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

[Byron]

Would you recommend i introduce say 6 Pentazona barbs first into the tank before adding up the rest at a later date?

No. When you are adding a new species that needs a group (shoaling/schooling), always try to add the entire intended group at the same time. With all species this will enable them to settle in much faster, which means less stress. Beyond this, some species do develop an hierarchy to varying degrees, and they will do this fairly soon after several fish are in a given tank. With some species who might have more intent behind this, adding more of them later can be problematic.

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

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

im sorry, but I need to correct this. Congo Tetras do better in groups of 12 or more. But they can go in groups of as little as three. They are not big, and not super aggressive to other fish. They are quite aggressive to there own time. I spent 200 dollars on them to try to find a group. I kept adding and adding, and at most, there were 10. They would kill each other, and be down to 3 dominant males. Eventually, I just left them, because the 3 dominant males were doing fine. So they can, in fact, go in 50g, but I’d say that’s the minimum. Do you speak with personal experience?

 

[Slaphppy7]

im sorry, but I need to correct this. Congo Tetras do better in groups of 12 or more. But they can go in groups of as little as three. They are not big, and not super aggressive to other fish. They are quite aggressive to there own time. I spent 200 dollars on them to try to find a group. I kept adding and adding, and at most, there were 10. They would kill each other, and be down to 3 dominant males. Eventually, I just left them, because the 3 dominant males were doing fine. So they can, in fact, go in 50g, but I’d say that’s the minimum. Do you speak with personal experience?

No personal experience with them, but know other fishkeepers who have them.
What size tank did you keep them in?
What other fish in the tank?
What is your theory on the deaths?

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

No personal experience with them, but know other fishkeepers who have them.
What size tank did you keep them in?
What other fish in the tank?
What is your theory on the deaths?

I currently keep them in a 55g With 2 Siamese Algae Eaters and a juvenile Delhezi Bichir. My theory on the deaths is they were trying to move up the pecking order, like cichlids, and they challenged the wrong fish. The fish nipped all the fins up, and my del probably ate them when they couldn’t move. They seem to like they’re tank. They really like flow, so I have a HOB filter on sideways. In bigger groups, in my experience, they will nip other fish, but only 3 is good. They nip the fins on del only a few times, and that was when they had over 6 in there group. The SAE’s arrived yesterday.

 

[Byron]

I carried out very thorough research on this species for a profile on another site. I did not come across any mention of aggressive behaviour. The following is from my notes:

Compatibility/Temperament: Very peaceful. Must be kept in a group of at least 5 but preferably 10-12 minimum; can easily become frightened otherwise. The male is the more colourful and a mix of equal male/female is perhaps best, though less of an issue than with many other characins. In spite of its larger size and being an active swimmer, this is a timid fish and should not be combined with boisterous tankmates. Not suitable with any fish likely to nip fins.​

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Floating plants are necessary to both reduce the lighting and to calm the fish. Filter current should be minimal.​

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There should be an open space along the length of the tank as this fish is a very active swimmer, remaining in the upper half of the aquarium.​

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Congo Tetra are easily frightened, and this can occur from sudden noises. They are sensitive to toxic compounds and cannot tolerate deteriorating water quality.​

I have kept this species twice, once in a group of 5 in a 55g (4-foot) tank, and the second time more recently as a group of ten in a 4-foot 90g tank. I have never seen even a remote indication that the fish would nip fins. This is almost certainly the work of other fish in the tank. Or possibly, if you actually saw a Congo Tetra attack another male physically, it was due to stress from either water parameters, water conditions, or other non-compatible fish. The males in my group would often swim "relays" in a pair, sidling up to one another in typical characin fashion, but never any physical aggression. The Polypterus delhezi would assuredly be suspected here. And certainly the SAE (Crossocheilus langei) if only two (it needs a group) though this fish was apparently added more recently so it wouldn't be suspected here.

 

[Slaphppy7]

I currently keep them in a 55g With 2 Siamese Algae Eaters and a juvenile Delhezi Bichir. My theory on the deaths is they were trying to move up the pecking order, like cichlids, and they challenged the wrong fish. The fish nipped all the fins up, and my del probably ate them when they couldn’t move. They seem to like they’re tank. They really like flow, so I have a HOB filter on sideways. In bigger groups, in my experience, they will nip other fish, but only 3 is good. They nip the fins on del only a few times, and that was when they had over 6 in there group. The SAE’s arrived yesterday.

Did you have 10 in the 55G, at one time?
All males?

