Rainbow Roomies - help plan my stock?

SueK

Hi,

I have a school of 7 dwarf neon rainbows in a 20L that are about to be upgraded to a 46 bow. What other fish could I have with them?

It'll be a planted tank, so no plant eaters.

Thanks for any advice. I'm a former salty and find fresh compatibility very confusing.

Sue

volkspider

Some suggestions: Dwarf chain loaches, zebra loaches, royal tetras, golden barbs, panda corys. Just depends on your preference; you have a lot of options with dwarf rainbowfish.

SueK

Thanks! I'll look these guys up.

I tried a giant plakat betta - he was considerably bigger than the rainbows. They never went near him, but their activity made him a nervous wreck and I lost him - broke my heart, he used to let me pet him. So, I tried a Paradise Fish. The LFS guy was a huge fan of them and assured me he'd be fine with my rainbows. Not so much - he attacked, he lives at the LFS now.

So, I'm a bit gun shy.

I'll have to go to the store and watch some loaches. I'd like something that is a bit quieter, activity wise, than the rainbows. Any more fuss in that tank and it won't be relaxing to watch!

I've thought about an angel fish, is that an option? I wonder if it would limit my choices from there too much.

volkspider

Angelfish are probably not a great idea; they tend to eat things that are under an inch and a half (which your rainbowfish are probably close to). For NDRs you probably want to look at either somewhat-active bottom dwellers that they will largely ignore or other peppy community fish with relatively short fins. Ideally, they should prefer medium-hard water like the NDRs, a neutral pH, and temps 75-80 F.

Noahma

I have 6 of these busy little guys. I also have 7 Zebra Danio's (the partners in crime) They get along together great. there are also Neon Tetras, Glowlight Tetras, Amano Shrimp, and Cherry shrimp. The shrimp are fine with them, they do not pay any attention to them or the baby cherrys. The tank is pretty busy with the Rainbows and the danios, along with the calmness provided by the tetras. These are in my heavy planted tank.