rosy barb as dither

[ryf]

would a rosy barb work well as a dither fish for a firemouth?

other suggestions appreciated

[pugwash]

They'd be fine, eat hair algae too. I've got 12 Columbian tetra's, but Buenos Aires tetras work just as well.

[ryf]

if I put 2 firemouths and 2 rosy barbs in a 38, will they be ok in a 55 gallon later 6 months to a year?

[rmcder]

Barbs are shoaling fish; you should have 5-6 of them. They will be fine with firemouth (or most other mild cichlids).