Stocking Question

[wingnut6469]

I'm looking at getting some Dwarf Rainbowfish for my 29 gallon tank but I'm not sure if I can do it. I've read that they are a schooling fish, but will 5 of these guys fit in a 29g tank? Right now the only fish in the tank are 6 platties and 2 cory cats. Some of the platties are going to be moved to a 10 gallon tank once it finishes cycling so I would end up with 5 rainbows, 2 cory cats, and 2 or 3 platties. Would that be overstocking the 29g?

If they will all fit, are there any special tank conditions or needs for rainbowfish. I'm just getting started so I don't want to rush into buying fish just based on their looks. Thanks.

 

[blueturq]

Actually, for something like a 29 gallon there are some smaller rainbowfish that you could get, but my personal favourite has to be the dwarf neon rainbowfish!

They are really colourful, don't grow too big, are very peaceful, hardy, and they will readily accept anything when it comes to food!

3 females to 2 males would be a good number if you wanted 5.

To sex them:

Males are a more brilliant blue with red fins.

Females are a more duller blue with yellow fins.

Sometimes with these guys I don't even look for the colour difference, I just look at the finage colouration differences (it's easier that way).

Hope this helped at least a little bit

 

[Capps]

Well, It depends on which rainbow fish you get. Threadfins only get 1 1/2 inches and Boesman's, Australian, and Checkereds get 4-5 inches.
So yes with the threadfins and IMO no with the other larger ones.

Maybe 3-4 boesman's and the cory's?

Good luck

Blue you beat me to it and definitly on the neon rainbows.

 

[blueturq]

Well, It depends on which rainbow fish you get. Threadfins only get 1 1/2 inches and Boesman's, Australian, and Checkereds get 4-5 inches.
So yes with the threadfins and IMO no with the other larger ones.

Maybe 3-4 boesman's and the cory's?

Good luck

I would think you'd be pushing it with bosemani's as nice as they are.

They can get fairly large.

 

[Capps]

Yeah, that's why I said maybe, because they are really nice rainbows.

 

[wingnut6469]

I was planning on going with the Dwarf Neon Rainbow, I just don't want to overcrowd the tank. I was thinking of 5 only because the rainbows are a schooling fish. I would rather just go with 3 or 4 rainbows, 3 plattys and 2 cory cats. Would the rainbows be okay with less than 5?
Also if I need to put 5 rainbows in the tank than should I move all the plattys to my other tank?
Thanks

 

[blueturq]

Nope, you should be fine in terms of keeping the platies where they are, they won't get bothered by the rainbows.

Also, maybe getting a few more cories would be cool too