FishProfiles.com Message Forums

In my 55g I have:

8 head and tailights
4 rummynoses
8 corydoras sodalis/trilineatus
5 panda cories
3 yoyo loaches
3 ottos
1 BN
1 Angelfish
1 German Ram

I have an Aquaclear 70 filter. The tank is planted. The temp stays at 80F now, but I may lower it to 78F.

I want to add more mid-top swimming fish. My tetras all stick together and the angel stays in the middle.
I would add more Rummies, but I can't find them anywhere and the last place I ordered them from, they all died...so it may take me awhile to find some. I plan on eventually adding 4 more though.

I don't want to add anymore head and tailights. They are great fish, but I don't want anymore. They aren't that pretty and if I could I would get rid of them and start over with just Rummies...but I just can't do it. So that is not an option.

I know another group of schooling fish will make the tank look crazy, but I don't care. It already looks crazy with the small number of rummies and the tetras schooling together. I want more action at the middle-top area.

I thought about Harlies...I was going to add them to my 29g, but decided not to. Would they look ok with the tetras I already have? The only red I have are the rummies.
Or what about black neons? Are they exciting at all? I know they are bigger than regular neons, so the angel wouldn't be a problem.
I don't have anymore suggestions. I want to get more fish this weekend and may just have to see what I can find.

What would you add?

-Kristin

*Kristin*

i dont have any fish sugggestion but you should get a bigger aqua quier (as my mom calls it) filter. i use a 110 for my TANK AND MY WATER STAY REAL CLEAN

ph:%)

>>>----> <----<<<

pnh

My water stays pretty clean...except for algae...which has nothing to do with the filter.

I have lots of bottom feeders and need more top fish.

Do Harlies sound good to anyone? Or what other kind of tetras do you suggest...like what are your favorites?

*Kristin*

How about Marbled Hatchet Fishes?

They'll provide some top level action no problem. Only thing is you'd better keep them covered - they ARE freshwater flying fishes after all!

If you're looking for something different on the Rasbora front, and want something that is drop dead gorgeous colour wise, look out for Rsbora vaterifloris, the Sri lanka Fire Barb (yes, they're called that here in the UK despite the fact that they're not Barbs but Rasboras - they're more Barb shaped than the 'typical' Rasbora). These fishes are a blaze of colour if you can find them - but finding them will be your hardest task! Once you DO find them, however, they'll be relatively hardy and should go very well in your 55G.

Failing that, an easier to obtain Rasbora that is seriously undervalued is Rasbora borapetensis, known either as the Red-Tailed Rasbora or the Black-Lined Rasbora. The base colour is a translucent straw-yellow,, with a silvery-blue iridescent belly. Along the body, a two-coloured line runs from the gill cover to the caudal peduncle - the lower half of this line is black, the upper half brilliant lemon-yellow. The fins are clear, with the exception of the tail, which is an orange-red colour. A fish of distinction in any aquarium!

Alternatively, you might give Checkerboard Barbs a look-see. Adults can be separated gender wise because the males have more of an orange tint to the body than the females (which are more greenish-yellow in hue) and the males have much more obviously coloured fins.

if you're looking for something really different, try Rivulus kilies! Several species to choose from, though be warned that they are rocket-propelled jumpers that need to be VERY well covered! Avoid Rivulus strigatus, the Herringbone Rivulus, as it's a touchy species that requires stringent attention to water chemistry and cleanliness, but apart from that, most of the other Rivulus are OK - Rivulus pictus "Goiaz" is another drop dead gorgeous fish that looks as if it belongs in a marine aquarium! Another lovely species is Rivulus rubrolineatus "Quista Cocha", and Rivulus sp. "Mahdia" is a lyretailed Rivulus that looks like it should be one of the Fundulopanchax Killies - and it's a total BLAST in the colour department!

There you go - some ideas you probably weren't expecting!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

There you go - some ideas you probably weren't expecting!

You are right!

Those are great ideas...I will see what I can find. All the LFS's in the area have pretty much the same fish. I haven't been fish shopping in a while so some may have different species by now.

*Kristin*

I would wait till you find some Rummynose Tetras. They are really beautiful Tetras &amp; their colours are superb.



http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos
http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buzaqq/
http://www.deathbydyeing.org/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

I know I should wait...but I would only get 4 more so that my schools would be even. I will still get 4 more, but not until the spring, when this LFS gets them. The lady said they only order them in spring and summer because they are sensitive...I guess that works for them. I will get more then.

I went to the LFS today and got 5 Flame Tetras (Von Rios) and another angelfish. I was supposed to get 7 Flames but the lady only put 2 in the bag so I'll go back next weekend and get the other two (plus one or 2 more). I got a black veil angel...very beautiful. I couldn't help myself and I will watch to make sure they get along ok. I picked one that looked pretty calm in the tank and I watched it awhile to make sure I didn't see it go after the others. It is about the same size as the one I have, so maybe they will get along. My angel is very calm towards my tetras.

The Flames are schooling with the other tetras. I am sure they are pretty nervous with 2 angels in the tank, but hopefully they will get used to it.

I am getting more plants this week to add more cover.
If the angels don't get along I can move the black one to my 29g (it is in mid-cycle though so I hope they get along).

Pictures will come soon. :%)

edit: Oh and Cali...they had only one hatchetfish so I didn't get them. I would have though...if they had more.

Last edited by GirlieGirl8519 at 21-Jan-2006 17:18

*Kristin*

Pictures...not very good ones though.

Here are my 2 angels...the black one is the new one. Please excuse the algae...it will be the death of me I believe...


Here is a fuzzy picture of the flames. They won't be still so I couldn't get a clear picture.
[/font][/font]

*Kristin*