Suggestions?

[Kazman]

Hi,

We have a 125ltr tank, current occupiers are: 3 Red Robin Gouramis, 2 Paradise Fish, 4 Zebra Danios (and currently one Sucking Loach but sadly we're going to take him back to our LFS as after 6 months he is growing big and has started harrassing the Paradise Fish!). After we take him back has anyone any suggestions of a replacement(s)?. We will be buying 1 or 2 more Zebra Danios to keep the other 4 happy and to replace 2 that died.

We'd like something with a bit of colour and character?. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Ta

 

[Ferris]

Any of the smaller Pleco's would be good. A Bristlenose Plec would do a good cleaning job too, I note you don't have any bottom feeders so i'd focus on that area.....just a thought.

 

[Kazman]

We do have two little shrimps who I forgot (oops!)and they are very busy little bees, we will miss the algae cleaning ability of the loach as he is always very busy cleaning something (shame he doesn't stick to that and leave the other fish alone). I shall have a look at plecs now, would you recommend one on his own?.

 

[Ferris]

Plecs are generally better on their own and if its an algae cleaner you want, you can't beat a Bristlenose.

 

[Kazman]

Thanks - I read they're quite easy to tell the sex (males have more bristles?) any preference in behaviour between males and females?.

 

[Ferris]

No, nothing to choose between the 2. They are not agressive but also don't get stressed/bullied easily and are compatibile with most fish/tank setup's

 

[Kazman]

Would we be at full capacity then or can we add something else too?.

 

[Ferris]

You certainly wouldn't be overstocked and could probably add a small group of small tetra's like neons (4-6) or a couple of medium sized fish like dwarf rainbow fish. The only consideration would be the paradise fish as they can be fairly agressive but if you're not having any issues now, I wouldn't worry.

 

[Kazman]

Cool. Our Paradise Fish seem amazingly calm and keep themseleves to themselves so I don't foresee them being any trouble.
I think I'm being a bit thick I can't find any details of Dwarf Rainbow Fish in the fish index - are they known as anything else or what section are they under?

 

[Ferris]

Melanotaenia praecox, aka Praecox rainbow fish, aka neon rainbowfish, aka dwarf rainbowfish. They are stunning fish and i'm not sure the pics do them justice, they really do look great in the flesh (scales )

Try these links:

LINK 1

LINK 2

 

[Kazman]

Ahhh, yes they look nice, think I'll go along to my LFS and have a look. Thanks for your suggestions Ferris.