Looking For Dither Fish Ideas From You Tetra, Barbs Guys....

[mattlee]

i have a post in the new world section but was wondering what ideas you guys over here had to throw my way.....

i have a 4ft 240L 55G tank housing a group of 6 cichlasoma ornatums and an electric blue jack dempsey. all the fish are currently between 2.5-3.5 ish inches so are still small at the minute. my problem is that they are very skittish even after having them for 3-4 months. they are wild caught fish so im sure this has alot to do with it but as soon as i go near the tank they all hide away and see me as a threat

so what im looking for is a group of 6-8 fish that will occupy the mid-top half of the tank to use as dithers and hopefully give the all clear that the tank and surroundings are safe to the ornatums. i have been looking at colombian tetras at an lfs that are a decent size and at £12 for 6 a good price too would these suit my needs?

other choices are gold, rosy, pentazona, tiger barbs etc but it seems that barbs prefer cooler temps and my tank is at 27-28 degrees.

the fish chosen will be in with cichlids so need to be able to withstand the occassional nip etc and may only be a tempory tank mate for the cichlids unless they can get on together once the ornatums have grown a bit. also for obvious reasons nothing like cardinal tetra shaped fish as they will become lunch in time, so fuller bodied fish only please.

so what are your ideas?

 

[walkers101]

just thought what about hatchets?

 

[mattlee]

just thought what about hatchets?

im not sure with 2 externals that they would enjoy the quite fast flow at the surface

can anyone advise on hatchets?

 

[Davo86]

Buenos Airies, Colombians, Black Phantoms or Blind Cave fish

 

[Carlovel1]

Hatchets are small and will probably get eaten.

I recommend Silvertip Tetras. They are nippy and aggressive and horrid little monsters but they may work in your tank

 

[mattlee]

Buenos Airies, Colombians, Black Phantoms or Blind Cave fish

i think it will be colombian tetras. the ones i saw yesterday were a good size and a good price and they fit the bill nicely. ill get them tomorrow

 

[njstockley]

Buenos Airies, Colombians, Black Phantoms or Blind Cave fish

i think it will be colombian tetras. the ones i saw yesterday were a good size and a good price and they fit the bill nicely. ill get them tomorrow

hi matt

been following this one as looking for dithers for my new set up...do you reckon you can get a pic up of the shoal when you get them? i still cant work out whether colombians have enough colour and activity in the group...thats why im toying with the idea of tiger barbs too...just slightly worried about my sev's fins if i introduce them?!

nick

 

[mattlee]

Buenos Airies, Colombians, Black Phantoms or Blind Cave fish

i think it will be colombian tetras. the ones i saw yesterday were a good size and a good price and they fit the bill nicely. ill get them tomorrow

hi matt

been following this one as looking for dithers for my new set up...do you reckon you can get a pic up of the shoal when you get them? i still cant work out whether colombians have enough colour and activity in the group...thats why im toying with the idea of tiger barbs too...just slightly worried about my sev's fins if i introduce them?!

nick

yeah no probs but they will look better when they have settled and in the ornatum tank. they will be in quarentine for 2 weeks in a seperate tank before i add them in with the ornatums though.

 

[Carlovel1]

Buenos Airies, Colombians, Black Phantoms or Blind Cave fish

i think it will be colombian tetras. the ones i saw yesterday were a good size and a good price and they fit the bill nicely. ill get them tomorrow

hi matt

been following this one as looking for dithers for my new set up...do you reckon you can get a pic up of the shoal when you get them? i still cant work out whether colombians have enough colour and activity in the group...thats why im toying with the idea of tiger barbs too...just slightly worried about my sev's fins if i introduce them?!

nick

Go for the Colombians, as matt said, they get their stunning colouration once settled and mature. Or if you want tiger barbs, then get some Pentazona Barbs, the more peaceful alternative

 

[Davo86]

Provided you don't have a Blue background, Colombians can have a subtle yet stunning appearance

heres an old pic showing some nice colour

 

[mattlee]

purchased a group of 12 colombian tetras today. settling in at the minute but looking great

ill get some pics up tomorrow.

 

[mattlee]

here they are. sorry about the poor pics

 

[njstockley]

i count 12? are you happy with them? know you havent had them long but looks like they are shoaling well. how are the colours in real life?

going to have alook around the shops near me this weekend, still undecided between these / pentazona barbs.

 

[mattlee]

i count 12? are you happy with them? know you havent had them long but looks like they are shoaling well. how are the colours in real life?

going to have alook around the shops near me this weekend, still undecided between these / pentazona barbs.

yes there are 12 as they were doing a great deal on 6.....

i only got them yesterday so they still look a bit washed out but they should colour up a bit better in a few days.

they do shoal well so far and look real nice in this size group. they do seem a bit fiesty but only amongst themselves