What should I get?

[Cory Lover]

Right now, my 54 gallon tank I feel needs a little more acitivity in the middle and top levels. The only thing that occupies my middle and top levels are my 10 praecox. The 22 Corydoras, three Upside-Down Catfish, one Convict Cichlid, and one CAE of course mostly stay at the bottom zone.

I was thinking of maybe getting 8 Emperor Tetras or Pencilfish...does that sound good? Any other suggestions?

BTW, the tank is lightly planted with alot of driftwood.

Thanks

Matt

[Katalyst]

An article about evenly stocking community fish.

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/beginnerinfo/a/evenstocking.htm

A link within the article that lists Preferred Levels of Community Fish

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/beginnerinfo/a/fishlevels.htm

In the article the author states the following which I thought was worth repeating.

'Keep in mind that water conditions (pH, temp, hardness), size, and compatibility must also be considered when choosing fish for your community tank.'

To most of us that isn't rocket science I know but to a new hobbyist sometimes the choices and impulses get the best of us. :wink:

[Cory Lover]

An article about evenly stocking community fish.

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/beginnerinfo/a/evenstocking.htm

A link within the article that lists Preferred Levels of Community Fish

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/beginnerinfo/a/fishlevels.htm

In the article the author states the following which I thought was worth repeating.

'Keep in mind that water conditions (pH, temp, hardness), size, and compatibility must also be considered when choosing fish for your community tank.'

To most of us that isn't rocket science I know but to a new hobbyist sometimes the choices and impuses get the best of us. :wink:

I know that stuff.

[Wiedertäufer]

What about barbs? Enough to form a small school? I know the convict would have fun chasing them (and likely would never actually catch them). The only risk though, is that they sometimes nip fins. Checkered barbs nip fins less than other kinds and all barbs nip less once there are more than 6 of them. They are very active, swimmy fish.

[Slipstream]

Cherry Barbs

[Cory Lover]

What about barbs? Enough to form a small school? I know the convict would have fun chasing them (and likely would never actually catch them). The only risk though, is that they sometimes nip fins. Checkered barbs nip fins less than other kinds and all barbs nip less once there are more than 6 of them. They are very active, swimmy fish.

Thats a cool idea. Thanks

BTW,the one Convict is a 'scaredy cat' and probably would be afraid of the barbs lol :laugh:

[Wiedertäufer]

A scaredy cat convict?! That's hilarious. One day though, he might realize he's a convict for life and start shivving the other inmates in the tank :eek:. Especially if he/she gets a mate and has fry.

Slipstream's idea of cherry barbs is also a really good pick. One of the best things about most barbs (especially rosy and cherry and also checkered) is that they are great algae eaters if you ever have a problem with that. I've heard cherry barbs will even clean your glass of diatoms/brown algae.

Rosy barbs are hyper fish. They calm down once there's 6+ of them, but they are still very, very active fish and are probably as likely as any barb to be fin nippers. I love the way tiger barbs look, and the way they will follow your finger on the glass, but they're not as strong when it comes to algae eating and they nip fins like crazy.

I've always thought barbs and cory cats would make for a cool tank. I don't know how they'll do with dwarf rainbows and a convict though.

[thegrandpoohbah]

+1 for a small school of cherry barbs. Get all males if you can, they have a much nicer red colour.

[Melody]

Its well stocked already, so I'd get rid of some fish before shopping, preferrably off the bottom. Then you can divide them around the tank a bit better. I'd probably go for a small school of Red Cardinal Tetras - their colours would set the others off nicely.

[Cory Lover]

Its well stocked already, so I'd get rid of some fish before shopping, preferrably off the bottom. Then you can divide them around the tank a bit better. I'd probably go for a small school of Red Cardinal Tetras - their colours would set the others off nicely.

No way I'm giving up some of my bottom fish...they are my babies :smile: lol

[Melody]

No way I'm giving up some of my bottom fish...they are my babies :smile: lol

Then no more fishies or your babies will go buh bye, I'm afraid:wideeyed: . Preferred swimming area is just a small part of the overall picture. With good maintenance you can manage what you have now, but anything more is going to tax the system. What you choose to do is up to vous of course, but them's the facts. Maybe Santa will bring a new tank for Christmas and you can do some shuffling. :Letter4Santa:

[Cory Lover]

Well lol...it seems people or split on it....couldn't you guys have made it easier? :laugh: jk