Need some colorful community tankmate ideas...

[webcricket]

I've got a small shoal of zebra danios and about 20 sunburst platys in a large well-filtered community tank. I keep the tank at about 76 degrees, neutral pH with just a touch of salt in the water and feed flake food. I'm looking for some colorful tankmate possibilities.

Mollies are out, I'd like to stay away from the livebearers. Something slow moving in shades of purple or blue would be nice. The danios swim at top level, so I'm not particularly interested in another shoaling fish. From what I've read, dwarf gouramis or rainbows (which I cannot seem to find anywhere around here) might be worth looking into. Any ideas if these fish would be compatible with my tank and water conditions? Or any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[DaisyTattoo]

You could try some YoYo or Zebra loaches. I have found that they are a wonderful and colorful addition to the bottom of my tank.

 

[Slick Fork]

German Ram's are nice and hang around the bottom. These can be a little sensitive I've heard but I've had good luck with them. Bolivian Rams are a very robust fish but they are more of a red/purple.

 

[Bitsy]

A couple questions:

What exactly is a large community tank? An exact size would make it easier for others to give advice on possible fish.

Why exactly are you adding salt to your tank? Are you treating for a disease/illness?

Once we know the answers to these things helping you out with suggestions will be a lot easier. You had said that you don't want anymore schooling fish but then mentioned rainbows, well from everything I have read/heard about rainbows they are schooling fish and I believe they generally do better in a species only tank, but I could be wrong on that. If you have further questions on rainbows I would suggest waiting for Roan Art to respond or try sending her a PM she is the resident rainbow expert.

 

[gagaliya]

get glofish, lots and lots of glofish

 

[Rosemary]

Bettas are slow-moving and can be blue or purple.

 

[icka]

I just started rainbowfish and they are AWESOME. However they are slightly more expensive for most fish, dont show color until adult size, the cheaper the rainbowfish the less colorful it will be as an adult. I just got 4 Red New Guinea Rainbowfish and in a few weeks will be getting one more, plus 5 bosemani Rainbowfish and then possibly 4/5 of another rainbowfish or a background fish that would make the rainbows stand out.