Need Some Idea For A Centrepiece Fish To Go In A Cardinal Tetra Tank

[trout_pout]

Hey, all!

I was considering getting a Dwarf Puffer tank. However, after much research. I've decided against the idea.

I've currently got a 30 gallon tank and I'm considering filling it with some plants and driftwood. Adding a group of Cardinal Tetras - as I thought that the red/blue would compliment the brown/green of the wood/plants.

However, after watching many videos of Cardinal Tetra only tanks. I do think that, as nice as they look. The tanks could do with a main fish. Fairly larger than the Cardinals, that would be (preferably) either black or silver in colour - or a very bright colour like orange!

The two I looked up were the Black Knife Ghost Fish and Silver Dollar. However, I've read that they would be too big for my aquarium.

I also looked up the Senegal Birchir - however, I read that it would eat the tetras for breakfast.

I guess that what I'm looking for is either a massive 'stand-out fish' or an unusual oddball character. So that the Cardinals are the pretty background and the main fish provides the character of the tank.

Something that is either very pretty or very odd. I find that tanks with platys/dwarf gouramis/angelfish look a bit generic.



ANY IDEAS?

 

[Ch4rlie]

How about German Blue Rams?

 

[DrRob]

Flame aggassizi would fit the orange bill and would be slightly larger.
 
Otherwise, keyholes might fit the bill well.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Thanks for posting this...
 
 
BGK are WAY too big for a 30 gallon and are predatory fish that would eat your tetras.
Silver dollars are huge, shoaling fish, that are also way bigger than can be used in a 30 gallon.
Same for the Senegal bichirs... they are similar to the BGK in that they are predatory and way too big for a 30.
So, you were very correct in eliminating them from your list...
 
If you are looking for 'large' fish, a Keyhole cichlid would be ideal, as they grow to around 5 inches, but are very docile, nearly reclusive.  They require cover and the cardinals will help it feel more comfortable.
 
Rams - Bolivian or German Blue - would work well.

 

[trout_pout]

Amazing!

Thanks everyone for your ideas.

I'll have a look at all of them...

-----------------------

If I were to add some Cherry Shrimp, what would be the likelihood of the Keyhole mutilating them all?

 

[TallTree01]

The keyhole will probably not but there is always a possibility when it come to shrimp and fish.

 

[rolo0151]

I've got a keyhole in my community tank. Really placid & has never gone near my amano shrimp. Really underrated fish in my opinion.

 

[DerpPH]

They are some of the more docile cichlids. Or maybe you want a discus? Specifically the orange ones

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The tank is far too small for a discus.

And they are very finicky about their water parameters...

 

[DerpPH]

True. But I have seen them being kept n a 35. Well I guess I was pushing it to the limits. Oh and uh for a substitution I would get an apistogramma cacatioudes "orange flash"