Fish recommendations

Byron

Just to keep up with what we talked about in PM's for others' benefit, an excellent companion to angels are any (except Serpae) of the Rosy Tetra clade of the genus Hyphessobrycon. Many of these, at least the commonly-seen ones (there are 30 different species in this one clade alone) are included in our Profiles; use the scientific search and check out the Hyphessobrycon species, the fish that belong to this clade are so identified within the text.

Byron.

LisaC144

Thank you for all your help, Byron.

LisaC144

Well, I gave my 5 black skirt tetras back to the LFS and got 7 Bleeding Heart Tetras. It was between that and the Red Phantom Tetras (those are the 2 they had in stock from the Rosy Tetra clad). After doing a bit of research, I found out that the Red Phantom likes cooler temperatures and I keep my tank at 79 degrees. Well let me tell you, I am loving the Bleeding Heart Tetras. It is exactly what I was looking for in terms of shape and size so they didn't blend in with my Cardinals (who are quite stunning). The two schools are very distinct and I love the color that the Bleeding Heart Tetras bring to the tank.

On a side note, I still love the rummy's and they will definitely be at the top of my list if I ever get another larger tank (more WHEN than IF ). I just didn't want the same shape tetra as my Cardinals for the reason stated above

eileen

I have a 55 gal. community tank also. I keep the temp. at 72 degrees. I have 2 angelfish, 2 bushy nosed plecos, 11 Von Rio Congo tetras, 6 Harleqen Rasboras, 2 Boesmani Rainbows, 12 Assassin snails, 4 Bumblebee Platies that are going to be moved into a new 20 gal. tank with 5 espe's rasbora tetras and 1 short fin brown busynosed pleco. I think that turning down the temp to 72 would be alright if you do it slowly from what you have it set at. I have pool filter sand in my 55. gal and a black background and the colorful fish look great against it and so does the live plants I have in my tank.

I'm glad that you were able to exchange the blackshirt tetras. I used to have them and I did not like them as they were sort of mean to my other fish. I also like the Glo-light tetras that I had in that tank but I rehomed them to a friend to get the Von Rio Congo Tetras.

LisaC144

That's the whole reason I traded in my black skirts. They seemed okay with the other fish (would sometimes brush up on the angels) but were somewhat agressive/nippy towards each other. I didn't like that. I'm going to keep my temperature at 78/79. The fish seem to be content with it and I like the Bleeding Hearts anyway.

I love the Glo-Light tetras as well. They have some really nice coloring to them. I will consider them if/when I get another tank, but wanted something that would stand out against my Cardinals as well. I think the Bleeding Hearts do just that. I am very happy with them.

Angel079

I can only back up the idea of the Rummy's as we talked about before WHEN you get another tank. Unfortunately they look pretty discolored in stores but once added to a nicly plantd tank ideally dark substrate man their colors stick out I LOVE my lil gang (10 of them) and time again again its interesting to watch how when you have a small group (remember how the initial stock didn't fully make recovery from the ich?) small group they tent to hide a LOT you up the group to 10+ and have a nice school swimming peacefully around the tank. I actually am considering to stock mine up to a larger group like 15 maybe. They're so gentle and pretty I love them

LisaC144

Oh that would be really nice! I hear ya about them hiding when in a smaller school. I had 7 Cardinal Tetras which were somewhat active but stayed in the back of the tank a lot and when I increased the school to 11 it made a HUGE difference in them. Now theyare all over the place and it really looks beautiful.

Angel079

I will try Cardinals one more time as well the initial purchase when down the drain (literally) but I'd love to have a larger school of them as well. But that would then be it for my 45g stocking

Markieemel

Rams are nice :)

LisaC144

I say give the Cardinals another shot. I LOVE them. A nice school of them in your tank would look awesome!