Re-doing my 45g with Stumps & Rainbows

[Tom P.]

Re-doing my 45g anticipating dwarf neon rainbows, but wondering if other rainbows would do okay? Love the Bosemani but concerned about size. Also re-doing the aquascape and considering tree stump look. Any suggestions? I currently have 2 F/1M Threadfins that are great.

 

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

I’d say that other melanotaenia species would be too big for the 3’ length. They like a lot of swimming room laterally and don’t care about vertical space as much. People do 20 L for breeding setups but boesmani need that extra room for day to day living. Maybe Kamaka could work. You could do a Rhadinocentrus species - super underrated but hard to come by other than on Aquabid , Madagascar could work or a nice size group of Pseudomeugils if you’re going for a rainbow only tank they’d be fine with that kind of room it would look awesome though a big group could be spendy but I remember seeing nice size groups for a reasonable price in aquahuna. 

[Tom P.]

Thanks. Will check out your suggestions. Have seen quite a few state that they are raising their bosemani in a 45g, but sounds like they are pushing it. I'm mainly interested in getting something with the appropriate size and lots of color. Not locked into rainbows but love their look.

 

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

@Tom P.I love rainbows, there are several rainbow groups on FB I’ve belonged to over the years. 

[mynameisnobody]

I’ve kept many rainbow species and I other than Pseudomogils, I would not house them in anything less than a 4’ tank. They utilize the whole aquarium. Also, in order to get all the natural behaviors, would be another reason. 

[Tom P.]

Thanks Beardedbillygoat1, will check out some of the FB groups. 

I know that I can put whatever I want in my tank, but I really want to make sure that I'm not stressing the fish. I try to keep a heavily planted aquascape with plenty of hiding places. I'm not concerned about breeding if that is an issue for any of the species. I've had the threadfins for about 6 months and they are doing great - very subtle colors but beautiful.