Rainbowfish

[kadkins20]

I have a small group of australian rainbowfish in my 45 gallon tank and was thinking of getting some more rainbowfish to really make a school and i wanted to ask a few questions.

First of all, is gender important, because if it is i dont want to spent a ton of money on some plain looking expensive females when i could buy some australian females for $2 a piece (i don't plan on breeding them)

Second, what are some other cool looking rainbows i might be able to buy for a reasonable price besides boseman's? (not that australian rainbowfish don't look fine, but i already have a few).

Last, are there any health concerns with other varieties? I know australian rainbows are very hardy, but i don't want to spend $10+ a fish if they are going to be likely to die - i have a weird water combination of soft water and high pH and i've noticed many fish prefer either high pH and hard water or low pH and soft water, but very few fish prefer my water.

 

[drobbyb]

Austrailian rainbows are mutts (hybrids) and are actually less hardy than their pureblooded cousins. As to which rainbows to pick, this would depend on availability and personal taste. That tank won't hold very many rainbows unfortunately. A group of 6 would be enough for that tank. If you have seen an adult rainbow you would understand why I say this.

Gender is important. If you aren't planning on breeding, then get all males. If you plan on mixing the sexes, you need to have more females than males.

It also should be said that if you aren't already doing 50% waterchanges weekly, you should start. The last thing you want is a tank full of sick fish due to lack of manitenance.