jprime84

Looking for a middle swimmer species for my new larger tank. I really like the pristella tetras that I got. The always hang out together and very attractive. I had read that many species of tetra can be fin nippers, and I want to avoid that happening with my gourami. Recommendations? I would like something with color. Does not necessarily have to be a tetra.

Lucy

My cardinals never bothered my Dwarf Gourami. I've never seen them nip anything, not even each other.

jprime84

The LFS I go to has some cardinals in a not-for-sale display tank. They are beautiful. Unfortunately they only have neon tetras for sale. I will check around for cardinals.

What about cherry barbs?

Lucy

I've never had Cherry Barbs, so I can't say if they'd be ok or not.
When I had neons they were pretty nippy.

Jaysee

Cherry barbs are wonderful! I highly recomend them.

jprime84

I like the look of loaches and RTS, but I already have plenty going on in the substrate level with the cories and the pleco. Plus there is the potential for aggression in a RTS.

Jaysee

The cherry barbs will also be able to handle the killi. I think they're a great fit. I have gold barbs with my pearls, which are just like cherry barbs but bigger.

jprime84

Do the cherrys display some good color when its not time to mate? Do they school closely like the tetras?

Jaysee

Barbs in general don't tightly school - cherry barbs are loose schoolers. They ALWAYS display color cause they always want to mate. The males range from a bright red to a darker blood red, while the females have a different coloration. The school should be split evenly m/f, or a couple more females than males.

heather84

We had neons---they were good but they died

We now have cardinals, they are nice to have. They never bother my other fish (even babies that i just put in there)

We also have silver tip tetras, I heard people say they are nippy but mine arent AT ALL I think people confuse them with serpea or whatever it is.. And they are really pretty i think when they get bigger.

jprime84

What about swordtails?

Diggly

Cherry barbs seconded or thirded here!! very peaceful fish and get a strong current going to watch them play in it!! hours of fun for you and them!

wilkinson7133

congo tetras are great i have 4 and chase each other all day and show fantastic colours, a RTS is great but just remember nothing smaller that it and anything slow must be alot bigger. Barbs are fantastic i had a school of 8 tigers which died off slowly now i have 3

redlessi

I just got some neons and I took about 2 hours acclimating them. They are beautiful and have not gone after any other fish in my tank. They have not even tried to eat any of the fry, I got 6 and they stay together mostly. Good Luck

AlyeskaGirl

I have Black Neon Tetras and Gold Tetras with a DG. No nipping. I recommend Cherry Barbs too. They are one of the peaceful Barbs with no nipping.

RedRumBetta

I have black skirt tetras and they've never touched my bettas fins plus the black skirts are fun to watch, it's like they play tag with each other.

harpua2002

Von Rios play well with others and would add a nice splash of color. Black neons are a great choice as well.

Jaysee

I have orange von rios and LOVE them. I think they are a terrific tetra that is overlooked a lot of the time.

Neji

Cherry barbs do nip fins all barbs do so I've heard.

aquarist48

http://www.fishlore.com/profiles_rummy_nose_tetra.htm
I had the Rummy Nose Tetras a long time ago and loved them. So peaceful! Never bothered anyone. I love their little red faces and the black and white striped tails.
Profile link above.
Happy Holidays!
Ken

Jaysee

Cherry barbs nip at each other, but not other fish. Same with gold barbs. It's how they determine pecking order and who gets to mate. Tigers are the only barbs I've kept that went after other fish just for fun.

ruky00o

my columbian tetras get along with my blue gourami realy well

ryanr

My glowlight's were awesome with my DG.

They school quite well, very peaceful, enjoy a bit of a current...

For some unknown reason, most tetras do well in odd numbered schools (i.e. 5,7,9 etc)

Neji

I've heard about that too. Oh, and I found out that Buenos Aires Tetras can be a bit fin nippy too.

LyndaB

Cherry barbs are notorious nippers amongst themselves, unless they're in 30 gallons or more. That was my personal experience.

Serpae tetras are not nippy and are quite pretty.

Red eyed tetras are constantly going after each other, some macho thing. They'll go after other fish, too.

Cardinals, very peaceful and beautiful addition to any tank.

Jaysee

I think most, myself included, would disagree. Mine 9 nipped everything in the tank with them, which is why they're with tiger barbs now

LyndaB

Really? Wow, that's amazing to me, having seen the behavior of my own. Then again, I had a very peaceful betta sorority and almost everyone else has had a horrid experience with that. Not sure what that says about me.....

Jaysee

Says your LFS sells some mellow fish

midthought

This would be my suggestion. My rummies are great and school beautifully.

Also, this thread is pretty old...happy holidays?

chunkdaddy

I've got 8 Buenos Aires Tetras and they don't bother my zebra danios at all. They're excellent schooling fish. Just have to be sure to keep them well feed.