Congos Or Neons?

[TekFish]

I have a 200L tank which shall be stocked as follows:

12 Firehead Tetras ------------- [Hemigrammus Bleheri]
10 Diamond Tetras ------------- [Moenkhausia Pittieri]
2 Banded Gouramis -------------- [Colisa/Trichogaster Fasciata]
1 S.A.E ------------------------ [Crossocheilus Siamensis]
4 Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids ------ [Apistogramma Cactuoides]

I have been informed that both options would be suitable but I can't decide which to get.
I would like to know:

#1 Which one shoals better?
#2 Are they likely to outcompete the tankmates for food?
#3 Which would look nicer?
#4 Are they aggressive/likely to get picked on?
#5 And if neither you think would fit, suggestions are welcome.

TekFish

 

[crazyforcordoras]

Congos are ver cool, im not sure you have space though. Thats just because i live in the USA, and dont know liters very well. But i went with congos!

 

[TekFish]

200L is around 52 US gallons does that help?

 

[crazyforcordoras]

That helps! Space wise you should be fine then

 

[TekFish]

How many would be OK for this size tank?

TekFish

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Have you ever seen a full size male Congo Tetra? Lets just say its volume is considerably bigger than 2 Neon Tetra, in fact I would not be surprised if you could fit 15 Neon tetras inside a male Congo Tetra (~12cm)!

Possible issues...
Congo Tetras may intimidate the Fireheads and possibly even the Diamonds as they mature.
Diamonds might be very tempted by the flowing fins of the Congos, Diamonds can be nippy.

To be honest I think adding another fish, especially a social fish species, is taking things too far above and beyond your initial list.

 

[TekFish]

Have you ever seen a full size male Congo Tetra? Lets just say its volume is considerably bigger than 2 Neon Tetra, in fact I would not be surprised if you could fit 15 Neon tetras inside a male Congo Tetra (~12cm)!

Possible issues...
Congo Tetras may intimidate the Fireheads and possibly even the Diamonds as they mature.
Diamonds might be very tempted by the flowing fins of the Congos, Diamonds can be nippy.

To be honest I think adding another fish, especially a social fish species, is taking things too far above and beyond your initial list.

12cm
Pretty much all sources say 8 MAX

Do you really think I've used all my space?
I've been using a very inaccurate source to decide my stocking.
and it says that without the congos or the neons in there, it comes at around 89% full
with Neons 105%
with Congos 108%

I have to say I'm leaning a bit more towards Neons.

TekFish

 

[fishprotector]

If you really want more fish, I would increase the numbers of fireheads and diamonds to at least 15 each rather than add another shoaling species. It will look more natural and create less confrontation.

 

[TekFish]

If you really want more fish, I would increase the numbers of fireheads and diamonds to at least 15 each rather than add another shoaling species. It will look more natural and create less confrontation.

Hey I read your Hillstream loach Tank.
Beautiful work, and I love your Gobies.

TekFish

 

[fishprotector]

If you really want more fish, I would increase the numbers of fireheads and diamonds to at least 15 each rather than add another shoaling species. It will look more natural and create less confrontation.

Hey I read your Hillstream loach Tank.
Beautiful work, and I love your Gobies.

TekFish

Cheers matey, I really need to update that thread. The gobies have bred numerous times now and after deciding to leave the eggs in the tank as they seem to survive better, there are lots of fry of varying sizes. The p.Myersi have also bred a couple of times.

Anyway sorry for the hijak lol.

 

[TekFish]

That's fine. Don't worry about it.

TekFish