Bosemani Rainbows

[bullit]

i have tiger barbs at the mo but fancy a change (something less common, even though they do well). these any good with geos, firemouths etc? size? or any others? cheers

 

[minxfishy]

What size tank?

Ive had plenty of success with keeping boesemani (and other other rainbow species) with medium sized relatively peaceful cichlids, they certainly have no problem with living with Geophagus or Thorichthys species (assuming large enough tank).

Boesemani reach around 5" and can be deep bodied fish, require regular water changes or they dont do very well, a varied diet with plenty of vegetable matter, temps below 26c down to 22c. Minimum size tank for a group of 6 and they need a minimum of a group to be happy is a 55g 4ft tank.

 

[bullit]

its a rio 240 at the mo. it will be upgraded. is there smaller ones? didnt really want them as big as the cichids. cheers minx

 

[hamfist]

Dwarf neon rainbows (Melanotaenia praecox) would also work well, and are much smaller than the main "larger" species of rainbows.
A shoal of 5-6 of those would seem to be ideal. They are also widely available.

 

[ChilliPepper]

I recommend the Praecox, they are fantastic little fish in a big group

 

[bullit]

cheers. is that whats in your sig chilli?