome." That they "mysteriously" die off in an new tank (new being at least less than 6 months). BUt I don't own any, so ...

I see it as two ways: First non-shoaling fish, then shoaling fish, and lastly betta. OR

Shoaling fish, non-shoaling fish, lastly betta ? If you're going to put shoaling fish like cories then you might as well keep them all together from the start.

Get panda cories. They're cute as heck. :D

[dramaqueen]

I love panda cories. They ARE awfully cute. :)

[xxabc]

(Offtopic:) Dramaqueen, how much did you buy them for? At petco, they're $9.99 each (and unavailable at Petsmart). What a disappointment!! If I wanted 4, that's $40 bucks...no, plus tax. $45. Actually, more like $43.25. Yes, I did math. Hehe...

[Kittles]

That's a ridiculous amount of money for a Cory. I paid like a dollar for my albino and peppered, but I guess they're pretty common, eh?

To Brancasterrrrrrrr: not that I know much of fish-addition etiquette, but one thing that makes sense in my mind is that territorial fish should be added last, obviously. I mean, that's why the betta is added last, and that's why it's suggested to rearrange your tank prior to the addition of new fish should your betta already have been living in the tank for some time (which is not your case). I can't see Corydoras being territorial, but I don't know about Tetra. Cory > Tetra > Betta seems like a dandy order to me. ADFs can be included anywhere.

That is my very unscientific, kittle-logic, two cent piece.

[dramaqueen]

I don't have cories myself but they have them at Petsmart. I never paid any attention to how much they cost.

[brancasterr]

xxabc, teach me more about this "new tank syndrome". I wonder why Tetras would be more susceptible to it. Hmmm.

Can anyone else confirm this?

Also, I have noticed that Panda Cory's do run for a hefty price. I have also noticed that I can find them cheaper online but I've always been one to avoid the shipping of live things through the mail. How safe and comfortable is it really?

Also also, I've heard that cories might not do so hot if they're the first thing in a tank. Is this true?

Thanks everyone!

[Mister Sparkle]

Bran...you avoided new tank syndrome when you decided to spend the last month or so cycling your aquarium!

Tetra's are susceptible to toxins. They have some serious water-quality demands. Other than that, they are awesome fish to have!

[brancasterr]

Whew, that takes away a little bit of stress. I was worried I was going to have to keep my eye on the tetras 24/7 to keep them safe.

As for ordering the panda cories online...how does that sound?

[Kittles]

If that's the kind of Cory you'd like in your tank and are adamant about having them I don't see why not. I'm lazy, so I'd go with whatever is at the store. I'm also cheap. Sometimes.

Just make sure your supplier ships them in good condition, and quickly.