community tank additions

[Puck2700]

Hey! My wife and I have become fully addicted to keeping Aquariums. Currently, we have a tall 38.gal tank that has 12 Serpae Tetras and 9 Neons. We also have 6 Giant Dainos that we used to cycle the tank and now plan on giving back to the pet store as soon as we can catch them.

Our next addition is either going to be 6 Black Phantom tetras... or, if possible... 6 tiger barbs.

What I'm wondering is... what kind (if any) non-communal fish can we add to our tank. A single shark would be intersting... but I'm thinking that they would be too agressive for the neons...

[mitcore]

you could put a silver fin shark in there
they are non agressive and will live well with neons

[Dave66]

Hey! My wife and I have become fully addicted to keeping Aquariums. Currently, we have a tall 38.gal tank that has 12 Serpae Tetras and 9 Neons. We also have 6 Giant Dainos that we used to cycle the tank and now plan on giving back to the pet store as soon as we can catch them.

Our next addition is either going to be 6 Black Phantom tetras... or, if possible... 6 tiger barbs.

What I'm wondering is... what kind (if any) non-communal fish can we add to our tank. A single shark would be intersting... but I'm thinking that they would be too agressive for the neons...

Go with the phantoms. Tiger barbs are too active and feisty for the tetras, and in numbers under eight specimens, can be nippy as well.
In a 38 you could go with dwarf cichlids for your non-commonal. Apistogramma would be perfect, but they need an experienced hand with them. Kribs would batter and eat the neons, Rams like it too warm . . . if you can find/order them, Nannacara species would work. Look for N. anomala. You could also go with the Checker cichlids; Crenicara species. Very pretty when they grow up. Both species top out at 3.5 inches or so.

Dave

[markbob]

You might try some gouramis

[Puck2700]

Thanks for the info!

Will most likely go with the Dwarf cichlids since our next tank is going to be African cichlids.

[gem]

Just a heads up if you're thinking of putting those dwarf cichlids into the next tank with african cichlids.....they do not go together. Different water parameters, different temperments.....totally different species. Wasn't sure if that's what you were thinking...just thought I would mention it. I would agree with Dave66 on going with the dwarf cichlids (excluding Pelvicachromis Pulcher aka Kribensis) as your non communal. They are somewhat bottom dwelling and alot of the fish you have are mid to upper.

[Puck2700]

Its pretty much a guessing game at the local fish store. I bought what I though were two yellow rams... but I'm sure one of them is a jewel cichlid... Will this fish be able to go in the tank.. or should I bring him back...

Even if its not too agressive... it seems they need two diff types of water.

[Dave66]

Its pretty much a guessing game at the local fish store. I bought what I though were two yellow rams... but I'm sure one of them is a jewel cichlid... Will this fish be able to go in the tank.. or should I bring him back...

Even if its not too agressive... it seems they need two diff types of water.

If that's a Hemichromis bimaculatus species Jewel Cichlid, you've bought the most savage four-inch Cichlid you can buy. When breeding they are killers, when not, they are bad dudes. It'll happily kill your Ram.

Dave

[NickFish]

A nice Dwarf of Honey Gourami looks nice in any community tank. And they are both peaceful fish although the Honey is more peaceful than the dwarf.
About the jewel cichilds.....you might want to bring them back, as Dave said, they are very aggressive!
http://www.timstropicals.com/FreshwaterFish/AfricanCichlids/Jewel.asp

[SpaceBison]

I've got 2 red-eyed tetras and 3 red phantom tetras. They follow each other around and get along together. I suggest you get some there also fun to watch.