Which fish to add next?

[KarlosFandango]

My 80 gallon (uk) tank has been running really well for the last six months. All the tests are coming out fine and all the plants are doing very well.

As it's been running so well I've decided to add some more fish. At the moment there are five cory's, a sailfin plec, two clown loaches and about 8-10 swordtails of different sizes(randy little devils). The tank is quite deep, at 24 inches so there is plenty of swimming room. There are also two Fluval 404's running so it has a reasonable current across about a half of the tank and plenty of filtration.

I quite like the idea of a shoal fish but something eyecatching, and also something that will be of interest in the middle of the tank.

Cheers

 

[Raechal]

I would try to pick up two more clown loaches as they like to be in groups of atleast 4.

You could also try a large school of cardinal tetra, they look beautiful when they shoal around a larger tank.

 

[KarlosFandango]

I keep meaning to get some more loaches but they are tricky to find. I did have more but the stress of moving tanks wasn't good

When I've had shoaling fish before the damned things would just do their own thing, are there any breeds that shoal more than others?

 

[Raechal]

I keep meaning to get some more loaches but they are tricky to find. I did have more but the stress of moving tanks wasn't good

When I've had shoaling fish before the damned things would just do their own thing, are there any breeds that shoal more than others?

Yea. What did you have before? Neons? They are a shoaling fish but once they get comfortable with the tank they will often venture out on their own and do whatever they want. Until they get scared again and shoal together until they feel comfortable.

I am not sure if cardinals shoal better than neons though. I am sure someone will come buy and help you out more than I did. )

 

[KarlosFandango]

No worries, I had some white cloud mountain minnows years ago and lemon tetras. As you said once they settle in it's a free for all to all corners of the tank Perhaps there's something I can put in to keep them on their toes. Hhhhmmmm, how about an oscar, that'll do the job

 

[Raechal]

No worries, I had some white cloud mountain minnows years ago and lemon tetras. As you said once they settle in it's a free for all to all corners of the tank Perhaps there's something I can put in to keep them on their toes. Hhhhmmmm, how about an oscar, that'll do the job

An oscar wouldn't keep them on their toes he would keep them in his mouth.

What kind of shoaling species are you interested in anyway?

 

[KarlosFandango]

Other than the 101 different tetra varieties I can't think of much else that shoals. I don't want anything very big, the smaller the better. At least that way I can get away with having a larger shoal.

 

[FrAnK3333]

Clowns like to be in groups of 3 but the more the better.

 

[redtailblackshark]

^ I think he is right, clown loaches need to be in a group of at least three, preferababally more. I have 8 loaches in my 100 gallon tank.