Mixing Big And Tiny Bleeding Heart Tetras?

[LoachLover!]

Hi There!

I don't know whether I have posted this in the right place or not!

I am new to this forum, but have been keeping fish for some time.

I have an established 50 gallon aquarium set up, with various species of fish.

I initially bought a shoal of 6 Bleeding heart tetras and planned to add more. My LFS had always had them in stock, and then they stopped stocking them. They have just come back in stock after months of waiting! I was pleased, but have a slight problem

My current shoal are around 2.5 inches long. The 4 males that I have can be quite nasty to each other. Chasing each other and nipping, while the females are rather placid. My LFS new Bleeding Heart tetra stock are tiny. I didn;t even recognise them as bleeding hearts until I looked closer! They are about an inch long, and really quite cute But anyway....would it be asking for trouble if I was to go and add these to my tank? They are so tiny. My LFS advised against it, saying they would probably hide and get no food. I think they are probably right. Would it be asking for trouble to go and add these little guys with my big fellas? I don't want to cause any harm to them

I would be adding 2-4 more.

Oh, and can I just check my stock list with you guys? Does this sound ok?

3 x Pearl Gourami
6 x Zebra Loaches
6 x Three Lined Cory
8-10 x Bleeding Heart Tetras
2 x Bolivian Ram
6 x Otto

Tank Size - 200L (50 US gallons approx)
Filter - Fluval U4 Internal
50% PWC per week

Are the gouramis likely to fight? Are they easy to tell apart? Could I easily end up with all males, or is it easy to tell? I have heard mixed things about them getting along with each other, and it is confusing me!

Sorry about all the questions

 

[minnnt]

Hiya mate, welcome to the forum!!

I think you and the LFS are right. But, the reason they're nippy is because there is too many males so you need to add more to alter that. Catch 22 really.

The only suggestion i have would be to return your adults and ask the LFS if they will swap them for a group of the new juveniles in stock. This way you will be assured of a mix of sexes and there won't be the worry about the adults bullying the kids.

From your stock list nothing jumps out to me as being wrong mate. Nice to see a decent sized group of Otocinclus too! With the Gourami's, i believe Pearls are some of the more laid back G's... Just keep an eye on them and act accordingly if you see any fighting.

The only other thing i would suggest would be to consider an external filter. The Fluval U4's are very chunky indeed and removing it for an external would give you alot of space back within the tank. It would also give you a far larger surface area of filter media and enables you to add other media's should you wish.

Look forward to seeing you post around the forums.

 

[LoachLover!]

Thank you! My LFS will be sick of me swapping fish! Lol!

I am going to swap to an external at some point (or at least add it in addition)

Thank you

 

[minnnt]

You're welcome!

 

[LoachLover!]

Stocking wise, having observed my tank today, I figured that even with the gouramis there will be very little "life" at the top of the tank.

If i was to just keep one male and have some platies or something easy like that, would that work?

 

[minnnt]

15 Harlequin Rasbora's.

 

[LoachLover!]

Would that be pushing it to add harlequins?

So, it would be

1 x Pearl Gourami
15 x Harlequin Rasboras
8 x Bleeding Heart Tetras
2 x Bolivian Rams
6 x Zebra Loaches
6 x Otto
6 x Three lined cories

Thanks