Question about Serpaes

[FishEnthusiast]

Hi,

I currently have 5 Serpaes in my 55G tank with one large angel. I have heard that Serpaes are very nippy fish(Although the LFS recommended them even after I told them I didn't want nippy fish, I trusted him and bought them). I have not seen them going after the angel very often, but I want to add other fish, and I don't trust them to leave the smaller fish alone.

Right now they spend most of their time schooling at the back of the tank and the angel sticks pretty close to the front. Every so often they do go after the angel, but he fights back and the swim away with out doing any damage(at least that I can see)

What I am wondering is, will being in a larger school help them to calm down? I am willing to put more in the tank. I really like the look of them, but I don't want them to nip at the other fish, so I am hesitant to buy more. If having more won't solve the problem, I am afraid I will have to take them back to the LFS. What is the best course of action for me to take? BTW, I want to add 3 female and 3 male Boesmani Rainbows and one Turquoise Gourami and possibly one Dwarf Gourami to the tank, will these be incompatible with the Serpaes? Thanks for your input.

 

[Ferris]

I've never had a nipping problem with Serpae's, they chase each other around but I'm surprised about the Angel, that's the wrong way round . 5 is a decent enough schoal, keep an eye on them but I think the angel will be able to take care of itself.

Your other fish choices look good except for the Gourami and dwarf Gourami, thats a risk, the dwarf could get picked on, not impossible though just thought i'd point that out.

 

[FishEnthusiast]

I have thought about the dwarf gourami, I have another 20G that he is in right now, I am probably going to leave him there.

My angel pretty much leaves the Serpaes alone, unless they chase his fins, then he fights back. Hasn't done any damage though.

Thanks for your input

 

[Lateral Line]

I have always found Serpaes to be nippy. I'd certainly be wary of putting them in with slow swimming trailing finned fish.

 

[FishEnthusiast]

I have decided to put the serpaes in my 20G with my buenos aires tetras. My 20G is currently my QT tank, which is clean, my 55G is in the last stages of ich. Once it is gone, I am going to move the serpaes(they are the ones with the ich, not the angel for some reason). Of course I am going to have to buy a new QT tank now, but that's ok, I love my fish.