Showpiece Fish

[Glod]

Hi folks,

My large tank has now been running happily for a couple of months and the readings are all nice and stable (PH 7.5, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5-8 ). There are a few fish in there now and it's looking a lot less empty (Currently 6 Harlequin Rasorba, 7 Cardinal Tetras, 9 Platies, 2 baby Bristlenose Plecs and 5 Danios).

The tank is 4ft x 18" x 2ft high so I think there is still space for some more fish. What I'd like to do is add a few "showpiece" fish, something a little larger than the rest that won't get into conflict with the fish I have.

My thoughts so far have been something like a few Bosemani Rainbows and a pair of Kribs, with maybe a pair of Gourami at some point later. I'd also like to add a school of Corydoras, but want to let the tank mature more before I do that.

What do you think ?

*edit: 8) is a smiley... had to add a space

 

[ox5477]

You can def add more. You got about 90USG to play with so... the kribs would be nice, but they like a harder water up around 8.0 and your tetras are south american so like softer water, around 6.5 so I would say one of them won't be happy.

Try looking at New world cichlids as they like softer water. There are many dwarf varieties and most are relativily peaceful. Try looking at rams, apistos, checkerboards or keyholes. With the rams, apistos, and checkerboards; you can have probably two pairs in your tank and maybe one pair of the keyholes. make sure you only go with one species of cichlid though as they will fight eachother and cause havoc in your community. If you put more than two pairs, (one pair for the keyholes), territorial conflict will arise and also make your community a battlefield. But if the right steps are taken, these dwarf cichlids can enhance the look of any tank.

Good Luck!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

rainbows would be a nice option definately. I don't know a lot about they're requirements but I don't think there's anything too outlandish... do a bti of research first but yeah they'd look nice.

i have some dwarf cockatoo cichlids and they're great, I've noticed they really do prefer a reasonably well planted tank as they like lots of cover so that's something to bear in mind.

be careful with gourami's as there can be agression issues and you don't want your little fish getting picked on. But don't discount them altogether, I've a pair of opaline gourami's that have co-habited with community fish for years and never had any problems..... but strictly speaking they should pose a threat, however I didn't know this when I got them and they'd been fine for years before I found out. Just thought if it aint broke don't fix it!!

Yes a goup of cories would be great too, why not look for something a little bit rarer or different then you've got a sort of showpiece group of fish for the bottom of the tank. Or a group of congo tetra's.... lovely lovely fish.

I've recently taken a bit of an interest in rare small fish (mostly because I found somewhere that regularly has some in) and I like my tank that has just little fish in, cos I've some very pretty ones in it. Why not look for the newly discovered microrasbora galaxy, they're gorgeous

 

[Glod]

Yeah, I know the tetras prefer softer water but as with most people I got them before I looked them up only to find my water is a bit harder than they like. They do seem to be doing fine tho.

Everything I can find on the rainbows says they are pretty tolerant of water ph so the 7.5 in my tank shouldn't be extreme for them.

Is ph7.5 too low for kribs ? It was the reason I stayed away from Rams as I really don't want to start messing with the ph in my tank, as it sits all the fish seem quite happy, certainly the platies are breeding like mad ( no surprises! ). .

The tank is pretty well planted (I wouldn't say heavily), there are plenty of hiding spots as is emphasised by the fact the platy fry remain mostly uneaten, lol. Every day I'm sure we have *more* platy fry, and some of them are really getting quite big already ! If they get spooked it can be impossible to see *any* fish in the tank if they all hide

As for Gouramis, the candidates were Pearl or Dwarf, probably a pair or a trio.

For some reason I'm not that keen on Congo Tetras, they have some in a display tank at my lfs but to me they just don't seem that appealing. I'll look into the other suggestions you made, thanks for commenting !

 

[blue acara]

linkythere have been a few posts here about denison barbs. i have never kept them but they look beaut and i think they get to about 6inch. a group of 4-6 of these would be coolnice pic