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Schooling fish for 18x18x18 cube

1664 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  wharfrat
I eventually want a pair of GBR but will not add them until my tank settles a bit; however, after my tank cycles I would like to add a schooling fish. I have narrowed it down to...

1) classic harlequin rasbora
or
2) ember tetra
or
3) black neon tetras
or
4) rummy nose tetras
or
5) celestial pearl danio vs. some other microrasbora
or
6) cardinals
or anything else you could suggest
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
I think that anything bigger then CPD would be too large for the 25g cube. If you go with a 8-12 sized shoal, there is not that much room to school.

If you plan on keeping the Rams at 80-82+℉, then your options dwindle substantially.

Glowlight tetra might work. Ember tetra?
Would look great in Blackwater.

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The glow light tetras are also fun because they are interactive. If you have no idea what I am talking about, go to the LFS and run your finger from one side of the tank to the other. The entire school moves away from your finger. My daughter finds great joy in this.

I am not sure if it's because they are scared or just reactive but it's neat either way.
In view of how short your tank length is, only add fish that would be comfortable schooling in a standard ten gallon.
Well I have kept most of these anyway in larger tanks in exception of glowlight, cpd, and embers. Out of these 3 which would be a better fit. Any other stocking ideas would be great as well.
Cpd don't really school.
So after a little reading I am thinking of a group of glowlight tetras. Opinions? I am thinking that the CPD will be to warm with GBR in the tank. I could always get some sort of apisto like cacatuoides; however, my experience with them is that they are extremely shy and remain hidden 95% of the time.
I know they've been mentioned, but I would lean towards the glowlights really being too big (and active) to be happy in a tank with that footprint. I'd look at something like ember tetras that run a good bit smaller.
I know they've been mentioned, but I would lean towards the glowlights really being too big (and active) to be happy in a tank with that footprint. I'd look at something like ember tetras that run a good bit smaller.
I agree. I think most tetras are too big for an aquarium with that footprint. What about Endlers? Start with a pair and you'll have a bunch in no time. I have mine in a 6.6 gallon bookshelf aquarium. They're pretty smart, too. They start going crazy when I walk in the room.
I agree. I think most tetras are too big for an aquarium with that footprint. What about Endlers? Start with a pair and you'll have a bunch in no time. I have mine in a 6.6 gallon bookshelf aquarium. They're pretty smart, too. They start going crazy when I walk in the room.
Well Endler's prefer hard water. I want to keep rams and cpd's might not do well at that temp. I could pick up a dozen or more CPD's I know nothing will actually school in a 25cube it to small a footprint.

1) Would CPD's work with a Betta (tbh I have kept various sw fish, several oddities and different cichlids from Tangyanika...but I have never owned a betta in my life)...or not a good idea?

2) How about Ember's and GBR?

I tend to like to stick to either Asia...or SA...but do not like to mix. It is sort of OCD
Another option would be Green Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon simulans), if you can find them. A school of 12-16 + 2 GBR should be fine for your tank.

Something that no one else mentioned: I see from your other posts that you are setting this tank up. IMHO, one of the most important factors to keeping GBR, cardinals, ottos and such alive is a rock stable tank. It personally takes me 1-6 months to get a new tank to that point. Something to consider.
Another option would be Green Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon simulans), if you can find them. A school of 12-16 + 2 GBR should be fine for your tank.

Something that no one else mentioned: I see from your other posts that you are setting this tank up. IMHO, one of the most important factors to keeping GBR, cardinals, ottos and such alive is a rock stable tank. It personally takes me 1-6 months to get a new tank to that point. Something to consider.
I totally agree and I have researched how delicate rams are. I do not plan on introducing them for months until my tank settles. I can use a 750ml matrix or so from one of my running FX6 to help the tank along :) Thank you for the idea for the green tetras. I have never kept them before. you don't think they get to big for my footprint?
Would CPD's work with a Betta (tbh I have kept various sw fish, several oddities and different cichlids from Tangyanika...but I have never owned a betta in my life)...or not a good idea?
It depends on the betta. Some are very docile and don't mind having other fish (or even shrimp) with them, while others want to be alone and will attack anything else you put with them. The temperament of bettas ranges widely from individual to individual. It's one of the things that makes them so popular, each fish has its own distinct personality.
Chili Rasbora!:D
I want them soooo bad. I heard they school
Green neons are small and would be fine in that tank size


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Yeah, green neons are smaller then the regular neons but their temp range is in synch with GBR.

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So what do you think Halfmoon Betta with some sort of microrasbora like CPD, chilis, emeralds, ect. or....Group of Green Neons and 2 GBR
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