Decisions Decisions ....

[Dazzler666]

Hello all. As some if you maybe aware i have a 5ft tank housing 12 tiger barbs, one pair if breeding krubs, pair of GBR's, 5 lemon & 5 beacon tetras & currently 20 harlequin radboras.
Now, i was looking at either/or/and a blue acara along with a eliotti as my centrepiece fish however, i decided to put a few seformed guppy dry into my tank which the barbs loved ergo the problem is that my barbs is now trying to eat my rasboras & has already killed one of them trying! . So im thinking of moving my rasboras out and putting some bigger fish in like the acara & eliotti's hence, how many would people suggest or any other brightly coloured larger fish do people suggest?
My PH is 7.2, ammonia & nitrite zer with Nitrites around 5 but always beliw ten as i do weekly 25-40% w/c. Oh and tank temp is 27 degrees.
Any advice much aporeciated.
Cheers

 

[Dazzler666]

Hello all. As some of you maybe aware i have a 5ft tank housing 12 tiger barbs, one pair of breeding kribs, pair of GBR's, 5 lemon & 5 beacon tetras & currently 20 harlequin rasboras.
Now, i was looking at either/or/and a blue acara along with an eliotti as my centrepiece fish however, i decided to put a few deformed guppy fry into my tank which the barbs loved ergo the problem is that my barbs are now trying to eat my rasboras & has already killed one of them trying! . So im thinking of moving my rasboras out and putting some bigger fish in like the acara & eliotti's hence, how many would people suggest or any other brightly coloured larger fish do people suggest?
My PH is 7.2, ammonia & nitrite zero with Nitrites around 5 but always below ten as i do weekly 25-40% w/c & running two fluval 304 filters. Oh and tank temp is 27/28 degrees.
Any advice much appreciated.
Cheers

Sorry for the double & amended post ... What you get trying to put a post on via i-phone in middle of Tesco whilst the Mrs is shopping .... Joy!!!

 

[Sammy1911]

didnt want to read & run! im considering something similar so will b keepin n eye on this thread, i have danios not rasboras n no barbs but i have a 4' tank with gbr's & tetras hence "similar"-ish lol.
I cant find any ellioti locally but can get a gymno australis, hope someone can shed some light for us eh!!

 

[Dazzler666]

Hi Sammy, i wouldnt read and run so much as i would shop & type ... Well now anyway!!! lol.
Just Googled the fish you mention & doesnt appear to be much info on them really though they do look similar to Bolivian rams!!
im also finding it difficult to find some Eliotti (im in the North East by the way) but shall see what responses i get then go on a determined search!!
Also love EBJD's which i may now consider although they are notoriously difficult to keep alive after 3+ months.
Yep fingers crossed we can both find the answers we looking for!! .

 

[Dazzler666]

Any suggestions fish people out there?
Is an EBJD possible along with maybe Eliotti and/or blue acara?
Have now moved my rasboras as it wod seem another has disappeared . #40## that feeding live food

 

[Tizer]

i've put 5 firemouths in my tank, you could do similar with 5 eliotti, they seem to do better in groups but if they pair you might need to rid a few.

 

[Dazzler666]

Any suggestions about the possibity of an EBJD with a blue acara and possibly an Eliotti?
Finding it a bit difficult trying to source Eliotti in the North East too .
Any other suggestions from you knowledgable fishy people out there?!
Really need some guidance ..... Pretty please!!!

 

[minnnt]

The Rams don't really belong in that tank. They require different water parameters to the other fish you keep. The other fish you have are pretty hardy and will adapt to your water, the Rams won't. They are extremely sensitive fish that require very soft, acidic water with a temperature of around 28-30c. That kind of temperature will make your other fish sweat.

You don't mention the full size of your tank. Providing it is at least 15" (ideally 18") wide then Jack Dempsey's will work along with Ellioti's.

I would look toward doing a CA or SA kind of biotape personally. Could be a very stunning tank if you researched fish of a certain area and tried to replicate it with hardscape and plants.

 

[Dazzler666]

From research depending which site you look on im aware the temp is the high end for my tigers and lower limit for the rams. They were bought from a lfs & they had been there for around 6 weeks in water with a PH of 7.2 which is the same as mine. So far all my fish appear to be doing well but obviously, if i begin to see any changes will remove them as required.
I think the measurements are 5 ft wide, 2ft tall & i think 18" deep.
Am now also considering a Firemouth as well as EBJD, blue acara & an Eliotti. Would these fish be better singly, pair or groups? Im not looking for a spawning pair just a happy tank!!
Any tips much appreciated!
Cheers.

 

[minnnt]

Its your tank, but rams won't fare well.

Ellioti and firemouths are a bad mix as they're from the same family so aggression will be high.

 

[Dazzler666]

Hmm, after doing some reading im now looking at Geophagus as they are peaceful & from pics ive seen they seem very nice looking with some great colour.
My question is are Geophagus better in a group? I dont really want them to spawn but am thinking without a mix of males/females then bullying issues may occur.
Any help/tips or advice much appreciated!!
Cheers