Do the following fish sound Ok for a 46 gallon aquarium?

[EmmanuelJB]

This is what I want my aquarium to have-
8 Bosemani Rainbows (Already Have 4)
1 Dwarf Gourami (Already have the 1)
6 Cory Cats (Already Have all 6)
8 Tiger Barbs
6 Harlequin Rasboras
4 Bleeding Heart Tetras (Already have these but will not be replacing when they die)
1 Rubber Pleco (Already Have it)

Tell me what you think!

[Lady Hobbs]

I would leave out the barbs and the corys (since you have the pleco).

[EmmanuelJB]

I already have the corys and I really wanted the barbs in the aquarium because I know I can't have them in my angel fish or my betta aquariums. Is there anyway the tiger barbs would work? If they were in a school of 8 would they bother as much?

[190MPH]

Rainbows really need a tank with a 4' long footprint. So I really wouldn't add any more to what you have. I have them in a 72g bow and they use every bit of the length. Honestly, I think you are already well stocked for a 46.

[EmmanuelJB]

So I can't even get some tiger babrbs?

[Jacko]

IMO, I'd look at dwarf neon rainbows to mix with your school of boesmani, rainbows don't seem to segregate due to species like tetras do. So 4 boesmani and 4-6 praecox would look great IMO.

I'd also drop the Tiger Barbs, never had good experience with them and I'd hate to have them stress out the rainbows to the point that they don't look as vibrant as they should. They don't nip rainbows IME, but they're dang belligerent. They might also cause problems for the bleeding hearts and the dwarf gourami.

So you're looking at a 46 bow with:
4 Boesmani
4-6 Praecox (or maccullochi)
1 Dwarf Gourami
6 Cory Cats
4 Bleeding Heart Tetras
1 Rubber Pleco

That seems alright for a 46 bow, they do have quite a bit of swimming room in them. Provided you keep on top of water changes and maintainance. And since you had no plans to replace the bleeding hearts, once they're gone you might think of replacing their spot in the tank with the school of harliquan rasboras.

[EmmanuelJB]

Anyone else have an opinion?

[Amazon]

I think the barbs will do fine, as long as they have cover and plants and stuff.
Your setup is ok if you have good filtration, and it is planted well enough.

[EmmanuelJB]

Ya, I have a filter rated for a 75 gallon aquarium and I do weekly water changes. I have lots of plants!

[Amazon]

I think your setup is perfectly fine then. Plants help out a lot. Make the fish feel comfortable and natural and they wont be unusually aggresive.

[EmmanuelJB]

I agree, especially if I get 8 tiger barbs. I think the main reason people consider tiger barbs so agressive is because they dn't have enough of them.

[Jacko]

True enough, few people try to keep enough tigers...
If you do get them I'd definitely keep a very close eye on them and the dwarf gourami though, he's my main concern with the mixing since DG are such a slow and easy target for fast swimmers like TBs.

Best of luck!thumbs2:

[EmmanuelJB]

Ya the dwarf gourami was my only concern too.

[Cristoff]

IMO, I'd look at dwarf neon rainbows to mix with your school of boesmani, rainbows don't seem to segregate due to species like tetras do. So 4 boesmani and 4-6 praecox would look great IMO.

I'd also drop the Tiger Barbs, never had good experience with them and I'd hate to have them stress out the rainbows to the point that they don't look as vibrant as they should. They don't nip rainbows IME, but they're dang belligerent. They might also cause problems for the bleeding hearts and the dwarf gourami.

So you're looking at a 46 bow with:
4 Boesmani
4-6 Praecox (or maccullochi)
1 Dwarf Gourami
6 Cory Cats
4 Bleeding Heart Tetras
1 Rubber Pleco



My 90 gallon:

8 Boesemani Rainbows
8 Dwarf Neon Rainbows
4 Botia Histronica (sp) Loaches
6 Lemon Tetras
2 BN Plecos

VERY similar to Jacko's opinion and I'd have to agree a GREAT combo! thumbs2:

[EmmanuelJB]

I have never seen Dwarf Neon Rainbows in a store and I don't really live the look of them in pictures. I would rather go with the bosemanis.

[Amazon]

Your setup is fine, dont worry to much. A succesfull aquarium only comes from watching it.