29 Gallon Tank Rainbow themed tank

[ClarkJ]

Hi Fishlore, I'm looking for some suggestions for my 29 gallon tank. I'm going for a rainbow theme so I'm looking for brightly colored freshwater fish that could comfortably live together in a community tank of this size. In particular I'd like fish that have iridescent colors. Right now I have 6 Celebes rainbowfish in my tank and they're doing fantastic but I might be moving them into their own species specific tank, depending on how the stocking of this tank works out. I was looking into cobra guppies but my LFS advised against them because the celebes might nip their fins, so it seems like they're only an option if I do move my Celebes. I like the look of the German Blue Ram and a German Gold Ram and am interested in getting one of each, but I've never kept rams before. Any suggestions on if this would work and other fish that could work in my 29 gallon? My tank is fairly newly established so I'm not in any hurry. I have a mix of plastic and real plants and driftwood/tank ornaments that offer plenty of hiding spots for fish. I keep the tank heated to 80 degrees F and I tested it this morning with my API master kit and it's reading 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 - 10 nitrate. Thanks in advance for ideas!

 

[BigManAquatics]

Keep in mind german rams do best at around 82-85 degrees if you want that as part of your stocking

 

[alexk77]

Hi! One colourful fish that definitely came to mind straight away is the honey gourami. They look like dwarf gourami, but are a slightly different species, and are quite small. Dwarf gourami are also very colourful, they come in many different colours but my only caution if looking at dwarfs is that they are very susceptible to disease due to their high demand and overbreeding. I’ve lost tons of dwarfs, which is why i recommend the honey gourami because I’ve read they are more hardy, and they’re peaceful as long as you don’t have more than one male in the same tank. If you’re unsure on how to tell the sexes apart, i’d suggest you get one.
Blue rams are gorgeous fish, i’ve never kept them before but i do know they are a more peaceful cichlid species, but could still get territorial in the size of tank you have. Someone can correct me if i’m wrong on this, i’m not sure what fish to suggest that are compatible with blue rams. I do believe the honey gourami has more options as to what fish are compatible with them since gouramis are more peaceful than cichlids according to my readings.
I hope this helps!

 

[LeahsTank]

Just make it a rainbow only tank. There are so many rainbows. And they are all beautiful,

 

[Bettatakeover]

I love my honeys. They are in with cardinals (bright blue/red). I recently purchased 2 male a. Australe killifish that are bright orange. You could do a pair of peacock gudgeons (for pink) or female betta (unlimited colours). Some albino cories that will pop if your substrate is dark.

 

[Fishstery]

Praecox rainbows! They have a larger body than other rainbows but are considered "dwarf". The males have gorgeous red fins with an iridescent pearl blue body. I had a group of 8 in my 29 and they were so active and fun to watch. The females are just as pretty but have a orange tinge to their fins instead of cherry red.

 

[ClarkJ]

Thanks for the suggestions so far! Time to do some googling research and then I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

 

[ClarkJ]

Just an update, I added a dwarf gourami and some praecox rainbows and I'm THRILLED with the tank! I call it my subtle rainbow tank because when the fish swim under the light, they become even more beautiful. The tank is a very peaceful but active community.

 

[Fishstery]

Just an update, I added a dwarf gourami and some praecox rainbows and I'm THRILLED with the tank! I call it my subtle rainbow tank because when the fish swim under the light, they become even more beautiful. The tank is a very peaceful but active community.

I'm glad that you are enjoying the praecox! That's why I suggested them, I loved keeping them, they were super easy and very pretty and active