First "big" tank

[weldon]

none of those, Im afraid, do well with smaller fish...balas I would rather in a larger tank, 180+

OK. Are there any "sharks" that would work in my tank?

I wouldn't even give it a thumbs up with expensive cardinal tetras around. I have one here at 6 inches in length.

OK. I like those African Featherfins, but I don't want my tank to be a feeding pond for one.

I'd stick with other species. Balas reach 12 inches and are too boisterous. What tetras are you planning to get? Angelfish would be my best bet along with deep-bodied tetras. As for bichirs and BGK, they will eat your tetras. Congo tetras at full-grown size would be your best bet but it's still risky with bichirs.

Bummer. Any other suggestions for something in the "shark" family that won't eat all my small fish?

I don't have to do Neons or Cardinals, but I was looking forward to having a school of 10+ fish to watch. Can I do Angelfish with Black Skirt Tetras, Danios, Platies, and Cories? I was worried the Danios would harrass the Angels.

Any other suggestions for a showcase fish that's a good middle swimmer that will not eat my tetras? I was thinking Gourami, but we had a single Dwarf that (we think) ate a couple Danios and I'm a little wary.

 

[weldon]

Here are some of the fish that I am thinking about. I went and took some pics with my phone today. They are...

Sunburst Platies
??? Platies
Red Wag Platies
African Featherfin
African Featherfin 2
Dinosaur Bichir

 

[Lupin]

Here are some of the fish that I am thinking about. I went and took some pics with my phone today. They are...

Sunburst Platies
??? Platies
Red Wag Platies
African Featherfin
African Featherfin 2
Dinosaur Bichir

The bichir will still eat platies.

 

[Lupin]

Bummer. Any other suggestions for something in the "shark" family that won't eat all my small fish?

Siamese algae eaters and Garras look like "sharks" to me and are safe.:grinyes: But not with bichirs.

Can I do Angelfish with Black Skirt Tetras, Danios, Platies, and Cories? I was worried the Danios would harrass the Angels.

This is fine.

Any other suggestions for a showcase fish that's a good middle swimmer that will not eat my tetras? I was thinking Gourami, but we had a single Dwarf that (we think) ate a couple Danios and I'm a little wary.

A dwarf gourami should not really eat the danios. Can you please explain that situation further? Pearl gouramis are fine for centerpiece fish.

 

[jpappy789]

I am afraid that all tropical fish with the common name "sahrk" have a tendency to be aggressive with smaller fish or get too large, like balas, even for a 150 gal.

 

[silentskream]

rainbow sharks might be an option.. only one though.. they get territorial. they're mostly bottom feeders and i've never seen them go after a small fish. my favorite are the black ones with the red fins, but my boyfriend prefers the "albino" white ones with red fins.

 

[weldon]

The bichir will still eat platies.

Yeah, the Bichir is off the list. I just included him with the pictures for fun.

Siamese algae eaters and Garras look like "sharks" to me and are safe.:grinyes: But not with bichirs.
I can't find true SAE's in town. My LFS and the PetSmart say they can't order them.
This is fine.
Angels will eat Neons and Cardinals though, right?
A dwarf gourami should not really eat the danios. Can you please explain that situation further? Pearl gouramis are fine for centerpiece fish.

We bought a few more fish, before the cories, and decided to get 5 Danios and a dwarf gourami. After a week or so, two of the Danios were just plain gone (not in the tank) and then a few days later the Gourami became listless and died. We assume that he ate the Danios.

A Pearl Gourami might be nice. I like the Honeys too.

rainbow sharks might be an option.. only one though.. they get territorial. they're mostly bottom feeders and i've never seen them go after a small fish. my favorite are the black ones with the red fins, but my boyfriend prefers the "albino" white ones with red fins.

Are "Red Fin" sharks just another type of rainbow then? They seem to be smaller than Balas, but I have heard they are very territorial. Would they be OK in a 6' 150G where they have some room?

I am afraid that all tropical fish with the common name "sahrk" have a tendency to be aggressive with smaller fish or get too large, like balas, even for a 150 gal.

I figured that would be the answer. I'm still looking for that centerpiece, showcase, "feature" fish though. My wife is hoping for something bigger than a bunch of tetras and danios.

Right now, I'm thinking...

2 Pearl, Honey or Dwarf Gouramis
10 Cardinals
6 Black Skirt Tetras
6 Danios
8 Cories
6 Red Wag Platies
3 Ottos
1 bushnynose Pleco

I could maybe do Angels instead of Gouramis if I drop the cardinals.

 

[jpappy789]

I THINK angels and cardinals are fine but neons are a tad bit skinnier so there is a possibility of being eaten...

Also I would up the numbers...remember, you have 150 gallons worth of space

 

[kj5kb]

I'm a big fan of reverse-flow Undergravel filtration (RUGF), you could drive it with one of the canisters.

For substrate, cheap/easy is General purpose Gravel, usually found in the masonry section of HD/Lowe's etc. Needs well rinsed, but it's cheap and looks great; very natural(cuz it IS)

 

[Lupin]

Are "Red Fin" sharks just another type of rainbow then?

Red tail black shark is far different from rainbow sharks. The albino form you often see is a rainbow shark.

They seem to be smaller than Balas, but I have heard they are very territorial. Would they be OK in a 6' 150G where they have some room?

I'd get only one or two depending on how you arrange your decorations.

Right now, I'm thinking...

2 Pearl, Honey or Dwarf Gouramis
10 Cardinals
6 Black Skirt Tetras
6 Danios
8 Cories
6 Red Wag Platies
3 Ottos
1 bushnynose Pleco

This is fine.:thm: Do add more though as Jpappy mentioned.