rainbowfish in 55 gallon

[pophead]

I don't have much activity in my 55gallon aquarium right now, I also want more colour. right now it is pretty understocked(1 8in plec, 1 3.5in angelfish, 2 other misc cat bottom feeders(about 2in. each), and 2 cherry barbs(males).
I was wondering if I should put 3 or 4 bosemani's rainbowfish or some other colourfull rainbowfish in the tank. would they go well with an angelfish? how hard are they to keep?

 

[redtail11]

Rainbows are not super colorful, but they are a decent fish with suble colors. Not chasers, happier with a couple of friends. Get maybe 2 to 3 inches long but seem less as they are a narrow fish.

Gouramis are more active than rainbows and would be another alternative.

For more color you could go with platties. If they go live bearing, your angel will enjoy the fresh meat.

 

[Roan Art]

Rainbows are not super colorful, but they are a decent fish with suble colors. Not chasers, happier with a couple of friends. Get maybe 2 to 3 inches long but seem less as they are a narrow fish.

Hrm, I think you need to do some research on rainbows, especially Boesemani, because you've got it very wrong here.

Boesemani size depends on the strain you get. Apparently the Asian bred ones top out at around 3.5", but I don't think any of them are over 5 years old. Boes continue to grow until they die and live usually around 5 years, but 10+ isn't unheard of.

Boesemani rainbows can get up to 4", and 5" isn't unusual. I've heard of a few that are close to 6", but they are 10+ years old. A bit like clown loaches, if you will.

They also grow very deep in the girth and are defiinitely NOT a narrow fish. Not even close.

They are FAR more colorful than a gourami and flash their colors off and on all day long. I'd also consider them more active, as well. Very fast, especially at dinner time. Keep the lid on the tank, they can jump.

FWIW my Boes aren't even a year old and my males are 3". A couple of the females are 3.25"-3.5".

Rainbows are schooling fish and need to be in groups of 6 or more. A small school of 6 Boes would do well in in a 55 gallon.

Roan

 

[wwildcats04]

another option to consider esp. now that they are in season is congo tetras... they can be simply gorgeous

 

[graphicdesign_r]

I had a congo tetra jump out of a tank and my cat ate it.

 

[wwildcats04]

lol, sorry but that made me laugh

 

[matthewburk]

I agree with Roan Art. Bosemans(sp) are very active and fun to watch, and very colorful, also gourami's in general do not like to be around other gourami's, it stresses them out (though there are exceptions) Another great rainbow is the dwarf neon rainbow, ugly when they are young, but a beutiful blue with red fins when the mature, similar to boesmans in personality.

But if you really want cool fish, get a school of tiger barbs and get rid of the angel (I love tiger barbs, but they are nippy)

 

[Captain Hook]

Gouramis are more active than rainbows and would be another alternative.

For more color you could go with platties. If they go live bearing, your angel will enjoy the fresh meat.

Your point about the activeness is quite far off from the truth. Gouramies are definitely not as active as rainbowfish. The babies from livebearers would be a good food source, I'll agree with that.

I agree with what Roan and matthewburk have said above.

pophead is that 8 inch pleco a common? If so, you might want to sell it, give it away, or take it to a store for a trade-in. I once had a common pleco that outgrew my 90 gallon. That will also reduce your tank load a lot and give you more options (larger school for example).

 

[redtail11]

But if you really want cool fish, get a school of tiger barbs and get rid of the angel (I love tiger barbs, but they are nippy)

The key to happy tanks with tigers is to have at least 6 tigers. Any less and they play with other fish instead of their own kind.

 

[redtail11]

Your point about the activeness is quite far off from the truth. Gouramies are definitely not as active as rainbowfish.

They may not be scientifically as active, but they have twice the vertical body mass and tend to swim near the glass, so they appear more present.

No reason I know of you can't have both. I love Gouramies, but gave up on them because they only last about a year and then get the consipation disease.