 

[Slaphppy7]

I carried out very thorough research on this species for a profile on another site. I did not come across any mention of aggressive behaviour. The following is from my notes:

Compatibility/Temperament: Very peaceful. Must be kept in a group of at least 5 but preferably 10-12 minimum; can easily become frightened otherwise. The male is the more colourful and a mix of equal male/female is perhaps best, though less of an issue than with many other characins. In spite of its larger size and being an active swimmer, this is a timid fish and should not be combined with boisterous tankmates. Not suitable with any fish likely to nip fins.​

​

Floating plants are necessary to both reduce the lighting and to calm the fish. Filter current should be minimal.​

​

There should be an open space along the length of the tank as this fish is a very active swimmer, remaining in the upper half of the aquarium.​

​

Congo Tetra are easily frightened, and this can occur from sudden noises. They are sensitive to toxic compounds and cannot tolerate deteriorating water quality.​

I have kept this species twice, once in a group of 5 in a 55g (4-foot) tank, and the second time more recently as a group of ten in a 4-foot 90g tank. I have never seen even a remote indication that the fish would nip fins. This is almost certainly the work of other fish in the tank. Or possibly, if you actually saw a Congo Tetra attack another male physically, it was due to stress from either water parameters, water conditions, or other non-compatible fish. The males in my group would often swim "relays" in a pair, sidling up to one another in typical characin fashion, but never any physical aggression.

This is the more typical description, behavior wise, of Congo tetras that I have read while doing research...

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

Did you have 10 in the 55G, at one time?
All males?

6 originally, then I added more. I had 10 in the 55 in a single time, and it went haywire.

 

[Slaphppy7]

6 originally, then I added more. I had 10 in the 55 in a single time, and it went haywire.

Could have been from lack of space

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

This is the more typical description, behavior wise, of Congo tetras that I have read while doing research...

Google is not always the best. My description would be this:

Semi-aggressive tetra. When in groups of 12 or more, they need to have more males Than females. Once establishing a pecking order, they do fine. They like the flow to swim against, and they enjoy floating plants, but it is not a necessity. These fish are scared easily, so avoid running into your room looking for keys. They are Very stubborn and sensitive towards changes to there environment. They will not eat your plants. From veggies, to bugs, they will eat anything you throw at them. They are very sensitive towards Ammonia, and will die if There is more than .5ppm. They are also sensitive towards Nitrates. You should always keep your tank under 10ppm. Tank mates should include other semi-aggressive tetras, Small Bichirs, Eels, Small Cichlids, Small, peaceful catfish (Corys or Raphael), and fast-moving fish.

I tried to get a video, but I am struggling with an algae bloom. My Del has not been aggressive towards any of the fish, and knows his limits to catching them. He will not eat them or nip unless They are not moving. He didn’t eat my Corys.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Google is not always the best. My description would be this:

Semi-aggressive tetra. When in groups of 12 or more, they need to have more males Than females. Once establishing a pecking order, they do fine. They like the flow to swim against, and they enjoy floating plants, but it is not a necessity. These fish are scared easily, so avoid running into your room looking for keys. They are Very stubborn and sensitive towards changes to there environment. They will not eat your plants. From veggies, to bugs, they will eat anything you throw at them. They are very sensitive towards Ammonia, and will die if There is more than .5ppm. They are also sensitive towards Nitrates. You should always keep your tank under 10ppm. Tank mates should include other semi-aggressive tetras, Small Bichirs, Eels, Small Cichlids, Small, peaceful catfish (Corys or Raphael), and fast-moving fish.

I tried to get a video, but I am struggling with an algae bloom. My Del has not been aggressive towards any of the fish, and knows his limits to catching them. He will not eat them or nip unless They are not moving. He didn’t eat my Corys.

You do realize that bichir will be over a foot long when fully grown, correct?

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

You do realize that bichir will be over a foot long when fully grown, correct?

Yes

 

[Slaphppy7]

Once again, 4 foot tank, per SF

Polypterus delhezi (Armoured Bichir) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

Once again, 4 foot tank, per SF

Polypterus delhezi (Armoured Bichir) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

I know.

 

[dinpraad]

I went to my local fish acquatics to purchase the pentazona barbs but unfortunately they were out of stock for 2 weeks. I was taken aback to see the Keyhole Cichlid fish. Never seen them before but fell in love with them. Wanted to know whether these species will fit in my set up or not and if so how many i can stock up. Can I later introduce the pentazona barbs with them as well??Just curious