Type Of Tetra

[Jamie24]

Right guys, I'm in a slight dilemma that I'm looking for help in: I basically want a type of tetra or indeed schooling fish that needs to meet or be close to a certain criteria which is.

1. The tank is a Aquaone 620T which some will know is only 61x42x72cm so the fish needs to be relatively slow/not as active as some.

2. Needs to be bigger than your average Neon in case I decided to keep an Angel fish in the future, I don't want to have to get rid of the tetras.

3. Can accommodate a wider range of PH as I'm very keen to keep a Bolivian Ram.

4. Possibly colourful but not important.

I have done some research and apart from the Emperor Tetra which actually isn't much of a schooling fish I've come up short.... I've ruled out Neons (to small) Silver tips (Active & Nip) Zebra Danio (Need bigger tanks) Galaxy Rasbora (to small)

Don't ask about water parameters as the tank is not set-up as I'm still in the possible stocking of it at the moment but don't worry a full cycle will be done and a test kit has already been purchased.

Thanks in advance.

 

[This Old Spouse]

You really need to do lots more research. Bolivian Rams and angelfish should not be kept together. Angelfish should be kept in a tank that's at least 24" tall. And as for "a wider range of pH" that's bad for any fish.

Kudos for doing the research now before you get set up. But keep asking! I'm sure more experienced fishkeepers will chime in soon.

 

[Jamie24]

You really need to do lots more research. Bolivian Rams and angelfish should not be kept together. Angelfish should be kept in a tank that's at least 24" tall. And as for "a wider range of pH" that's bad for any fish.

Kudos for doing the research now before you get set up. But keep asking! I'm sure more experienced fishkeepers will chime in soon.

I would have researched the Angel and Ram before putting them together (The Ram would win for me) My tank is 28 inch tall anyway so the Angel would have been fine according to tank size but thanks for your input.

Regarding the wider PH I've seen fish described as for example 6.0-7.2 is that false then ???

 

[mrp3]

+1
For the tetras I'd get cardinals they are slightly larger than neons have a nice red and blue color aren't too active and they are shoaling fish that like groups of 5 or more

 

[Jamie24]

+1
For the tetras I'd get cardinals they are slightly larger than neons have a nice red and blue color aren't too active and they are shoaling fish that like groups of 5 or more

Did look at Cardinals but just thought they were to popular kind of thing, like everyone has them, I've found out now the Angel fish won't be going in the tank so the size no longer matters apart from fitting within the tank size that is.

Are there any tetra that can't/shouldn't be kept with Bolivian Rams ??

 

[mrp3]

Than maybe some bleeding hearts or black skirts

 

[This Old Spouse]

A resource I've used often is this fish compatibility guide. It's not the do all, end all chart, but it's beneficial for generalities.

 

[minnnt]

Can you elaborate on your reasons that Bolivian Rams can't be kept with Angel fish?

OP, the tank isn't big enough for Angel fish anyway... And is probably a little too small for Bolivians too. Maybe a smaller species like an Apistogramma would be a better choice imo.

Most American species of Cichlids and Tetra's prefer an acidic ph, so you shouldn't need to alter your water chemistry once you have achieved this.

Bleeding Hearts get too big for this tank and the Black Skirts can be nippy if not kept in a large enough shoal. Look into Harlequin Rasbora's, Glowlight Tetra's, Rosy Tetra's etc. They're pretty easy going and have a nice colouration to them.

 

[Jamie24]

Can you elaborate on your reasons that Bolivian Rams can't be kept with Angel fish?

OP, the tank isn't big enough for Angel fish anyway... And is probably a little too small for Bolivians too. Maybe a smaller species like an Apistogramma would be a better choice imo.

Most American species of Cichlids and Tetra's prefer an acidic ph, so you shouldn't need to alter your water chemistry once you have achieved this.

