Rainbow Fish

[spectrum]

Couple of questions about rainbow fish, I really like the look of them but i'm not sure my tank is suitable.

I've got a 29 gallon tank, currently home to a lot of bristlenoses, although im hoping to sell them on so essentially it will be empty when im considering new fish.
The tank is quite heavily planted, although very low tech (no CO2 or fertilisers, just an 18w bulb) so there is plenty of cover and hiding places, there are also a few pieces of wood, all lfs bought (mostly mopani). I just tested the pH; it's almost bang on 7.0, although I tested the untreated tap water here and that's more like 6.5.
I've looked online at rainbows and it seems my water conditions would be okay for them (correct me if i'm wrong) but im more concerned about their size, maximum sizes seem to vary from 2-5" and im not sure my tank will be big enough when they grow out. I like the look of pretty much all of them, and a couple of different species would be nice, although if they require single species shoals that's fine.
Im pretty much open to suggestions for types and numbers, although if they aren't suitable ill just accept that and look at alternatives

Opinions much appreciated

P.S. What are online fish-ordering sites like in terms of reliability and fish health etc?

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

I was randomly visiting Heiko Bleher's site (http/www.aquapress-bleher.com/) this morning, as I do from time to time, when I came across a biotope combo of smaller Rainbowfish... Namely Dwarf Neon (Melanotaenia praecox) and Forktail Blue Eye (Pseudomugil furcata), very doable in a 29 gallon, I would have thought.

 

[alan3513]

I keep Dwarf Neons and Pseudomugil furcata together in a 36(l) x 12(D) x 10(H)inch tank and Pseudomugil Gertrudae and Threadfin rainbows together in another tank the same size. I took advice from a rainbow forum that said the first two were more boisterous than the second two and would be a better mix. This seems to be the case and three of the four species have spawned successfully.

 

[thereverendturtle]

I keep Dwarf Neons and Pseudomugil furcata together in a 36(l) x 12(D) x 10(H)inch tank and Pseudomugil Gertrudae and Threadfin rainbows together in another tank the same size. I took advice from a rainbow forum that said the first two were more boisterous than the second two and would be a better mix. This seems to be the case and three of the four species have spawned successfully.

Agreed.

Oh, I don't know what online retailers are like in the UK, but do your research and its just as good as or better than a lfs.