Suggestions needed for next stocking...

Aashenfox

Hiya guys n gals,

So things are going well for me so far, and now I'm wondering what else I can put in the tank with teh the fish I have right now.

What would you suggest to go along with the following in a 30 gal...

3 Blue Ram
1 Red Tailed Black Shark
1 Common Pleco

I'm aware the shark and pleco will need rehoming down the line, this won't be a problem, but I need something colorful, active, mid to high tank that won't eat, or be eaten by, my other fish.

Any ideas?

sik80

a shoal of tetras or rasboras woulkd be the obvious choice. so many to choose from though....

whats your pH and hardness? this will make a difference to the best fish to keep

Aashenfox

My water is a bit hard for tetras, but the acidity is going down slowly. GH and KH are on the high side of middling, but not too high. The water is about 7.8 pH.

Again, I realise this is a bit high for tetras, but I wouldn't think far too high. Obviously the tank is on the warm side for the benefit of the Blue Rams (81F/27.2C)

I remember reading that between cardinals and neons, one is much hardier, but I can't remember which. The Rams won't bother the tetras, they are low tank, but I'm a bit worried about the shark, he's all over the tank all the time. He's still very small, but he's growing quick.

Aashenfox

How about Gouramis?

sik80

cardinal tetras prefer very low pH and soft water, whereas neons can tolerate higher pH. Neons prefer lower temperatures (24 degrees), so are not a good match with the rams...

There's some advice here about the best tetras for harder water: Tetra for Hard Water

Live bearers such as mollies, platies and guppies prefer harder water if you're interested in them.

Some gouramis may be ok in harder water. Check the tropical fish profiles (individual species are down the right): Anabantids