Congo Tetras

[fishywish]

Hi all!
I am planning out a new 55 gallon tank and have a few questions.

I love congo tetras and am planning the tank around a school of 7.
My other "dream" fish in the tank would include cardinals and black skirts.
How are the 3 of these guys for compatibility if kept in larger schools?
From what I've read, their water conditions and environments are similar.

Also, I've read that the peaceful keyhole cichlid may work as well....

Looking for any advice and suggestions :) Thanks!

[Honey Badger 1]

The tetras should be fine together. At an adult size of 5 inches the keyhole cichlid will be hit or miss, especially with the smaller cardinals. Keep in mind, a peaceful cichlid is not necessarily a peaceful fish. When talking about peaceful cichlids, what is meant, is they aren't as aggressive as other cichlids. Even peaceful cichlids have potential to act like cichlids when it comes to aggression.

[fishmommie]

have had company and off line so am late seeing this. Just wanted to say you're going to love your congos! I have a school of 7, all males, in my 90 and they are stunning. They are almost at full size now and just keep getting prettier.

These guys are fine with my blood parrots and sevs and a single angel as well as a geo. They've been great dither fish and keep the mid range of the tank alive with a a mix of action and motion. Not frenzied ... just nice and busy.

Good luck and have fun.

[fishywish]

Thank you for your feedback! can I keep 3 angel fish with schools of congos, cardinals and black skirts?...are they too nippy?

[fishmommie]

Thank you for your feedback! can I keep 3 angel fish with schools of congos, cardinals and black skirts?...are they too nippy?

Most with experience with angels suggest that unless you have a certain mated pair, a single angel in a tank is best as there is sure to be some infighting for territory if you have more than one. Some have success with multiple angels but it's always a risk.

You could keep your congos and an angel. Maybe also a school of colombian tetras? Nice fish. Very mellow. The cardinals could be a risk as the angels may see them as snacks at some point, however, some have had success if they keep them as juvies and have them grow up together. I have not kept black skirts but I believe you would have a problem with them nipping the angel's fins. Pretty fish, though.

[fishywish]

You could keep your congos and an angel and a big school of cardinals for certain.

I know I definitely want congos and cardinals...just not sure what else to add to round the tank out... I love rummy nose tetras, but I hear they are difficult to keep. Hmmm...any other suggestions?

[fishmommie]

I know I definitely want congos and cardinals...just not sure what else to add to round the tank out... I love rummy nose tetras, but I hear they are difficult to keep. Hmmm...any other suggestions?

See my edit above re the cardinals and the angels. it may depend on if they were raised together.

I love rummys too though I haven't kept them. They are also small - might not work with any angel but I can see them with congos and cardinals. I think it would look great!

I have colombians and long fin serpae tetra in my 30 and they work really well together.
Also there are many fans here of the emperor tetra. you might want to check them out

[fishywish]

I have colombians and long fin serpae tetra in my 30 and they work really well together.
Also there are many fans here of the emperor tetra. you might want to check them out

I have a school of 7 serpaes in my 44 gallon...absolutely love them! I worried about them harassing my other fish, but they are great! The odessa barbs are my trouble makers...lol

I do like the columbians and emperors!
Any thoughts on rainbow fish?

[SueD]

I keep 10 rummy nose with a pair of angels and they are fine together. The rummys tend to stay near the bottom of the tank.

[fishmommie]

I have a school of 7 serpaes in my 44 gallon...absolutely love them! I worried about them harassing my other fish, but they are great! The odessa barbs are my trouble makers...lol

I do like the columbians and emperors!
Any thoughts on rainbow fish?

Rainbows are fast zippy swimmers and need a lot of room. a four foot tank might be tight for them. There are some smaller, long fin rainbows that might work though.