What Next?

[Benauld]

First off I have a 130L tank containing: 2 x German Blue Rams (Microgeophagus ramirezi), 7 x Gold Tetras (Hemigrammus rodwayi), & 1 x Peacock Goby (Tateurndina ocellicauda). The tank has been running for five months.

I've recently lost all 7 of my Cardinal Tetras to whitespot. The rest of the inhabitants have been free of whitespot for two weeks now, and whilst I'm not looking to replace any fish immediately I'm struggling to decide what to get, when I do. I have 35cm-ish to play with, and want a small shoal of something. I loved the vivid colours of the Cardinals but was disappointed by how weak they were in general (as a species not due to the specific fish I had). My wife likes the look of Neons but I am hesitant, as I consider them to be even weaker through in-breeding. Can anybody suggest a species which packs a colourful punch/is interesting to watch, and would go with my current stock? If it makes any difference the tank is quite tall, and I'm not after bottom-dwellers such as cories etc, but something ranging from mid-top.

Oh, pH is 7 and Temp is 27[sup]o[/sup]C.

Any ideas out there?

 

[Benauld]

BUMP!

Could 7 or 8 Sparkling Gourami (Trichopsis pumila) work? Would they be happy with the rest of my stock? The planting is copious but not particularly dense mainly Vallis and Spiral Vallis at present, I will be augmenting this with something along the lines of Dwarf Hair Grass for the forefront of the tank.

Any Thoughts?... Anyone?

 

[dthoffsett]

I don't know about the sparkling gouramis, but rasboras would look nice. They'll range mid to top, are very hardy, and appreciate some plants, but won't hide if there aren't many.

 

[scouse_andy]

A shoal of rummy nose tetra would look nice. They shoal tightly and are pretty colourful. Also Black Phantom Tetras are pretty cool fish. They hang around a lot and are an interesting shape and they're fun to watch the males displaying their fins to the females.

 

[Andypalf]

Firstly I'm very new to tropical fish keeping (about 2/3 months) but I can thoroughly recommend Yellowtail Rasboras. They don't have as vivid colours as many fish but are very sleek and slender. They shoal nicely and are extremely energetic. This can be seen as good or bad depending on what you're after. Feeding time is always amusing!

If I was in your shoes I'd look at Harlequin Rasboras and Leopard Danios (they've got beautiful fins).

 

[Gremily]

Have a look at glowlight tetras, they have a nice bright orange colour and are quite commonly available I think.