fish compatable with platys
- Thread starter caz
- Start date
Just about any fish from the "community" section is fine. That'll be most kinds of tetras (stay away from Buenos Aires), other platies, swordtails, guppies, barbs other than tigers, other cories, rainbows...that probably covers all of the main groups, oh, and danios. Just about anything from these will be just fine. Any LFS employee with any aquatic experience at all should be able to help you out more once you're there. Have fun!
Welcome...
Caz, to Aquaria Central, home of the most livebearers on the internet
Voodoo's answer was good. Any community fish will do, it more depends on what you are looking to accomplish as far as colors, activity levels, etc. I love checker barbs -- active, hardy, easy to sex (for some reason that's important to me) (the males have reddish dorsal fins with a black leading edge).
Val
Caz, to Aquaria Central, home of the most livebearers on the internet
Voodoo's answer was good. Any community fish will do, it more depends on what you are looking to accomplish as far as colors, activity levels, etc. I love checker barbs -- active, hardy, easy to sex (for some reason that's important to me) (the males have reddish dorsal fins with a black leading edge).
Val
As long as you don't add any fin nippers, a male betta will do fine in a community tank. They don't have any needs other than those common to all fish--clean water, stable parameters, regular feeding. I have one in my community tank, and while the one of the dwarf puffers is an turd and nips sometimes, he is doing fine.
thank you so much guys for helping me. i have a few more quick questions.
1. ram cichlids. i hear they are peacefull and a good community fish tank although they can be a little tough to keep.
2. bala sharks. i hear they are peacefull as well as red fins.
3. gouramis. i have read different things on these guys some say they are peacefull, others say they arent, but say that the dwarfs are.
thanx again guys. i am setting up the 55 gallon tomarrow and will hope to be adding fish to it in a week or so. probably the day after i get it set up i will through 2 or 3 black mollies in there to help with the bacteria. does this sound adequate? also, should i add aquarium salt? and anymore ideas for fish if anyone has a favorite that they think are cool. any input would be awesome. thanx
1. ram cichlids. i hear they are peacefull and a good community fish tank although they can be a little tough to keep.
2. bala sharks. i hear they are peacefull as well as red fins.
3. gouramis. i have read different things on these guys some say they are peacefull, others say they arent, but say that the dwarfs are.
thanx again guys. i am setting up the 55 gallon tomarrow and will hope to be adding fish to it in a week or so. probably the day after i get it set up i will through 2 or 3 black mollies in there to help with the bacteria. does this sound adequate? also, should i add aquarium salt? and anymore ideas for fish if anyone has a favorite that they think are cool. any input would be awesome. thanx
Instead, I would setup the 55, and then cycle it fishlessly (there are several threads here outlining the process, with links for specifics). This will prevent your fish from being exposed to toxic levels of ammonia and nitrite. You can use some gravel and filter media from your existing tank to speed up the process.
For other fish selections: there are rams that are hardy, and ones that aren't. I think the Bolivians are considered hardy, and the German ones more sensitive. They are a lovely addition, and can be good community fish.
Gouramies--it depends on the fish. I have color morph three spots (sold as gold and platinum) that are shy and quiet. I had blue dwarves that were little buggers, and ones that were very mellow. It just depends on the fish.
I would avoid the balas. They get very large, need to be in a school, and tend to be very skittish, ramming into the glass when startled. Not a good choice for a 55.
For other fish selections: there are rams that are hardy, and ones that aren't. I think the Bolivians are considered hardy, and the German ones more sensitive. They are a lovely addition, and can be good community fish.
Gouramies--it depends on the fish. I have color morph three spots (sold as gold and platinum) that are shy and quiet. I had blue dwarves that were little buggers, and ones that were very mellow. It just depends on the fish.
I would avoid the balas. They get very large, need to be in a school, and tend to be very skittish, ramming into the glass when startled. Not a good choice for a 55.
thanx Orion girl. what is your favorite community fish? i want some exotic fish for myself. something that is pretty, and fun. i have only previously owned oscars( i dont think the platys would like them ) but i like the whole cichlid family. any suggestions anyone?
Having dealt almost exclusively with exotics, I can tell you that there are very few that will suit your tank. Most exotics are large or expensive or mean or a combination of the three.
Although, a mormyrid, such as a baby-whale or an elephant nose might do well for you. They are a little sensitive and sometimes are picky about their food, but they would do well with a tank of platies and cory cats. Just don't put them with anything that would compete with them for food, such as a pleco or a large cat. They do have special diet requirements, as they usually don't eat flake food and prefer live worms of varying sorts. They're a great conversation piece, tho.
Just a suggestion!
Although, a mormyrid, such as a baby-whale or an elephant nose might do well for you. They are a little sensitive and sometimes are picky about their food, but they would do well with a tank of platies and cory cats. Just don't put them with anything that would compete with them for food, such as a pleco or a large cat. They do have special diet requirements, as they usually don't eat flake food and prefer live worms of varying sorts. They're a great conversation piece, tho.
Just a suggestion!