I recently setup a 29 gallon aquarium with a black background and black substrate. So I am looking for fish that really pop against a dark backround. This is my first tank, so I don't want really high maintenance fish. But, I do want a tank with vibrant color, interesting behavior/movement and action at all levels. The problem is that I keep getting conflicting information (books, websites, LFS etc.)about the suitability of various species.
Option 1: All Barb
At first, I was going with an all barb tank: (6) Cherry (6) Gold and (6) Tiger. But, after seeing the size of adult tigers, I don't think I have room. Plus my LFS said they would recommend only one school of barbs in a 29 gallon tank.
Option 2: All Livebearer
The livebearers are very bright and colorful. I was thinking (6) Platy (6) Guppy and (6) Molly - all males because I don't have the means to care for fry, and I don't want my children to see the fry being eaten. But, I read that an all male tank would be too aggressive. And the different species would inter-mingle rather than school with their own kind. So the tank would look like one big mess of fish. Plus livebearers seem prone to disease and short lifespans.
Option 3:
A male/female pair of Opaline or Gold Gourami, (6) Serpae Tetra and (6) Gold Barbs, Dwarf Loaches or Panda Cory. I really like the Serpae Tetras because they are bright red. And the Gourami are beautiful too, and I thought a pairing of larger fish might be a nice contrast to a school. But, I understand that the Gourami are very aggressive and that even the male may fight his female as well as other fish. Also, I want bottom level interest, but I am concerned that the Gold Barbs would get too big. The Corys seem too timid for a semi agressive tank, plus they aren't very colorful. And I have no information about the hardiness and aggressiveness of dwarf loaches.
Option 4: All Tetra
(6) Serpae Tetra (6) Silver Tip Tetra (6) Penguin Tetra (6) Glowlight Tetra I think these are some of the most colorful tetas (not counting the neons and cardinals whcih are hard to keep - especially with my slightly basic water). But, I am not familiar with all the various types of tetra. And Im concerned that an all tetra tank will be too much of the same thing - all middle level, similar temperment, etc.
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Option 1: All Barb
At first, I was going with an all barb tank: (6) Cherry (6) Gold and (6) Tiger. But, after seeing the size of adult tigers, I don't think I have room. Plus my LFS said they would recommend only one school of barbs in a 29 gallon tank.
Option 2: All Livebearer
The livebearers are very bright and colorful. I was thinking (6) Platy (6) Guppy and (6) Molly - all males because I don't have the means to care for fry, and I don't want my children to see the fry being eaten. But, I read that an all male tank would be too aggressive. And the different species would inter-mingle rather than school with their own kind. So the tank would look like one big mess of fish. Plus livebearers seem prone to disease and short lifespans.
Option 3:
A male/female pair of Opaline or Gold Gourami, (6) Serpae Tetra and (6) Gold Barbs, Dwarf Loaches or Panda Cory. I really like the Serpae Tetras because they are bright red. And the Gourami are beautiful too, and I thought a pairing of larger fish might be a nice contrast to a school. But, I understand that the Gourami are very aggressive and that even the male may fight his female as well as other fish. Also, I want bottom level interest, but I am concerned that the Gold Barbs would get too big. The Corys seem too timid for a semi agressive tank, plus they aren't very colorful. And I have no information about the hardiness and aggressiveness of dwarf loaches.
Option 4: All Tetra
(6) Serpae Tetra (6) Silver Tip Tetra (6) Penguin Tetra (6) Glowlight Tetra I think these are some of the most colorful tetas (not counting the neons and cardinals whcih are hard to keep - especially with my slightly basic water). But, I am not familiar with all the various types of tetra. And Im concerned that an all tetra tank will be too much of the same thing - all middle level, similar temperment, etc.
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.
