Congo Tetra, Torpedo Barbs and Pentazona Barbs decisions in a 200 litre tank

[dinpraad]

I am thinking of choosing one these fishes to add to my community tank.
I currently have a 200 litre tank which comprises of 2 Honey Gouramis, 6 Colombian Tetras and some Corydoras. As i want a second set of shoaling fishes i will appreciate some advise on what to settle with. Anyone have experience or know if either would work out?

 

[Byron]

What are the dimensions of the tank? And water parameters (GH and pH here).

 

[Guyb93]

I’d personally stay away from the Congo tetra , big big tetra and also very similar to the Colombian tetra

 

[Slaphppy7]

I’d personally stay away from the Congo tetra , big big tetra and also very similar to the Colombian tetra

Sounds like the OP already has them, but yeah, that's only a 54 USG tank, congos need 75G minimum

 

[dinpraad]

What are the dimensions of the tank? And water parameters (GH and pH here).

L:100cm x W:40cm x H:55cm (H:126.5 cm with cabinet)

 

[dinpraad]

Sounds like the OP already has them, but yeah, that's only a 54 USG tank, congos need 75G minimum

no i dont have them yet. was just considering them

 

[Slaphppy7]

no i dont have them yet. was just considering them

My mistake....

 

[dinpraad]

I’d personally stay away from the Congo tetra , big big tetra and also very similar to the Colombian tetra

right thats something i have learnt today about their minimum requirements

 

[Slaphppy7]

right thats something i have learnt today about their minimum requirements

See here: https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/phenacogrammus-interruptus/

 

[Guyb93]

You could look at smaller tetra and have a larger group I personally like the ember Tetra could have a decent sized group in a 200l

 

[Slaphppy7]

You could look at smaller tetra and have a larger group I personally like the ember Tetra could have a decent sized group in a 200l

Embers are great little tetras, but just that...little...might get lost in a 54G.....Colombians would work, as well as many others (phantoms, rummynose, glolights, pristella, emperors, to name a few)

But we still need to know GH and KH, as @Byron inquired

 

[Byron]

The tank length is a prime consideration here, so now we have the dimensions [and leaving aside the parameter issue] and dealing with the species initially mentioned, I would rule out the Sahyadria denisonii (the "torpedo" barb) which needs a group of 8-10 and being more active and larger, at minimum a 4-foot (120 cm) length tank. I know it is just 20cm difference, but that can be significant especially with a adequate-size group of active fish.

The Phenacogrammus interruptus (Congo Tetra) similarly would be better in a 4-foot minimum tank; A group of 10+ is best, and the males do seem to like doing relay races with two, sometimes three of them, and I had mine in a 3-foot tank temporarily (re-working the 4-foot 90g) and that was clearly pushing things for them.

The Hyphessobrycon columbianus would be better with a few more, say 8-10, so if you like this fish, I would add maybe 3-4 more. It will make a difference. Same (getting more) might hold for the Corydoras too, but no info is given on numbers.

The Desmopuntius hexazona (your "pentazona" barb) suits the space; a group of 9-12.

 

[dinpraad]

Wow thanks for that detailed breakdown.
Will explore if other possibilities. Will a Bosemani Rainbow fish work with this setup?

 

[dinpraad]

The tank length is a prime consideration here, so now we have the dimensions [and leaving aside the parameter issue] and dealing with the species initially mentioned, I would rule out the Sahyadria denisonii (the "torpedo" barb) which needs a group of 8-10 and being more active and larger, at minimum a 4-foot (120 cm) length tank. I know it is just 20cm difference, but that can be significant especially with a adequate-size group of active fish.

The Phenacogrammus interruptus (Congo Tetra) similarly would be better in a 4-foot minimum tank; A group of 10+ is best, and the males do seem to like doing relay races with two, sometimes three of them, and I had mine in a 3-foot tank temporarily (re-working the 4-foot 90g) and that was clearly pushing things for them.

The Hyphessobrycon columbianus would be better with a few more, say 8-10, so if you like this fish, I would add maybe 3-4 more. It will make a difference. Same (getting more) might hold for the Corydoras too, but no info is given on numbers.

The Desmopuntius hexazona (your "pentazona" barb) suits the space; a group of 9-12.

I currently have 3 peppered Cory's and 3 Albino Cory's. Would you recommend 1 of each in addition?

 

[dinpraad]

The tank length is a prime consideration here, so now we have the dimensions [and leaving aside the parameter issue] and dealing with the species initially mentioned, I would rule out the Sahyadria denisonii (the "torpedo" barb) which needs a group of 8-10 and being more active and larger, at minimum a 4-foot (120 cm) length tank. I know it is just 20cm difference, but that can be significant especially with a adequate-size group of active fish.

The Phenacogrammus interruptus (Congo Tetra) similarly would be better in a 4-foot minimum tank; A group of 10+ is best, and the males do seem to like doing relay races with two, sometimes three of them, and I had mine in a 3-foot tank temporarily (re-working the 4-foot 90g) and that was clearly pushing things for them.

The Hyphessobrycon columbianus would be better with a few more, say 8-10, so if you like this fish, I would add maybe 3-4 more. It will make a difference. Same (getting more) might hold for the Corydoras too, but no info is given on numbers.

The Desmopuntius hexazona (your "pentazona" barb) suits the space; a group of 9-12.

Yea I do like the behaviours of the Colombian tetras so might get 2 more over the weekend