JennDFK

I have a 55 gallon tank. Currently I have 3 rainbows (2 goyder river, 1 Parkinsoni). I was just wondering how many more rainbows I should/could stock? I also have a RTS in the tank... and I was thinking that I might also like a small school of tetras or threadfin rainbows in the mix.

Jenn

alicem

I assume your 55G is 48" long. You could put more rainbows in, be sure to have good filtration.
I like to double the amount recommended and the rainbows don't mind extra flow.

Oops, I don't know what a RTS is...sorry...that could make a difference.

As you know, there are different sizes of rainbows, so the X number is relative to that.

The rainbows that you currently have will max out at about 4-5", so you probably could add 3 to 5 more in that size range.

Then if you added some threadfin (max size around 2") in a group of 8-10 would be pretty.

Or, if you added some Celebes (max size around 3") then a group of 6 would be neat. Try to get all males or if not then 2 males and 4 females.
The female celelbes aren't quite as pretty but are still very nice looking.
The males are constantly showing off for the females and this way it will let some females get a break.

I think you need to add them slowly, for example 3 of the larger ones or the school you choose, and see how the tank fills out.

Let's see if there are more opinions and options for you from the others.

hth,
alicem

JennDFK

Sorry a RTS is a redtail shark. I think that they max out at 5-6 inches.

Thanks for all the interesting input.

Jenn

alicem

Oh sure, Jenn, now I get it.
Sorry, I'm not very good at acronyms, (unless I'm using them )

A RTS is a pretty fish.
Would it eat the little schooling guys when it gets bigger, or will it stay toward the bottom?

A neat tetra, that I've been eyeing lately, is the congo tetra. A school of 8 would be showy in your tank.
They get around 3-4" so that may cut into the numbers in your collection of larger rainbows...
http://ipt.boisestate.edu/awmarker/0b5ce820.png

Well, enough from me.
alicem

JennDFK

WOW the congo tetras are amazing.... I was sad to read that they need soft water to thrive and our water is about as hard as it gets...

I don't think that RTS eat small fish all that often. They are just territorial and will go after species that look like themselves. I think other sharks or fish that have a similar body shape or coloring are a no no with them.

I know what you mean about acronyms... I'm the same way.

I think that I am going to get 3 more rainbows in a week and a half... and then think about adding some threadfins. I will probably see how the tank looks after that and go from there.

It is really hard to judge what they will all look like when they are full size. The goyder river rainbows I bought are already getting big, but not full size... but the parkinsoni is still pretty small.

Thanks again,
Jenn

alicem

Sounds like a good plan, I'm excited for you.
From what I've seen of them, when mature the Parkinsoni will look fantastic.
Good luck and have fun!
alicem

JennDFK

Well I added some threadfins... and to my horror... the other rainbows took one look and thought.... LUNCH. One disappeared while I was trying to figure out what to do. I had 5left and I moved them to my hex tank with my platies. I had to move the killifish out of the hex and into the 55 until I can figure out what to do with the threadfins (they would definitly eat them). Two more of the five have died since the move (they had pretty bad fin damage from the attack). Now I need to decide what to do. The killifish seem happy enough with the rainbows... but that is not really what I had in mind. I really loved them as centerpiece fish in my hex with the platies and otos. I guess I'll have to find a home for the threadfins... but the poor guys have already been through so much that I don't really want to move them again.

alicem

Jenn, oh my gosh! It must have been terrible to see!
I'm so sorry the other rainbows went after the threadfins like that.
Naughty bows!
And here I was worried about the RTS.
Did you add the 3 larger rainbows that you had planned to and then this group?

Sheesh, the poor little guys...can you let them grow a little in your hex?
Are the killifish capable of eating them too, so you moved them out?
Since there are only 3 threadfins the bio load added shouldn't be much.

Unfortunately, I've had a bad experience with threadfins lately, too.
While changing water I turned my back for a second, one must have gotten suctioned up and is gone.
Tiny little things...

I feel pretty bad suggesting them to you...I'm really sorry this happened.
alicem

JennDFK

Don't feel bad... you didn't suggest it. It was in my original post as my main stocking idea.

I don't really know what to do... The threadfins certainly have a little growing to do... but so do my other rainbows. I'm worried that no matter how big the little guys get they will still look like lunch.

The killifish I have are a male and female golden wonder... they are bigger than the average killifish and according to their profile they can eat a small guppie. The threadfins are much more delicate than a guppie so I'm guessing they won't mix well.

I'm sure I will figure it all out. Thanks for your post.

Jenn