Hey guys I am in need of some expert advice. After my last go around of being a newb to the hobby and not cycling my tank (lesson learned). I am in some need of advice. My wife and I are wanting to have some fish that are very colorful. I know some of the brightest are saltwater fish as for freshwater what are good options? Whats fairly easy to keep? Here is what I am working with minus the fish. 36gal Bowfront.
Cichlids or something else?
- Thread starter KRol
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Brox
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Neon tetras guppies, Platys glofish endlers
tamtam
Aquarium Advice Addict
That's a pretty good size to work with!
There are tons of striking fresh water fish!
Platy, guppy and molly are all colorful and hardy fish.
Gourami have many different colors. Dwarf gourami especially.They are a little more sensitive of a fish but adding them to an already cycled tank makes it a lot easier.
There are some great dwarf cichlids too. I don't know much about most of them but I do know rams are sensitive fish.
Cherry barbs are nice. Neons, cardinals and rummy nose tetras.
Though not overly colorful angels have a great look. Even a black and white angel has such a nice pattern it really is striking.
There are tons of striking fresh water fish!
Platy, guppy and molly are all colorful and hardy fish.
Gourami have many different colors. Dwarf gourami especially.They are a little more sensitive of a fish but adding them to an already cycled tank makes it a lot easier.
There are some great dwarf cichlids too. I don't know much about most of them but I do know rams are sensitive fish.
Cherry barbs are nice. Neons, cardinals and rummy nose tetras.
Though not overly colorful angels have a great look. Even a black and white angel has such a nice pattern it really is striking.
Pckerfreak44
Aquarium Advice FINatic
A pair of Bolivian rams will do well. They are fairly peaceful for cichlids so you can have tropical fish with them like platys and tetras
Brox
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I wouldn't do rams for a starter in tanks
bloodlucky
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I'm pretty sure bolivian ram cichlids are good with small fish like neon tetra or livebearers. They are truly beautiful and I'm getting them when I get my 40 gallon!
Their maximum size is about the size of a betta, so yeah they won't get much bigger than your other community fish but they stand out and they are very peaceful ^_^
Their maximum size is about the size of a betta, so yeah they won't get much bigger than your other community fish but they stand out and they are very peaceful ^_^
van
the second picture is a rainbow fish? I love the colors.
OK so it seems that cichlids are probably out. So what about 4-5 angel fish, a rainbow shark, and some ghost shrimp as cleanup crew. With the angels getting around 5 inches and the shark getting around 6 what would that leave some room for?
the second picture is a rainbow fish? I love the colors.
OK so it seems that cichlids are probably out. So what about 4-5 angel fish, a rainbow shark, and some ghost shrimp as cleanup crew. With the angels getting around 5 inches and the shark getting around 6 what would that leave some room for?
jcolon
Aquarium Advice Addict
I believe the second pic is a boesmani rainbow ... Beautiful fish.
I'd say skip the rainbow shark ... Ditto for a redtail ... They become very territorially agressive as they mature and I personally recommend an 55gal and 75gal or up respectively.
I'd say skip the rainbow shark ... Ditto for a redtail ... They become very territorially agressive as they mature and I personally recommend an 55gal and 75gal or up respectively.
Jason7894561230
Aquarium Advice Addict
the rainbow fish wont fit in a 36 gallon they like long swimming spaces. a 4 foot tank is best for them
Also, what is ACTUALLY in your tank? Without knowing i dont know how everyone has been giving segguestions
Also, what is ACTUALLY in your tank? Without knowing i dont know how everyone has been giving segguestions
Pckerfreak44
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Angel fish are cichlids... Haha
tamtam
Aquarium Advice Addict
You tank isn't large enough for sharks, 50 gal min and bigger is better.
In a 36 I wouldn't suggest any more than 2 angels as well and that's pushing it.
Boesmani rainbows, the nice colorful blue and orange one above, are great fish but I don't think your tank is suitable either. They are schooling fish, grow rather large at about 4 inches in length and need a decent horizontal swimming space. As mentioned about 4 feet wide for a tank.
There are some smaller rainbows that would be more suitable for your tank but they aren't as brightly colored for the most part.
eta - I was also under the impression your tank is currently empty. If that's not the case than a lot of these suggestion may not work so if anything is in your tank it would be very helpful to know
tamtam
Aquarium Advice Addict
Personally I'd go with something like
1 angel
5 peppered corys
4 platy
5 rummy nose tetra
All of these will be fine together though I suggest getting the angel as small as you can.
1 angel
5 peppered corys
4 platy
5 rummy nose tetra
All of these will be fine together though I suggest getting the angel as small as you can.
I think this would be a good colorful setup.
6 Glow Fish
10 Cardinal Tetras
10 Rummy Nose Tetras
6 Blood Fin Tetras
2 German Blue Rams
1 Dwarf Gourami
6 Julii Cory Cats
But I wouldn't add the Cardinals, Rummy Nose Tetras, or GBRs until the tank is stable and established.
6 Glow Fish
10 Cardinal Tetras
10 Rummy Nose Tetras
6 Blood Fin Tetras
2 German Blue Rams
1 Dwarf Gourami
6 Julii Cory Cats
But I wouldn't add the Cardinals, Rummy Nose Tetras, or GBRs until the tank is stable and established.
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