Rainbow choices

[hp10BII]

Jonesy's post on stocking his tank got me thinking about rainbows...like why I don't have any? :laugh:

Another big(gish) tank isn't going to happen anytime soon, so I was thinking of moving current occupants out of a 20 gallon tank except the corys and red cherry shrimp and put in a half dozen rainbows which are small and shrimp friendly. Threadfin rainbows are the only ones I could come up with. Any other rainbowfish suggestions and a good place to get some nice ones?

[Jonesy]

just thought that i'd let you know that i'll be hitching a ride on this information train;)

[Melody]

Rainbows are often overlooked because they're sold young in stores so they don't jump out at shoppers, but boy do they make up for it when they're mature, especially when they're breeding, which is pretty much daily...lol.

None are Shrimp friendly, but with enough cover I doubt they'd get them all. Kramer's sometimes has Threadfins I believe. The Dwarf Neons look nice in a planted tank as the plants make the light hit them more subtley from different directions.

Those are the only two that are at least semi-commonly seen to my knowledge, the rest are larger. I don't get to all of the stores often though so maybe someone has spotted something I don't know about.:smile:

[fishenthusiast]

I would suggest the dwarf neon rainbows. The males have red fins, the females have yellow. They get to about 1" or so, eat almost anything and are really easy to care for. I have never kept threadfin rainbows, but they are a really pretty species. If I remember correctly they like a lower ph, but my memory fails me often so I could be wrong.

Once you have the tank space I highly recommend Boesmani Rainbows. They are a definate fav, but need the tank space. I often wonder if my 55G is enough for them. They were my most expensive purchase and worth every penny.

My boesmani
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/Fishenthusiast/Rainbows2.jpg

This picture was taken at least a year ago, and they have only gotten bigger. Their bodies are almost the size of the palm of my hand. They are much more disc shaped.

[Jonesy]

Those are amazing looking fish fishenthusiast, I think that pic may have sold my wife on buying them at thirty bux a shot.......

[Melody]

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure you owe Ms. FishEnthusiast some flowers or something for that....lol.

Petsmart has Australian Rainbowfish quite often, if something more subtle appeals to anyone. Remember the very long quarantine when buying from any chain store.

[hp10BII]

With all these smart people liking their rainbows, how can I go wrong? I spied some Threadfins @ Fin-nomenals a couple years back, looks like I'll be on the lookout elsewhere.

I have several dozen Endlers that I have to move first, sooner rather than later otherwise I'll have another several dozen to deal with!

[Melody]

Find the store that has Rainbows, trade for the Endler's. All done.

You can tell them I said they have to. I'm sure that will work.

[fishykisses]

king ed often has boesmani's, turquoise and i think red one's but i'm not so sure about red...i could be thinking of something else.
oh...and dwarf neon rainbows as well.

[Jonesy]

Al's in Richmond has bosemani for 28.88 for the large ones, i believe 14.88 for smaller sized.....

[fishenthusiast]

Those are amazing looking fish fishenthusiast, I think that pic may have sold my wife on buying them at thirty bux a shot.......

They are so worth every penny! Make sure you tell her that picture was taken with no flash, that really is what they look like in person. They sometimes look even darker than that, especially when I first turn the light on in the morning.

Time to get back on topic... hope you find those threadfins, I almost got some once...

[mixixe]

thats really expensive. is that what they typically go for??

[Melody]

Rainbows are often expensive in stores because it takes a long time for a Rainbow to color up. Stores can't sell them as easily before they've colored up and by the time they have enough color for stores, they're a good size fish. This takes more investment, work and space for the breeder, which drives the price up at the wholesale point, and in turn drives the retail price up.

Some stores still bring them in young so you can keep your eyes open. I bought my Axelrodi relatively young at Puppies, Fish & Critters for something like $12 each, and they're more rare than Bosemani.

Otherwise you can save a mint going to the breeders, like Tanner on Aquabid. That way you not only get a deal on young fish, but you also are getting high quality and no crosses, which can be a risk in stores. Always best to buy from a store that only deals with reputable breeders/suppliers. Lots of them do actually, moreso now than a few years ago. You can also buy eggs via Aquabid, but they usually only do that in the Summer.

