Can I add some more fish or not?

J

JoeRags3

AC Members
Jan 11, 2006
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Millstone Township, NJ
I have a 38 Gallon tank filtered by a penguin 200 and an aquaclear powerhead for circulation of the water that has been running for about a year now. While I am very happy with the tank and its inhabitants, I want to add a colorful fish to it like a small school (6 or so) of either Neons, cardnials, or cherry barbs (4 since they get larger). Currently in the tank I have 6 Bleeding heart tetras, 2 three-spot gouramis, one rainbow shark, three upside-down catfish, and 5 otos. As well as a few Ghost shrimp (at most 6, most likely 2) that happen to survive and hide very well, and some snails I 'm probably pushing it by adding anymore but figured I ask the more experianced and see what all of your opinions are.

Thanks Joe
 
Well Joe, if the Gouramis were Dwarfs, and that Rainbow Shark was anything other than what he is, you'd probably be fine to add. But the Rainbow is not really a very good candidate for a community tank due to size and aggression as he grows, same with the Three-Spots.

I'd be hesitant to add anything, personally.
 
The Gouramis and the Rainbows have a tendency to get grumpy as they get older... Just keep an eye on 'em.

I had a pair of Golds (just a color variant of your Three Spots) that were very docile until one day when I added a new Dwarf. They went into full on aggression mode and took it out on every fish in the tank. They had to be re-homed.

They were fine till I upset the balance...
 
I have a rainbow in a community tank... he is semi-aggressive, but with the size of the tank and the mixture of occupants, he spreads it out a lot and no fish seem disturbed by him (the last year). Your tank is smaller though...

On strict bio-load, I think you'be be okay with a school of small fish. But be careful about the shark. I wouldn't recommend the barbs though.
 
Fortunatly I haven't witnessed any aggression towards other fish from my rainbow. Maybe I will just wait until I can make room somewhere for my 55 Gallon thats sitting in my basement. That is unless I cant resist the urge for new fish.
 
JoeRags3 said:
Fortunatly I haven't witnessed any aggression towards other fish from my rainbow. Maybe I will just wait until I can make room somewhere for my 55 Gallon thats sitting in my basement. That is unless I cant resist the urge for new fish.
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please do. if you returned the shark and one of the three spots, you'd be fine.
 
fishcatch22 said:
please do. if you returned the shark and one of the three spots, you'd be fine.
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Unless I had a problem with aggression I'm not going to return any of those fish, like I said I've had it running for almost a year now. And to be honest the Guoramis and shark have the most personality out of the entire tank. I can even hand feed my guoramis. Thanks everyone.
 
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