Topic: Dither fish?

[Vern]

I'm wondering whether to try some more dither fish alongside my Chocolate Cichlid pair and a single female Geophagus Tapajo in my 50g? (see my signature below).  I'd previously kept a group of 7 Columbian Tetras as these seemed fast and tough enough but my Geophagus is very feisty and has sadly put an end to this.  It didn't help that the Columbians also appeared non-schooling and territorial, turning on themselves. 

The Geo acts as a good target fish for my Chocolates and has helped reinforce their bond so I'd like to keep her, although now the Chocolates have fully grown out and I'm concerned that my tank is too small to keep all these despite the favourable aquascape.  I've just sold on my pleco as she was getting larger and I felt her presence was preventing the Chocolates from spawning - they've been displaying for a few months but the female seems reluctant to release her eggs.

I've recently seen my Geo go for my Corys and think I have lost about 4 of these too.  I don't have the space to separate the paired Chocolates after spawning so really need another option to keep the peace. 

[Stormbringer]

Rainbow fish can be a tad that way as well , have you tried congo tetras ?
you could also try the rainbow fish theres lots of varieties of them and some get quite big 5" or so 

[Dan]

Buenos Aires Tetras or Giant Danios could also be some good choices. They are both very feisty and would do alot better than  the Columbian tetras.  Columbian Tetras are quite calm and arent as fast moving as the 2 above fish are.   

[wullie]

I agree with storm, rainbows can be a brilliant dither fish. When there displaying its a sight to behold.

[Stormbringer]

yep they are but other males tend to be driven off during the day and they then reshoal up at night

[Gerry]

Some very nice rainbow fish out there

[Katt]

I have Buenos Aires Tetras and they are a very nice school fish.
But the Rainbows are really nice to.   

[johnl]

The Buenos Aires Tetras would be my choice very tough fish.

[Vern]

Thanks.  I'd like to keep this tank strictly South American but agree that Rainbow Fish (I assume you mean these rather than Rainbow Cichlids?) are lovely fish, which is why I'm looking to stock my new planted aquarium with them.

Sounds like Buenos Aires tetra may do the job.  I had thought I may have to off load my Geophagus in order to aid spawning between the Chocolates?

[Katt]

Thanks.  I'd like to keep this tank strictly South American but agree that Rainbow Fish (I assume you mean these rather than Rainbow Cichlids?) are lovely fish, which is why I'm looking to stock my new planted aquarium with them.

Sounds like Buenos Aires tetra may do the job.  I had thought I may have to off load my Geophagus in order to aid spawning between the Chocolates?

Yes Rainbow fish, not Cichlids. 

As for your Geophagus, I don`t know. Is it showing any aggression, or just in there face`s alot. ?
Are the Choco`s a know par ?

[Vern]

As for your Geophagus, I don`t know. Is it showing any aggression, or just in there face`s alot. ?
Are the Choco`s a know par ?

Only in so much as what I've written in this post. He took the Columbians out and started on my Corys.  This was before I removed my Pleco though, so there's a little more space for him.

The Chocs have bred successfully a number of times and have been displaying to each other for months but the female hasn't laid any eggs for ages.  She's dug pits out of the sand and is cleaning rocks and roots, showing the traditional signs but, as yet, nothing.  She's well guarded from the male's attention, with her own cave.  Other than that I don't really know.

[tracey]

Only in so much as what I've written in this post. He took the Columbians out and started on my Corys.  This was before I removed my Pleco though, so there's a little more space for him.

They look like such sweet, timid little fish when you get them, don't they?  Boy, they have us fooled    Little monsters when they get to maturity.

I agree with the BA Tetra's, I had a school of these for a while and they were a very pretty fish, lots of movement and energy.  Another one you might want to look at is the Black Widow Tetra.  I had a school of these in with my Festive to keep her from kicking the snot out of my BGK and they are wokring well.  They're also a "different-looking" tetra with that large anal fin, even more so than the BA's, which may lessen the aggression your Geo shows towards them

[Vern]

Thanks Tracey.

I should pick up some BA tetras tomorrow as my LFS had a new batch in last week.  I've done a little research and they sound feisty enough for this set up.  I'm not really that keen on Black Widows and would prefer something with a bit more colour than they offer.  I'm also looking to pick up a bristle nose plec to replace my Common Plec that had topped 14".  I need something to help clear the algae that's building up since she was removed before Xmas. I hope I won't be tempted by some of the fancier L numbers they stock as that will only cause my bank manager to write letters to me again! 

[Vern]

Well my Geo went to town with the BA tetras.  I picked up 5 last week and today there's only 2 left! 

It's a real pity as the tank looks quite bare as it is.  I'm considering parting with my Geo and giving the tetras another go as the Chocs are so passive but I'm worried because the Geo reinforces the bond between the Chocs that I need to maintain for breeding purposes....  Hmm... decisions, decisions.... 

[Gerry]

I don't think they will spawn if the Geo's there.