[Jonesy]

Found this rather interesting......all of the sudden it's not goin to be too expensive for these guys....Sorry mel, i know you're not a big fan of this place but........

http://www.bigalscanada.com/fishspecials/Fish-Special1_3.jpg (http://www.bigalscanada.com/fishspecials/Fish-Special1_3.jpg)

[Melody]

You are as welcome to have your opinion as I am to have mine. My opinion is give them one helluva long quarantine and don't let them anywhere near other Rainbows for 6 months. That's right, 6 months. Rainbows can carry a nasty bug that will wipe other Rainbows and stay in the tank for a long time without showing symptoms. Its deadly - there's no treatment. They figure its one form or another of fish TB but it takes forever to tick them off, one by one. Point being, there's a very big chance that Bug Al's has the bug somewhere in their tanks or in the tanks the fish came from - the law of averages.

They are probably young fish which means their sale price is only average, but maybe not. The only adult Rainbows I ever saw in there was in their display tank many moons ago, and they wouldn't sell them to me. :rolleyes:

BA's has been reading the forums again....lol....they bring in what people are talking about a lot, which is good.

Good luck with them!

[Jonesy]

I'd never heard of this bug.....Anymore info on it???

[Melody]

http://www.members.optushome.com.au/chelmon/Myco.htm

[Edgezilla]

I got nailed with this disease about 6 years ago. Decided to not keep rainbows after that.

I really like dwarf rainbows in a planted tank. celebes are nice.

[Melody]

Me too - that's why I went researching. Mine got that black head and I'd know that was it, they were on their way out. It killed them SO slowly though. I ended up euthanizing whenever I saw the first sign because the internal part must be painful. I did get them again after that and didn't have those problems though.

[Soggybottom]

My threadfins are definitely shrimp safe, their little mouths are just too tiny to hurt anything. They live with cherries and I've never seen any agression. I want more, so if anyone finds em...

[fishykisses]

today i got 2 threadfins and 2 turquoise rainbows.
They look very healthy and were a good price. The threadfins were $6.99ea but the guy knows me so he gave em to me for 4.99ea and the turquoise were also $6.99 i think.
I'll take pics later on!

[Melody]

Well, hurry up! :laugh:

[Jonesy]

today i got 2 threadfins and 2 turquoise rainbows.
They look very healthy and were a good price. The threadfins were $6.99ea but the guy knows me so he gave em to me for 4.99ea and the turquoise were also $6.99 i think.
I'll take pics later on!

Guess that means that i'll have to post pics of my Bosemani's that i picked up last week....:yes:....Now, where did i put the batteries.....................

[fishykisses]

yeah king ed had boesmani's for 9.99 or 3 for 25 too
here they are
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/fishykisses/2007_02072weekbetta0017.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/fishykisses/2007_02072weekbetta0025.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/fishykisses/2007_02072weekbetta0015-1.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/fishykisses/2007_02072weekbetta0026.jpg
and my old dwarf neon rainbow
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/fishykisses/2007_02072weekbetta0021.jpg

[Melody]

Young puppies :smile: . It will be fun to watch them color up!

Mr. Jonesy, hurry up!

[Jonesy]

[/URL][URL="http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/jones345/?action=view&current=100_0646.flv"]http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/jones345/th_100_0646.jpg (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/%5BURL=http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/jones345/?action=view&current=100_0646.flv%5D%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o155/jones345/th_100_0646.jpg%5B/IMG%5D%5B/URL%5D)
couldn't get a clear pic...used this instead....hope ya like

Quality kinda sux.....next time i'll practice my Spielberg directing and not move the cam around so much....

[Jonesy]

So right now i have 2 males and 3 females....Anyone have any breeding experience??? Curious as to how often they will breed as well as care for the fry/eggs.... What point do they hit maturity?

[hp10BII]

Hey...waita minute, I started this thread and everybody else is getting Rainbows?!?:laugh:

I was @ King Ed's tonight, Fishykisses must of picked out all the good ones. I could only see one scrawny threadfin rainbow. All was not lost, I found a source for 3/4" hoses...water changes in a third of the time now - yea!

