Firemouth Tankmates

[Oddities]

As of right now i have about a 4 inch firemouth in with a 2.5-3 inch Opaline gourami 4 peppered cory's and 2 false juli cory's in a 29 gallon tank with driftwood and fake plants. I am planning on moving at least the opaline gourami out of the tank and trying to find it a suitable replacement. I would prefer to move the cory's with it but i am not entirely sure on that just yet. What would be a good replacement for the Gourami? The reason I am planning on moving it is while i have yet to see any damage done to it on the rare occasion my firemouth comes out from his hiding spot while i am in the room he chases the gourami around harrassing it. I have yet to see it bother a cory cat though which i find strange. I was thinking of replacing the gourami with a mid-top water flashy fish (would prefer a school if i could pull it off) that was colorful since the firemouth doesnt like to show his face very much. The tank has a fine black sand bottom and is over filtered by a Marineland penguin 200 biowheel filter. Was thinking maybe rainbows or tiger barbs but im not sure if i have the room for the 6+ fish that these would need to be happy.

Here is a picture of the tank so far,

 

[onidrase]

Chances are your cories aren't going to be bugged by the firemouth. firemouths are a bit more pieceful than other cichlids, but they still have their territory. Bottom feeders like loaches and catfish tend to be ignored in territorial disputes.

In regards to action, I'd say pick out a larger species of barb or tetra, one that the firemouth won't be able to fit in its mouth. Most things should be compatible, but you might want to remove the firemouth for 30 minutes to an hour and re arrange the tank a bit before adding the tetra, so the firemouth doesn't feel like the tetras are invading their territory. You will be able to fit in at least 8 of most species of schooling fish in a 29 gallon tank, but not rainbowfish, as they get far too large and are very very active and quick.

 

[Oddities]

I was thinking tiger barbs... But if i did go tetra's what type would you suggest? Also what about Giant Danios or are those like rainbows and just need to much swimming room?

 

[onidrase]

I was thinking tiger barbs... But if i did go tetra's what type would you suggest? Also what about Giant Danios or are those like rainbows and just need to much swimming room?

Giant danios definitely need more room. Danios and rainbows are both extremely active, and granted giant danios and rainbows typically get 4-6 inches long.

Tiger barbs are little monsters, best kept with larger fish that can beat them up or in their own tank. Extremely nippy and boisterous, they aren't compatible with cory catfish.

Most tetras which are deep bodied and grow to be at least 2 inches long will work.

 

[Oddities]

If i go with Tiger Barbs the Corys in the tank will be relocated to a 15 gallon i have that will become a community tank. Would a bristlenose pleco work with then though?

 

[Oddities]

I have my doubts on whether or not they would be able to survive with a cichlid but what about glass cats?

 

[onidrase]

I have my doubts on whether or not they would be able to survive with a cichlid but what about glass cats?

Glass cats are very stressy and are always caught wild, they're well known for oftenly dying before they make it back to your house from the LFS, starving to death if kept in small groups or aren't given enough trouble, or just dying for totally unknown reasons.

It's -plausible-, but if the cichlid shows any signs of aggression towards them, they're toast. Possibly the most fragile readily available schooling fish out there.

 

[Oddities]

thats what i figured, i see them readily almost everywhere i go but after some mild reading on them i have a feeling it would end up a waste of money if i attempted. What about buenos aires tetras?

 

[onidrase]

thats what i figured, i see them readily almost everywhere i go but after some mild reading on them i have a feeling it would end up a waste of money if i attempted. What about buenos aires tetras?

IME they're even more boisterous and nippy than tiger barbs. They'll readily attack and eat any fish that are small and look like food, and any live plants in the tank. They've also been known to eat at each others fins if they feel like they're not getting enough food, and they almost always feel like they're not getting enough food. But they'll be compatible with the firemouth, yes.

 

[Oddities]

Ah then I think I'm not gonna do them either cause as of right now I think I'm going to avoid the tiger barbs for fear that they will shred the firemouths fins.

 

[onidrase]

Ah then I think I'm not gonna do them either cause as of right now I think I'm going to avoid the tiger barbs for fear that they will shred the firemouths fins.

IME, tiger barbs and buenos aires tetras will leave bigger stronger fish alone.

 

[Oddities]

I have read a lot that they get along fine but I heard a few bad reps about the tiger barbs and I'd rather play it safe for now. I'll probably go with w
Either black skirts or live bearers. I just remembered a fish I used to live though but I'm afraid cause or it's fins and placid nature. But what about an AFB?

 

[onidrase]

I have read a lot that they get along fine but I heard a few bad reps about the tiger barbs and I'd rather play it safe for now. I'll probably go with w
Either black skirts or live bearers. I just remembered a fish I used to live though but I'm afraid cause or it's fins and placid nature. But what about an AFB?

What does AFB stand for?

I keep my Firemouth with black skirt tetras with little issue. They're pretty placid and lazy, and frankly kinda boring, but if the firemouth tries to pick on them they're quite quick.

I'm unsure about how livebearers would work, they seem kinda sluggish and dumb to me, but that might just be due to their appearance, I've never owned them before.

 

[Oddities]

African Butterfly Fish, Its a 4 inch long top water fish, and by top water i mean stick to the surface youll be lucky to see me under 3 inches deep in the tank kind of fish. Highly predatory, and enjoys crickets. I ended up with diamond tetra's and an albino bristlenose to finish the tank off do to going by a really nice lfs an hour away.

 

[onidrase]

African Butterfly Fish, Its a 4 inch long top water fish, and by top water i mean stick to the surface youll be lucky to see me under 3 inches deep in the tank kind of fish. Highly predatory, and enjoys crickets. I ended up with diamond tetra's and an albino bristlenose to finish the tank off do to going by a really nice lfs an hour away.

Oh, yeah I know the butterfly fish. It would be fine with a firemouth, as cichlids tend to hang closer to the bottom of the tank.