tadpole

Hi All

I've just finished cycling my tank (fishless) and I am slowly starting to add my fish.

Initally I wanted to put some apisto cichlids in the tank, but after doing some research I thought these fish might be too difficult for a newbie such as myself to keep. I'm really not interested in aggressive fish, or fish that are going to breed.

Anyhow.....my neon rainbow fish were on my list as they were compatable with the apistos. I added 6 yesterday and I want to keep them as they are a nice looking fish.

I am leaning towards putting some tetras in my tank
Dimensions 92 x 35 x 55cm/36" x 14" x 22
Volume 177 l./39 gal. (46.76 US gal.)
Probable volume 159 l./35 gal. (42 US gal.)

I like the looks of the Colombian Tetra, Ember Tetra, and the Red Eye Tetra. I also like the looks of some of the barbs, and I would love to add some panda cory's.

I'm wondering what my neon rainbows are compatable with, and how many other fish I can put in the tank? I would like a lot of colour in my tank if possible.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance for your help on this

Butterfly

Neon Rainbows are beautiful Personally I would add the Corys first and let the rainbows get used to their space before adding anything else to that level of the tank. Observe how fast the rainbows swim and feed then when you add something else add something that swims and eats about the same speed. Rainbows are known to have small throats so cannot eat big pieces of food and by adding something that eats about the same way they do they will get plenty to eat. Was that confusing? I know what I'm trying to say but doesn't seem it came out right
Carol

Peterpiper

Hi and welcome to fishlore,....

capekate

Hi Tadpole and welcome to fishlore!
I love the peaceful rainbows myself and have had a number of them in my tanks from time to time. They get along with just about every species and will mostly swim in the top level of the tank. Ive had them in with Angel fish, Discus, cardinal tetras, German Blue Rams and now with Bolivian rams and there is no problems at all.
My suggestions would be that I would think that you can add some rummynose tetras, bleeding heart tetras, the Emperor tetra and the gorgeous Columbian tetra with no problems,including the cory cats.

sirdarksol

General stocking guideline is one inch of adult fish per gallon.
Neon Rainbows get to be 2" (12)
Cory Pandas get to be 2" and should be in a group. I would say at least three. Some people would say at least six (6-12)
Colombian Tetras can get aggressive with smaller fish, according to the Fishlore stats on them. Though they grow about 2", it looks like they are a bit more heavily built than a normal 2" fish. Unsure of how they would deal with your neon rainbows, cories, or embers.
Red Eye Tetras get to be 3", and should be kept in groups of 5 (to avoid fin-nipping) (15)

So with your neon rainbows, six cories, and the Red Eyes, you'd have a full tank.

If you put less cories in the tank, you could put some ember tetras (I'd do six) in the tank. They grow to about 1.5", if I recall correctly, and with their body mass, they probably count for less, so you could probably do your rainbows, three cories, five red-eyes, and six embers.

Whatever you stock the tank with, be sure to go slow. Only a few fish at a time, to allow the nitrifying bacteria a chance to keep up with the increasing bioload.

Oh, and Welcome to Fishlore!

tadpole

Hi Gang

thank you very much for your warm welcomes and encouraging advice.

I am stocking my tank with no more than 6 fish at a time, approx 7-10 days apart. I figure slow and steady wins the race.

I was looking at my LFS supplier's website, I can get Ember tetras but it doesnt look like they have Red Eyes or Colombian tetras. I'll just have to ring around and see if anyboy has them.

As per butterfly's advice, I will add the panda corys next in a group of 6.

I'll keep you update on the progress.

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore. Good luck with setting up your tank.