Advice On Future Additions Please:)

[razberri]

Hi,

I have a 65L tank, sparsely planted.

1 x Betta
5 x black neons
2 x julii catfish
1 x western pygmy perch
1 x mystery snail

The tank is looking a bit bland and empty - all these pale coloured fish (white, black, brown, slightly blue, and the fighter is even pink - used to be white).

I'd love to get a couple of feature fish - something big(ish) and colourful. I'm in love with flame dwarf gouramis but am not sure about teaming then up with a fighter. I do have a smaller tank available so I suppose I could always move the fighter to his own tank if he doesn't get on well with gouramis, but I'd rather have just the one tank running, and the fighter seems to enjoy company (he got sulky when he was alone for a while).

Any suggestions??? All welcome

 

[catfish101]

u really should have at least 6 black neons

 

[tyyrlym]

Both the neons and the corys would be much happier in a larger group.

 

[Hawkins]

neons are known for fin nipping, and bettas have very long fins. you might be lucky and they could get along..

 

[shelaghfishface]

i could have sworn that said future addictions!! hmmmm

 

[jimmyringo]

i could have sworn that said future addictions!! hmmmm

Im going to have to recommend Guinness again.......as much a medication as an addiction

 

[razberri]

u really should have at least 6 black neons

Both the neons and the corys would be much happier in a larger group.

I would like to add more neons and cories actually. I'm still trying to decide if I should get a couple more black neons or if I should maybe get 4 of another kind. I just haven't figured out if they would school together or not. I did see plain neons and rummy nosed's schooling together in the shop yesterday.
As for cories - I was considering getting 2 more of a different species (maybe the ones beginning with s I think.. that are like the inverse of a julii, or trili or whatever you want to call it. Black with white spots buts imilar shape)

neons are known for fin nipping, and bettas have very long fins. you might be lucky and they could get along..

I thought most neons would be safe, that's why I got them. But you're right, they were nippy But only for a few days, they don't go anywhere near my fighter any more, he put them in their place Everyone so far gets along The fighter did actually get sulky and much less active when he was left in the small tank with no friends the last two days!

 

[razberri]

*bump*!!!

Does anyone ave any suggestions at all?

 

[tyyrlym]

In a tank that size once you bulk up the neon and cory shoals you're going to be just about as stocked as your tank can manage.

 

[razberri]

But should I get the same species of neons and cories or can I have different kinds? I love variety so would love to have maybe 4 rasboras or something, and then 2 cories of a different kind, and maybe even 2 more of another.

But would they be happy like that? Or would they prefer big groups of their own species?

 

[tyyrlym]

Get the same kind. I've heard of some people having neons and cardinals school but most seem to prefer their own kind. Same thing for corys.

 

[ALW]

Yes get the same species, so about 3 more Neons and 3 more Corrys at least!

 

[razberri]

Oops! I only just realised I originally posted I oly have 2 black neons when I actually have 5! Of course I'd never have only 2 schooling fish! Oops haha. Maybe I should get one or two more so I have the recommended minimum of 6.

Well it looks like the next addition will be a pepperd cory. My partner went away on holiday and came back to an almost empty tank (the cory being the sole surviver). The power had been cut for a week and the housemates don't know much about fish so didn't realise they'd freeze. So sad At least I can give the poor cory a good home.

So maybe I should get 2 peppered and one more julii (tirli)? Have 3 of each.

Though my partner says it's not worth getting the peppered friends as he probably doesn't have much life left. He's been seen swimming upside down a lot before. My partner's actually quite surprised he's the one who survived the wintry water.