Red1313

The title is pretty much the question. I haven't had my tank set up very long and I'm looking into getting a larger one. I've read that rainbow fish tend to be good tank-mates for Red-tail black sharks (my one fish at the moment). I'm still in the planning stage so was wondering if you guys good give me some ideas. One site says that rainbows need to be in groups of at least six, another says nothing less then 10. I was hoping you could let me know what the minimum would be and tanks sizes as well (since nothing I can find says anything about that).
I was kind of thinking maybe banded(? I think that was the right one) rainbows.
Anyway thanks.

voiceless_kat

hi Red. By a series of conicidences, I am the owner of Splendida Rainbow and Preacox rainbow fish. My tank is a 36g corner bow front. Right now I have 3 Splendida, all of them are about 4 inches and 3 baby preacox - all about 1 1/4 inches ( they will grow to 2in). The Splendidas are about full grown.

I was told I could prob have 5 of the big guys, but I am holding off right now since the tank is just recently cycled, and everyone seems to be happy.

I just looked up banded rainbow, and it gets to be the size of my splendidas. They are awesome looking. However, now that I see their size, I wouldn't suggest a tank smaller than 30g and no more than 4 of them in that size. And I do 20 - 25% water changes weekly since I am stocked a little heavier. You really have to stay on top of the water changes if you are fully stocked, cuz things can go bad very quickly.

I also have read rainbows like to go into a maturely cycled tank - I took a huge risk, but I used Bio Spira to cycle with them. I would not suggest you put them in a very recently cycled tank, but I am just basing that on what I have read.

My groups of 3 seem fine, always moving around and together most of the time, so I think 3 is good. But I have found with most schooling fish, 3 is good, more is always better - the fish act way differently ( closer to how they would be in nature, I am thinking) and are such fun to watch. The same way the larger the tank, the better.

I have mine with corycats and bristlenose pleco which stay small. ( and a couple of apple snails).

You may have already done so, but if you Google Banded Rainbow, lots of info comes up.

Good luck with your choice, and I bet someone with more rainbow experience than I will come on and give you more info.

Val

Butterfly

I'm sorry if I missed it somewhere- what size tank are you putting them in? I have Threadfin Rainbows and three or more seems to work best. Rainbows need lots of swimming room so take that into consideration when buying. Good Luck !
Carol

Red1313

I haven't decided on a size yet. I don't want to go huge because I'll have to move that tank back home at the end of the school year so I was thinking a 10 or 20 gal tank for now.

Butterfly

A ten would be too small for Rainbows even the small ones. A twenty would be ok for the smaller ones like threadfins(Iriatherina werneri ) or P.furcatus for example. I personally wouldn't put more than three in that size tank though.
carol