Boesemani Rainbow Questions

[rascal22]

I was considering getting a few for my tank but have a few questions based on what I read! Will they eat smaller fish (neon tetras)? Do I have to keep at least five, or can I keep just a pair? What pH does everyone keep them at? I was reading it should be a rather basic pH, but was wondering how tolerant they are.

I am setting up my new 75 gallon. It's currently cycling and I am very excited to start stocking!

[rich311k]

They are schooling fish. They would need 3-5 at a minimum. They may eat small fish. They are pretty tolerant of water conditions as long as the water is clean.

[rascal22]

Thank you! As beautiful as they are, maybe I'll stick with something like a pair of dwarf gouramis to add more color so that I can keep the smaller fish. I'd feel bad keeping only a small number of them, and a large number of them might be out of my price range (I haven't found them for less than $11 a piece!).

[Grangers710]

I have three boesemani's currently and planning on getting 3 more. My neons are scared of them, but I've never seen the rainbow go after 1 before.

[dbosman]

Thank you! As beautiful as they are, maybe I'll stick with something like a pair of dwarf gouramis to add more color so that I can keep the smaller fish. I'd feel bad keeping only a small number of them, and a large number of them might be out of my price range (I haven't found them for less than $11 a piece!).


Find, join, and participate in your local or not so local fish club(s). Join any forums you see that deal with rainbows. Such as (and I know nothing about the quality of it) http://www.rainbowfish.info

Fish clubs are a wonderful help for enthusiasts of any skill level.
They usually have meetings that are well worth attending - at least part of the time. They can lead you to people you never would have met. They can lead you to species clubs or auctions. And, they can lead you to bargains. They can also lead to multiple tank syndrome. MTS isn't fatal unless your significant other is really fish intolerant. ;-)

[MCHRKiller]

I bought 20 Boes on Aquabid last summer, they were decent sized fry of about 1/2-3/4" I grew them out until the fall and sexed them. I kept the prettiest 10 and sold the remaining 10 to a LFS for more than I paid for them to start with. Boes are very slow growing, it will take a year to grow them to adulthood from this size. I won the auction for $40 shipped, and sold the remaining 10 of them for $50. It is a cheap way to get Boes, because you will probably not find them for much under $10 each.

[rascal22]

Find, join, and participate in your local or not so local fish club(s). Join any forums you see that deal with rainbows. Such as (and I know nothing about the quality of it) http://www.rainbowfish.info

Fish clubs are a wonderful help for enthusiasts of any skill level.
They usually have meetings that are well worth attending - at least part of the time. They can lead you to people you never would have met. They can lead you to species clubs or auctions. And, they can lead you to bargains. They can also lead to multiple tank syndrome. MTS isn't fatal unless your significant other is really fish intolerant. ;-)

HAHA! I already have MTS! My fiancé said, "This is your LAST tank." Yeesh! I only have 3 and one's a 5 gal! Maybe it's the two geckos and the fact that I want a cat, and there seems to be no end for my love of fish! Or maybe it was the carrying the 75 tank and stand up a flight of stairs, or driving to the pet stores, driving to random houses found on craigslsit for bargains, endless credit card swipes, or my utter sadness when a fish dies...

I actually was looking into my local club! I went to their swap meet as an outsider in March, and loved the experience. I also have a friend willing to take me to an out of state club since he attends that one. Thanks for your recommendation!

[rascal22]

I bought 20 Boes on Aquabid last summer, they were decent sized fry of about 1/2-3/4" I grew them out until the fall and sexed them. I kept the prettiest 10 and sold the remaining 10 to a LFS for more than I paid for them to start with. Boes are very slow growing, it will take a year to grow them to adulthood from this size. I won the auction for $40 shipped, and sold the remaining 10 of them for $50. It is a cheap way to get Boes, because you will probably not find them for much under $10 each.

I've never tried Aquabid. That sounds awesome! I know what I'm doing today! Thanks!!!

[Lady Hobbs]

I like boesemani's and turquoise both. I gave my boes to my son for his tank but after they were gone, I found some babies in my tank that somehow survived so I have them in my tank again. :) About 5 of them now just getting into their colors.

VERY slow growers. Some bows have been known to eat small neons but I think once the neons reach full grown, they will not be eaten. Little neons are a treat for any fish.

[Ashley]

I had neons with my Boes, and they got eaten :(