Bleeding Hearts get too big for this tank and the Black Skirts can be nippy if not kept in a large enough shoal. Look into Harlequin Rasbora's, Glowlight Tetra's, Rosy Tetra's etc. They're pretty easy going and have a nice colouration to them.

Thanks for the advice, I did have a feeling that the Bleeding hearts were too big as they seem to be chunky fish rather that long, I would really love two Bolivians and you've disappointed me saying my tank isn't big enough but I'll live... You have however opened up another minefield in the Apistogramma stakes, does this include fish such as the Cockatoo Cichlid ??? As long as there colourful and peaceful I'm willing to give them my time of thought.

 

[onidrase]

I'm curious as to why bolivians and angels can't be put together, myself. Every websiteI've read say bolivian rams are excellent angelfish tank mates. People on this forum have also recommended angelfish for my tank that has bolivians in it.

I'm gonna have to agree that bolivians and angelfish are a bit too large for your tank, though.

 

[minnnt]

Yep, the cockatoo cichlid is certainly included. Bolivians can attain a decent size when adult so this has to be taken into consideration. Apisto's stay fairly small so they will be fine imo. Some smaller species of Cories should also work.

 

[Jamie24]

Bleeding Hearts get too big for this tank and the Black Skirts can be nippy if not kept in a large enough shoal. Look into Harlequin Rasbora's, Glowlight Tetra's, Rosy Tetra's etc. They're pretty easy going and have a nice colouration to them.

Liking the look of the Emerald Rasbora I've just found, only an inch big tho when adult apparently so would have to choose any bigger fish carefully i presume.

 

[minnnt]

Should still be ok with the apisto's, but you would have to get adult rasboras... Copper harlequins?

 

[Tizer]

Im actually going to go against most of the advice given so far, the 620T is a perfectly good tank for a pair of Angels, its a very tall tank and if anything, its purpose built for them. A pair of bolivian rams would also find it perfectly acceptable and they will live comfortably with the Angels. Also, the first tetra that jumped into my head was the bleeding heart. All three of these fish are what i term as "lazy". They do a lot of hovering and very little fast swimming. The way the tank is contructed with the filter in the hood means that the filter wont stress out any of these fish, but being so deep you "might" get poo settling on the bottom so i would be tempted to add half a dozen mid sized corys to provide some movement down there, im not saying they eat poo, they will simply disturb it and cause it to float around to the inlet.

 

[Jamie24]

Im actually going to go against most of the advice given so far, the 620T is a perfectly good tank for a pair of Angels, its a very tall tank and if anything, its purpose built for them. A pair of bolivian rams would also find it perfectly acceptable and they will live comfortably with the Angels. Also, the first tetra that jumped into my head was the bleeding heart. All three of these fish are what i term as "lazy". They do a lot of hovering and very little fast swimming. The way the tank is contructed with the filter in the hood means that the filter wont stress out any of these fish, but being so deep you "might" get poo settling on the bottom so i would be tempted to add half a dozen mid sized corys to provide some movement down there, im not saying they eat poo, they will simply disturb it and cause it to float around to the inlet.

We had a slight conversation on another thread about the compatibility of the Bolivian Rams with Cory's (I'm getting possibly 8-10 Panda's) Everything I've read seem to suggest the Bolivians only need a tank with my width and length. Also everybody says that Angel's need a certain height tank and as far as I'm aware mine is one of the tallest I've seen, there of course will be taller but I just haven't seen them so was very puzzled when told my tank wouldn't be good enough... Anyway were all entitled to an opinion but seen as I'm a beginner I just take on board what the experienced folk think.

Going back to the tetra doesn't the Bleeding heart get quite chunky ?? it needs to be something comaptable with Panda's and Bolivians but I'm also conscious about the space in the tank, yes it's tall but not the longest as you know so was thinking smaller tetras, would like something colourful that shoals well for the middle tank space.

Straying slightly off topic do you think a powerhead is a good idea with this tank keeping in mind also the type of fish ???

Once again though great feedback