10 replies to this topic

[Delapool]

Hi all,

Present tank is 4ft long stocked with angelfish as centrepiece. The bottom is taken with loaches and catfish.

Mid level I have done well with rosy barbs, black mollies and rasboras. Tetras not so good.

Tank is planted co2 injection with ferts and liquid carbon dosing as well. Ph around 7.4 but co2 injection takes it under 7 each day.

Looking at adding a mid-level schooling fish if any thoughts?. Looking at something around 2 to 4 inches, hardy and kind on plants.

I have been thinking of cherry barbs or large danios. Also thought of hatchet fish and tiger barbs but not sure they could work if anyone has kept them.

[Jules]

Congo tetras, normally smallish fish do nothing for me but these gems are great, I have a school of 12 in my bichir tank atm, stunning fish. Add heaps of movement and colour and the finnage/body shape is gorgeous.

[Delapool]

Congo tetras, normally smallish fish do nothing for me but these gems are great, I have a school of 12 in my bichir tank atm, stunning fish. Add heaps of movement and colour and the finnage/body shape is gorgeous.

Hi, thanks for the reply! I do like the look of these.

Can I ask how you found them for life span and are they hardy at all? The tap water is soft Perth water but I dose ferts and liquid carbon which the fish have to put up with. For example nitrates are usually around 20 to 40ppm. Was just wondering if any issues.

Edited by Delapool, 21 April 2016 - 09:05 AM.

[Jules]

half the group I bought 2 years ago and there still going well, being sold and bought back off another PCS member.

must be tough, as I never test my water on any of my tanks, eat anything, have gone through temp swings when a heater popped.

[sydad]

It may be worthwhile looking at rainbowfishes, though whether they can be classed as schoolers is somewhat debatable. There is a reasonable selection of moderately hardy species originating both from New Guinea and Australia, and in the 50 to 120mm length range, and with diverse colouring (hence rainbow).

These also have reasonable longevity (some of mine have attained 7+years). On this topic, I also had, some years ago, a school of Congos that were about the same age, and were still spawning when i gave them away.

 

Syd.

[malawiman85]

Congo's are a nice schooling fish that add some action to any tank.

Not real exciting though.

 

Bows are a bit more interesting and there is a huge variety starting pretty cheap.

[Westie]

I tried the yellow tail congos, but found they were nowhere near as nice to watch as the normal congo tetras

Rainbowfish are definately a great suggestion. So under-rated here. 

[Delapool]

Thanks for the ideas, I'll check these out. Much appreciated on the replies as would never have considered these.

[kassysimon]

Colombian Tetras.

 

They school.

 

Are silver with a red tail.

 

And pretty active.

[LexAgate]

Hi, thanks for the reply! I do like the look of these. Can I ask how you found them for life span and are they hardy at all? The tap water is soft Perth water but I dose ferts and liquid carbon which the fish have to put up with. For example nitrates are usually around 20 to 40ppm. Was just wondering if any issues.

I thought I'd give this a reply as well, I would recommend the congos these guys are tough, I have had them in a horrible ammonia spike and I was away when it occurred so they could have been exposed to the ammonia for up to 2 weeks, I didn't know I even had the spike because they acted completely normal cruising around the tank eating everything looked normal, I have a test kit at home and give all my tanks quick checkup and tested that tank about 4 times because I couldn't see any reaction from the fish to those parameters, if you kill these guys you must have some skills, now hear me out I'm not saying they are bulletproof but there damn well close to it Dela!

[Delapool]

That's what I need The Clint Eastwood of fish.