Need Compatability Suggestions

[SnowHeart]

I have a 29 gallon freshwater tank and need some compatability suggestions. Although all the fish I've bought to-date were supposed to get along according to my local pet shop, but fights seem to be a regular occurance. Now, to top it all off, I've realized the Hammers Blue Cobalt Lobster (crawfish) that I put in is something of a predator -- I suspect he killed and devoured a 2" rainbow shark.

Currently in the tank and healthy are 3 cardinal tetras, a dward neon blue gourami, a juvenile Rainbow Cichlid, a loach, and (of course) the crawfish. Also in the tank is a female swordfish, but she's been mercilessly harassed by the gourami (again, something I was told wouldn't happen).

I've currently got a beginning stage problem with brown diatom algae, but am treating it. Once it clears up, I'm debating about what to do with the fish. I do NOT want to get rid of the crawfish, and I think that means I need to get relatively large fish that he'll have to think twice about trying to catch.

I'd like to get a red-tailed shark, but at this point I'm totally open to suggestions.

Thanks,
~Snowy

[Pretender]

The species profile here says the red-tailed shark is agressive and requires 25 gallons on its own. You might can have one is all you have is the crawfish and the red-tail.

[Holly9937]

How are you "treating" the algae? Chemicals are usually a bad idea, and in most cases the brown algae will go away on its own. As for fish, I really don't know what would be compatible with the crawfish, a 29g is really not big enough for a big fish that he would not think about eating. Also, I don't necessarily think size will stop him from trying, only stop him from succeeding. However that means constant stress for said fish knowing he is being eyed up for dinner!! If you don't want to get rid of it, maybe you should stick with small fast cheap fish that you won't be too upset to see eaten....

My red tail was a bit of a bottom dweller, same with many of the loaches, so I would see them as even easier snacks for the crayfish sooner or later

[reignman40]

The only thing I would recommend if you don't want to remove the crayfish is maybe Danios as they swim in the upper portions of the tank and probably won't be bothered unless they venture too low. Basically as others have said the tank isn't big enough to get a fish large enough for the crayfish to leave it alone. Crayfish will basically grab anything they can get their hands on.

As for the brown algae I concur that chemicles to control or get rid of algae are a bad idea.