I hope you're enjoying you're enjoying your Rainbows Jonesy, they look like their smiling in your new tank!

[Melody]

So right now i have 2 males and 3 females....Anyone have any breeding experience??? Curious as to how often they will breed as well as care for the fry/eggs.... What point do they hit maturity?

Rainbows are good breeders - almost constant if they're happy & fed well. Chuck a spawning mop in there or a bunch of Java Moss and check it in the morning. Rainbow fry is small, so you should probably have a Microworm & Infusorian culture on hand.

I'm not sure when they're sexually mature but yours are getting their adult shape & colors so it shouldn't be long.

[Melody]

Hey...waita minute, I started this thread and everybody else is getting Rainbows?!?:laugh:

LOL That's what happens when you're pumped about a fish - its contagious!

[BC_Kron]

I have a fairly large school of turquoise rainbows ( and a lone neon dwarf, he hates it when i forget to mention him, who thinks he's part turquoise ), I've been keeping them for about three years now. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!! The colors, the activity, everything about them is awesome. I prefer to get mine from Gail @ Petland in Langley/Surrey. She has some at home herself and tends to the ones in stock personally. Yes they usually are pricey $20- $30, but Thursdays are 2/1 day for members. I have around 15 of them in a 110g with a few rummynoses, gouramis, and a few other oddball fish, almost all from petland. Once you purchase a school you wont ever get rid of them, but if you do decide on them make sure to get at least 5 you will see them shine their brightest and be the most active and generally happier with a larger group!!!!!!!!!!! Their spawning dance is a cool thing to observe to, they change colors rapidly flashing from yellow-green, blue-purple, with an orange-ivory stripe down their nose. Intense colors!


Jackie, have I convinced you yet?

[Melody]

I just happened across a post saying that Super Pet (http://www.superpet.com/) in Ontario has Threadfins. I should think that if one has them, the other could order them in. :smile:

[hp10BII]

All good ideas. I'm going to have to wait before doing a diligent search, threadfins would be my choice. I've been told that I'm going away on a few trips over the next several months and I don't like to leave new fishies alone.

[Melody]

That will help you avoid the 'Wishihaduv' syndrome we get when we buy fishies and then find better fishies.

Several trips? Got the travel bug? At least you can try out all of the auto-feeders and give us a review. :smile:

[hp10BII]

That will help you avoid the 'Wishihaduv' syndrome we get when we buy fishies and then find better fishies.

Several trips? Got the travel bug? At least you can try out all of the auto-feeders and give us a review. :smile:

Since this is my thread, I'll stray a little off tangent here. I do have the 'Wishihaduv' syndrome big time. Oh, I'll still look for the Threadfins, that's a given.

I got the kids their own goldfish with a 75 gallon tank, I started off with goldfish so it's kinda for nostalgic reasons. Well they have a lovebird now so they totally ignore the goldfish. A breeder I know can special order German Discus babies on a regular basis and since I'm doing all these water changes and on top of that my buddy has a 250 gallon Rubbermaid trough in the backyard for his goldfish and looking for a few more...:yes:

Life is good when the pieces of the puzzle fits...lol

Several trips...not my doing. Keeping a wife is expensive. :rolleyes:

[Melody]

Keeping a mistress is even more expensive. Keeping fish on the other hand...

OK that's expensive too....lol...but they're so much quieter.

This is not your thread, this is our thread. What's yours is ours and what's mine is my own. I thought you had experience with women?

[hp10BII]

Alright, alright...you figured you'd be safe in a fish forum, but now I see that I can't even own my own thread and it sure doesn't make sense to hijack my own thread when it's no longer my own. :Dunno:

In my experience, diversionary tactics work for me: :emoticon-sign: :Holiday-17:

:laugh:

[Melody]

I am easily distracted - I think that's a good game plan ya got there. You're going to be married for a long, long, looooooong time.

Is it just me or did that sound depressing? :laugh:

[Jonesy]

remember that i'm the guy getting married in two months....ya that is depressing.....i need a drink..........

[Melody]

Its a life sentence... er... commitment. :wideeyed: