Rummynose Tetras or Harlequin Rasboras?

**cephei** · 11-26-2008, 11:14 PM

Ok so im cycling a 64G tank at the minute and I am thinking about what fish I want to put in as part of a community.. I have my heart set on a 20-24 strong school and the two top contenders are rummys or harlequin rasboras and I cant decide which would be better.

From my point of view I just want a really nice close knit active shoal that will get on well with the other future tank mates that will include pearl gourami (3f,1m), corys,otos,pearl danios, blue rams (1m 1f)

the other reason in favor of the rasboras is that they are half the price of the rummys and are hardier fish.. I need 20-24 and over here the rummys cost €20 for 6, rasboras cost less than half that..

So what do people think as far as having a nice shoal is concerned..who would go for what and why factoring in cost,future tank mates,shoaling ability,beauty etc etc...

Cheers

**Northernguy** · 11-27-2008, 12:10 AM

It sounds like a good mix,I think that many rasboras would look really cool!
I have never heard of a 64gal tank before,what are the dimensions?

**cephei** · 11-27-2008, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by northernguy

It sounds like a good mix,I think that many rasboras would look really cool!
I have never heard of a 64gal tank before,what are the dimensions?

Its a Rio 240(litre) 240 litres according to google is 63.5 gallons...

width 121cm
depth 41cm
height 55cm

**sleeby** · 11-27-2008, 12:30 AM

Do both. The rummies school to perfection - I have ten and they are in sync at all times; I'm a huge fan of theirs.

But you have room for a second, smaller school of rasboras for added color too. As for price, there's no need to get them all at once. Maybe start with a school of six to ten each and then add a couple of rummies now and again to grow it to the large size you wish; or, if you decide you favor the rasboras at that point you can choose to grow that school instead.

For my interest (I too like large tanks with shoals of small fish), if anyone here knows of a small species that schools better than rummies please let me know about em.

**cephei** · 11-27-2008, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by sleeby

Do both. The rummies school to perfection - I have ten and they are in sync at all times; I'm a huge fan of theirs.

But you have room for a second, smaller school of rasboras for added color too. As for price, there's no need to get them all at once. Maybe start with a school of six to ten each and then add a couple of rummies now and again to grow it to the large size you wish; or, if you decide you favor the rasboras at that point you can choose to grow that school instead.

For my interest (I too like large tanks with shoals of small fish), if anyone here knows of a small species that schools better than rummies please let me know about em.

Ive done a good bit of research and I dont think there is one.. I think rummies just about pip harlequin rasboras for the top spot as best schoolers closely followed by lemon and bloodfin tetras..

If you stagger the amount of fish you put in should they still school? I mean if I add 6 rummies first and 6 in a few weeks after will they still school together?

**Jambot** · 11-27-2008, 01:11 AM

I have both rummynose tetras and harlequin rasboras (granted not the amount you want, only 9 rummynose tetras and 6 harlequin rasboras). However, I can see your predicament, both fish are very stunning. I've noticed that the rummynose tetras are tighter schoolers, which is a nice display. But if I had the chance to start over, I would get a larger school of harlequin rasboras. They're pretty tight schoolers, but not as tight as rummynose tetras. The rasboras develop a nice light orange hue when they become comfortable, which you don't really see at the LFS. I also like them more since they're not the typical torpedo shape and that black triangle coloration they have really attracts the eye.

**sleeby** · 11-27-2008, 01:14 AM

Oh, yeah. Neither species will care when you add more later - they fall in line with their school within 30 seconds out tha bag. Heh.

**Northernguy** · 11-27-2008, 01:23 AM

I agree ,as long as they are the same species they will be close buddies!
There are times where it may take a few days depending on how crowded the tank is.
It sounds like a nice tank,post some pics soon!

**cephei** · 11-27-2008, 01:40 AM

Originally Posted by northernguy

I agree ,as long as they are the same species they will be close buddies!
There are times where it may take a few days depending on how crowded the tank is.
It sounds like a nice tank,post some pics soon!

Its getting there.. I added an updated pic with the new plants the other day.. Its in the 'tank setup' forum and the thread is called 'my 60g so far'

**wolf_eyes** · 11-27-2008, 04:09 AM

I'm partial to rasboras because I own them. they are hardier and to me, they seem like a more "intelligent" shoaling fish. They very much have individual personalities and will sometimes flaunt them off out of the shoal but the second they feel uncomfortable they will go back the the shoal. My dominant male will swim all around the tank and try to get the girls to spawn all the time while the rest of them will hang out around my filter and bigger plants. They don't seem to be very shy about my presence and also will interact with me. I was waving a object in front of the tank as I was talking to a friend and all the rasboras were watching me while the dominant male was doing his "I'm top fish" dance at the glass to try and threaten the moving object. These fish have a ton of personality in a small, schooling fish package.