Extreme Delay, Sabrina's A Ditz - 08/26/2006 Rainbowfish comp.
Hi WWM Crew,
<Hi, Erin!>
First, I would like to extend my most sincere thanks for the service you are providing to all of us interested in aquarium hobby. I have learned more in the past 2 months since finding your site than in the past 5 years I have had my 20 gallon.
<Well....  with the considerable delay that's coming with this reply, I hope you don't hate me/us.  Yikes.  I really, REALLY need to move and shorten my commute time....>
I also have a 55 gallon fresh water tank. The tank is moderately planted. The tank has one large and one small piece of drift wood and some large river rocks for structure.  I figure the actual volume of water at about 45-47 gallons.  It has been running for about 4 months now. I have introduced 6 Zebra Danios, 5 Cherry Shrimp, 2 Bristle Nose Catfish, and 2 Green Cory Cats. We are interested in creating a colorful and active community tank. After a lot of reading and a tour of 6 area fish stores I have developed an interest in Rainbow fish.  I realize there are many types of this general category of fish. I would prefer to have smaller fish with plenty of room so we have decide we would be most interested in the smaller varieties growing to a maximum length of about 3.5 inches.  One of the most appealing varieties is the Threadfin Rainbow (aka Iriatherina werneri).  I have some concerns regarding compatibility with our cherry shrimp.  I have read these fish are omnivores and that they have large mouths but their throats are narrow. As a result, special care must be taken to provide small enough pieces when feeding. I am still concerned they may have compatibility issues with my Cherry Shrimp. Do you think the Threadfins would eat them?
<I rather doubt it, but I suppose it's possible.  Threadfins are really quite small, as Rainbowfish go.  I think I'd risk it.
I do not want to unleash terror on the shrimp as they are my favorite tank inhabitants.  Also, do you think other types of Rainbows would be okay if the are of similar size or smaller?  
<Probably.>
I would also be interested in any general comment / reservations you may have about keeping this type of fish. Thanks for you time.  
<I've never kept them myself.  I've heard that they are delicate and prone to Mycobacteriosis/"Fish TB"/"Rainbowfish Disease", so I would heartily recommend a longer-than-usual quarantine prior to adding them to your system, both to allow any symptoms of disease to show up and also to allow the fish a longer time to adjust to your water and care.>
Erin Costenbader
<All the best to you,  -Sabrina>

Rainbow-Killies-Planted Tank set Up  9/12/06
Hi, I'm in the process of planning a FW planted 54g corner tank (38"x27"x22") and was wondering if I could get a second opinion on a stocking list. Equipment will be an Eheim 2028 can. filter (275gph output), 300w in line heater, 55w pc light w/6700k bulb, 15g QT tank and a separate 15g hospital tank. I'm planning on weekly water changes of approx. 10 gallons, (more if nitrates rise beyond 20ppm.) Also, the water from my tap tests: 7.2 pH, 3 degrees KH and 6 degrees GH. My current stocking plan is:
1m & 3f threadfin rainbows, I. werneri
1m & 3f Pacific blue-eyes, P. signifier
1m & 3f forktail blue-eyes, P. furcatus
1m & 1f red-lined killifish, A. striatum
1m & 1f rainbow notho, n. rachovi
1m & 3f spotted blue-eyes, p. gertrudae
1m & 1f clown killifish, a. annulatus
1m & 1f blue notho, n. patrizi
My main questions would be... Too many fish?
< Between the filter and the plants you should be able to handle the nitrate load.>
Any obvious aggression/territoriality problems sure to surface over the weeks??
< Many of the rainbows are in the same genus. I would expect males not to get along. The rainbows may be too active for the Killies and out compete them for food.>
I'd rather have less fish than more problems. Also, should all of these guys be okay with my tap water?
< Most of your fish would prefer a pH to be lower than 7, but you are very close already.>
And any suggestion on a temperature that everyone would be happy with? Thanks in advance for your input and dedication to helping the hobby, (and hobbyist.)
< Go with 77 F and thanks for your kind words.-Chuck>

Enough already? Adding Melanotaeniids to a largely FW Amazon mix   1/31/07
Hi,
<Hello>
Thanks for running such a fantastic site.  It has been a real help with a whole bunch of questions that I have had.  However, I now have one that I am not sure how to work out the answer to.
<We're in the same boat...>
I'd really like to add a few Dwarf Neon Rainbows to my tank (Juwel Rekord 96l / 25g US).  Ideally 2 males and 4 females as I read that you need a 1:2 male female ratio.
<Better than "even pairs" yes>
The staff at more than one LFS have said that it would be fine, but I suspect that I am pretty much up against the carrying capacity of my set up. As it has been healthy (more or less) for the year or so since it was set up, I don't want to risk messing things up.  The current inhabitants are:
9 x Neon Tetra
5 X Oto
6 x Amano Shrimp
3 x Corydoras
What do you think?
<Mmm, there's room enough, but the Rainbows do "like" different water quality than the fishes you presently have... likely some "middling ground" could/can be found to suit all here though>
Enough already, or should I go for the Rainbows?  I
guess the alternative would be to wait until some of my fish die off through (hopefully) old age.
Thanks in advance.
Phil
<Do take a read on... WWM, Fishbase.org re the water conditions of all these fish species. Bob Fenner>