capekate

Ok... have a question for all...
In my densely planted 29g tall tank, I have 2 angels and 6 serpae tetras. I really would like to add a few more fish. Schooling fish are nice.. I saw a new tetra (for me) at the LFS. They said they just came in. I said, your pulling my leg.. these are small angels right? He assured me they were not. They are a french sounding name, that began with S__? almost sounded like sharpai...tetra. Anyway.. they look just like miniature marble angels and were so cute. Anyone hear of them?
Any suggestions on a good fish species to add to my tank I'd like to go down tomorrow sometime and check the tanks out.
Thanks so much! * *~ kate

COBettaCouple

I've not heard of that kind of tetra. I'd say go with small guys as that 29g is nearly full.

Neville

hi capekate, how r u? Ummmm, no, never heard of any tetra that looks like angels, i think they r baby angels, tetras r the best small schooling fish, u can add any species of tetra in your tank. but i think it's better if u don't add any more fish, because angels r a bit territorial and they may become a little aggressive if u crowd them.

ecnaj143

Sounds to me someone is messin with you. I could be wrong tho, but we haven't heard of them. (Doesn't mean they don't exist tho).

You could go with some black skirt tetras, some Albino tetras(not glass) are good too. I have a few of them and its cool. You can see their bones.

Bonochick

I would get a couple more tetras, even if they are a different kind. They might be fine schooling with the serpaes. I have a black skirt, two white skirt, and two red eyed, and they school together.

Luniyn

I would say that your mid to upper part of your tank is covered with the fish you already have. I would say get some Cory Cats to liven up the bottom of your tank. As for the mystery tetras, I think the pet store guy was just mispronouncing "Serpae" tetras, and or course didn't have a clue that they were probably angles... that's my guess anyway

ecnaj143

If your gonna go bottom tank, get 2 clown loaches. They are so funny to watch. Mine likes to eat from the top of the tank, so he swimms upside down on the surface of the water to eat, but clown loaches are awesome!!

Bonochick

She only has a 29 gallon tank though. Clown loaches need more room.

ecnaj143

I have 2 in a 20 gal and their very happy. Had them for almost a yr. Their doing good.

Bonochick

Clown loaches can get to be 12" long, so people suggest keeping them in larger tanks.* Unless you have another tank you can put them in if they reach their full potential in size.

ecnaj143

Not all loaches get that big. mine are at full size. Their not gonna get any bigger.

Scientific Name: Botia macracanthus
Family: Cobitidae
Origin: Indonesia, Sumatra, Borneo
Adult Size: 6 inches in captivity
Social: Peaceful schooling fish
Lifespan: 15+ years
Tank Level: Mid, Bottom dweller
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallon

Bonochick

I was just going by the Fishlore profile. They say 12" and a 55 gallon tank.

You have 2? You only have 1 listed in your sig, so I was just curious.

ecnaj143

Its been months since I was last on here. I should add the little guy to my sig.

Bonochick

Gotta keep people updated.

ecnaj143

Done deal!!!

Luniyn

Ecnaj143, it looks like you got that from About.com. They tend to have the wrong sizes listed for a lot of their fish. Botia macracanthus is their old name and they've all been classified under the Cobitis macracanthus name now it seems. And most of the sites all say 12" in captivity and up to 20" in the wild. This site is usually pretty right on with their info. A few other sites say the same as well, (like this one, and this one)), so just thought I would mention it.

ecnaj143

Well, tell that to my fish who are happy as can be and only 5in and don't seem to be growing.

Luniyn

That last page I linked had this to say:
So it would seem you are right in the slow down phase, but in the future you may or may not get some more growth. If you don't that's great, I just wanted to let you know that there could be more growth in the future for those guys.