Iriatherina werneri Care.

[PheonixKingZ]

I am interested in adding some Iriatherina werneri’s to my 29g tank. It was recommended to me by @Colin_T. My LFS usually cary’s a lot of rainbow fish, so I’m guessing they would be able to order them. (Or have them in stock)

I do have a couple of questions...

• How many do I need to get?
• Will they eat Neon Tetras?
• What do they eat?

@Byron

(Current stock: [8] Neon Tetras, [5] Panda Cory cats, [1] Albino BNP, cherry shrimp, MTS, and BRH snails.)

 

[Essjay]

I don't know about stores in the US but those in the UK commonly only stock male I. werneri. I think I've only ever seen a tank of mixes sexes once. I was going to get some for my tank but by the time I'd set up my QT they'd sold them all. But the shop did have some lovely pearl gouramis so I got them instead.

They won't eat neon tetras because they are not big enough. They are only a bit bigger than neons. And they have very small mouths so they need small bits of food. According to Seriously Fish, they eat small crushed dry food, and small live/frozen food such as daphnia.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I don't know about stores in the US but those in the UK commonly only stock male I. werneri. I think I've only ever seen a tank of mixes sexes once. I was going to get some for my tank but by the time I'd set up my QT they'd sold them all. But the shop did have some lovely pearl gouramis so I got them instead.

They won't eat neon tetras because they are not big enough. They are only a bit bigger than neons. And they have very small mouths so they need small bits of food. According to Seriously Fish, they eat small crushed dry food, and small live/frozen food such as daphnia.

Wait... they are as small as Neon tetras? I imagined them bigger.

They may not work out for me... I wanted something bigger than my neons's. I was thinking about Honey Gouramis, but I don't know what their requirements are.

Is there a difference between pearl gouramis and sparkling gouramis?

(Edit: how many I. Werneri would I need, if I decided to get some?)

 

[PheonixKingZ]

@Byron, thoughts?

 

[Essjay]

I can't say from personal experience how big I. werneri actually grow but SF says 30 to 40 mm standard length - standard length is not including the tail. 30 to 40 mm is 1.2 to 1.6 inches. They have quite big tails, not included in that measurement so they look bigger.


There is a big difference between pearl and sparkling gouramis - their size.
Sparkling gouramis are around the same body size as I. werneri but pearl gouramis grow to about 4 inches.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Sparklers are tiny and Pearl's are big

The sparklers would definitely eat your shrimp though so I wouldn't reccomend

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I can't say from personal experience how big I. werneri actually grow but SF says 30 to 40 mm standard length - standard length is not including the tail. 30 to 40 mm is 1.2 to 1.6 inches. They have quite big tails, not included in that measurement so they look bigger.


There is a big difference between pearl and sparkling gouramis - their size.
Sparkling gouramis are around the same body size as I. werneri but pearl gouramis grow to about 4 inches.

Would pearl Gourami’s eat my shrimp? How many would I need to get?

I will call my LFS and ask about I. Werneri.

 

[Essjay]

Since I got my pearl gouramis my shrimp population has been declining, so yes, pearl gouramis eat shrimp. They also need a tank at least 36 inches long.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Since I got my pearl gouramis my shrimp population has been declining, so yes, pearl gouramis eat shrimp. They also need a tank at least 36 inches long.

Oh, bummer...

I was just asking @Byron on another thread: Would I be able to get any type of ram? I LOVE rams and it would be a dream to be able to get one.

I know there are some temperature problems that need to be addressed? Suggestions?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

What about a Bolivian ram? The lowest temperature they prefer is 75F. That is well within my tanks temperature.

 

[Byron]

I jut posted in the other thread, a Bolivian Ram might work, depending upon other fish. Not the common/blue in any of its varieties due to temperature.

 

[Colin_T]

Iriatherina get slightly longer than neon tetras but not much. They won't cause problems to the neons or adult shrimp but might eat baby shrimp.

There is an online fish store in the USA called wetspot or something, and they usually have them for sale. Get a group of at least 6 and preferably 10 or more. Get males and females. females have shorter fins and not as much colour, males get the big fins and do the fancy dance when displaying.

They eat small foods and love microworms and newly hatched brineshrimp. They will also take finely crushed flake foods, small daphnia and finely chopped shrimp and marine mix.

----------------
Don't keep pearl gouramis with neons or Iriatherinas because the pearls get big and will eat the smaller fish or eat the food and the smaller fish will starve. A 29gallon tank is not big enough for adult pearly gouramis.

Sparkling, honey and licorice gouramis would be ok with neons and Iriatherinas. However, if you want to breed the Iriatherinas, then don't have any tank mates because the other fish/ shrimp will eat the eggs and babies.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I jut posted in the other thread, a Bolivian Ram might work, depending upon other fish. Not the common/blue in any of its varieties due to temperature.

I only have cherries, neon tetras, panda corys, and an Albino BNP.

So a golden ram wouldn't work? Will they die if the temperature is to high? (I'm speaking of neon tetras. Right now, their tank is at 78F)

 

[Byron]

Fish are ectothermic so they depend upon the temperature of the water they live in to drive their metabolism. Paracheirodon innesi is designed by nature/evolution to function best in slightly cooler waters. As the temperature increases, they have a harder time of carrying out basic functions. This weakens the fish, making them more susceptible to other problems. If you want healthy fish, keep them at the temperature in which they will function best.

Temporary increases due to summer heat is a very different thing that permanently keeping the temperature at 82-84F which is what you must do for Mikrogeophagus ramirezi (any of the colour morphs).

It is the fishes' individual needs that matter, not what the aquarist wants.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I jut posted in the other thread, a Bolivian Ram might work, depending upon other fish. Not the common/blue in any of its varieties due to temperature.

You said depending on fish. I posted my stock above. Will Bolivian rams work? (If so, do I need 1? 2? A pair?)