Ideas For Dithers In The Ornatum Tank

[mattlee]

yeah i guess they are still young fish. ill have a spare cycled tank in 2 weeks so ill look at maybe getting a few barbs or something in quarentine for a few weeks then add them with the cichlids and see if it helps. if not ill sell them on and keep the ornatums as they are

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Perhaps Rhomb Barb, Golden Wonder Panchax or "Debauwi Catfish" (P. buffei)?

 

[Wills]

I have lemon tetras with a 7 inch Heros Severus and a 4 inch Nicaraguan not had any issues with them. I would go with Columbians to be fair

Wills

 

[hamfist]

Also think about where in the water you want your dithers to swim, as all these species have there own preferred levels. The colombians, for example, always seem to settle in the bottom half.

 

[Timmy_Bee]

Have you thought about buenos aires tetra? they are a bit bigger, and i think they look fantastic!

If you do buy barbs and they dont get on, let me know! could always house a few more... But i really think a group of 6+ should be fine

 

[mattlee]

Also think about where in the water you want your dithers to swim, as all these species have there own preferred levels. The colombians, for example, always seem to settle in the bottom half.

ideally i would want the dithers to swim mid-top of the water column. this way, i hope, it will give the ornatums the all clear to come out a bit when im around

 

[mattlee]

maybe i should have added that the ornatum tank is set at 27-28 degrees so from my research is this too hot for barbs?

it seems that they prefer cooler temps around the 20-24 degrees from websites ive been on

i saw some really nice colombian tetra at an lfs yesterday and they are a decent size and at £12 for 6 a good price too

they also had some great looking rosy barbs but im worried that the tank will be too hot for them.

im off to get some fish tomorrow so any last minute ideas would be welcome.

 

[scouse_andy]

What about Buenos Aires Tetra? They get a little bit bigger than columbians and should be able to handle the temperature in your tank ok.

 

[mattlee]

What about Buenos Aires Tetra? They get a little bit bigger than columbians and should be able to handle the temperature in your tank ok.

i have had a few of these in the past and they were very nippy which kind of put me off them tbh. the last thing i want is for the dithers to damage the cichlids in any way which is why i am also put off by tiger barbs although i really like them

 

[mattlee]

how about a group of young bala sharks?

pair of GBR's?

 

[bonzo]

how about a group of young bala sharks?

pair of GBR's?

Bala sharks get very big and ugly. When we first got cichlids we had some balas from original stocking and I cant explain why but they just took the whole look of the tank

 

[mattlee]

how about a group of young bala sharks?

pair of GBR's?

actually forget the last 2 ideas im just thinking out loud

 

[mattlee]

Red Rainbowfish (Glossolepis incisus).....?

 

[minxfishy]

Temp is a little high for rainbows, 25c being top for them, having said that Ive managed with rainbows upto 27c but not for a prolonged period. Id go for the colombian tetras, somewhere on this thread I think said they stay near the bottom, I never found that myself with them, top - middle was where my group of 10 used to stay.

 

[mattlee]

Temp is a little high for rainbows, 25c being top for them, having said that Ive managed with rainbows upto 27c but not for a prolonged period. Id go for the colombian tetras, somewhere on this thread I think said they stay near the bottom, I never found that myself with them, top - middle was where my group of 10 used to stay.

i do think it will be the colombian tetras tbh. they were a good size and price too.

middle to top is perfect and just what im after. how many would you go for? the reason i wanted just a few (6) is so the ornatums get a chance of some food too as i know what tetras are like when food is in the tank i know the bigger the group the better, maybe 8-10 will be about right.....