So my soon to be planted 40 gallon is nearly done cycling (Stupid slow Nitrites) and I am making final stocking plans. I have my heart set on a pair of Opaline Gouramis and was hoping to get a small school of active little fish. I am hesitant to pick just any tetra since some species can be fin nippers. Until recently I though Harlequin Rasboras would be perfect, but in the shops they seem to have no interest in schooling, as well as a dislike of bright lighting (110w CF for the plants). Other attractive looking, locally available options I have found are Emperor Tetras and Brilliant Rasboras. Does anyone have any opinions on these fish or other suggestions for active schooling fish that will get along with Gouramis? Any shared knowledge is appreciated.
Agreeable Schooling Fish
- Thread starter Squirt
- Start date
My cardinal tetras share a tank with a powder blue gourami, peacefully. They school quite well compared to my black skirts and pristellas. I've only got seven of them and have thought about increasing their numbers but don't have a tank to spare for QT at the moment.
rummy nose tetras, they school pretty much all the time. Great color,very peaceful and all around cool fish.
www.bluewhippet.net
www.bluewhippet.net
Cardinal Tetras are worth a thought if I can find them around here. I think Rummynose are a bit out of my experience range (I really don't want to massacre an entire school of fish due to my ignorance.) which is unfortunate since they are available here. Thanks for all the suggestions.
No one has any opinions to share on the temperment of Harlequin Rasboras, or information about the schooling and size of Brilliant Rasboras or Emporer Tetras?
No one has any opinions to share on the temperment of Harlequin Rasboras, or information about the schooling and size of Brilliant Rasboras or Emporer Tetras?
I had Harlequin Rasboras and highly recommend them... very peaceful and don't get large. I never had a nipping problem with harlequins.
Methinks your 40gal can take 6-8 of 'em and I think they'd occupy the mid-top part of the tank quite nicely. I had 6 in a 29gal and they stuck together for the most part... as close to "schooling" as you can say for a tank.
I am a big fan of neon tetras... why not do at least 10 for your tank? The cardinal tetras in my LFS are usually not hardy so I usually don't recommend them as a 1st or 2nd choice... this may be different in other areas.
Methinks your 40gal can take 6-8 of 'em and I think they'd occupy the mid-top part of the tank quite nicely. I had 6 in a 29gal and they stuck together for the most part... as close to "schooling" as you can say for a tank.
I am a big fan of neon tetras... why not do at least 10 for your tank? The cardinal tetras in my LFS are usually not hardy so I usually don't recommend them as a 1st or 2nd choice... this may be different in other areas.
Glolight Tetras always seemed to stick together more than most other fish that I've kept. I'd recommend them.
Of course, the only surefire way that I know to encourage schooling behavior in fish that would normally do so in the wild is to get a large tank and introduce a predator...but that's hardly a viable alternative in most cases.
Of course, the only surefire way that I know to encourage schooling behavior in fish that would normally do so in the wild is to get a large tank and introduce a predator...but that's hardly a viable alternative in most cases.
I kept Harlequin Rasbora too and they were great. very peaceful. it was my first tropical tank too, and I didn't kill em, which says something. 
They didnt school around in that pretty way you might imagine.
I dont know about gouramis, but I wonder if white cloud minnows would be happy/ safe in that tank. ? I always keep them in cooler water, but i know others don't.
IME they hang in really satisfying schools, and are hardier than the neon tetras that I have seen. Interesting displays and such too. check out compatibility tho
~ Z
They didnt school around in that pretty way you might imagine.
I dont know about gouramis, but I wonder if white cloud minnows would be happy/ safe in that tank. ? I always keep them in cooler water, but i know others don't.
IME they hang in really satisfying schools, and are hardier than the neon tetras that I have seen. Interesting displays and such too. check out compatibility tho
~ Z
i would go with either glow lights, cardnials, or neons. they are all very hardy mine all school together--4 neons,4 glowlights,3 cardnials.
