Smaller schooling fishes for hardwater tank
- Thread starter toffee
- Start date
I wouldn't worry about the tetras too much, they adapt, usually, quite readily. I had glo-lights in those conditions for close to a year before I moved and they were always vibrant and healthy. I can't say if it effects them long term, but hardness and pH generally only effect things like spawning abilities. Some fish which are wild caught don't adapt well either. However, I think keeping all other conditions healthy (good temp, waterchanges, etc) is a lot more important in keeping them.
Otherwise, the barbs suggested may work, depending on what you have (the only peaceful, non-largish one that comes to my mind is a cherry which I have heard do not shoal well). Guppies form loose shoals, but IME, the males hang out with each other a lot. Wild-type guppies (feeders) or endlers may be another good option as they will be smaller and won't hog the tank ... but, IME, a fairly decent shoal only happens when the shoal is all male with the guppies... I am unfamiliar with endlers.
Otherwise, the barbs suggested may work, depending on what you have (the only peaceful, non-largish one that comes to my mind is a cherry which I have heard do not shoal well). Guppies form loose shoals, but IME, the males hang out with each other a lot. Wild-type guppies (feeders) or endlers may be another good option as they will be smaller and won't hog the tank ... but, IME, a fairly decent shoal only happens when the shoal is all male with the guppies... I am unfamiliar with endlers.
I think that any small schooling fish would be fine, fw fish adapt really well to differing water conditions.
What about livebearers, like guppies?
What about livebearers, like guppies?
Just make sure to do a slow acclimation. Also check to see what the water conditions are at your LFS. Chances are they aren't that different than yours. If you go with tetras stick to hardier varieties liek silver tip, emporer, head and tail light or with barbs think about cherry barbs which are ever so colourful and if kept in a large group not too aggressive.
