Schooling Fish for 180 Gallon SA Cichlid Tank

[PatO]

Hi everyone,

in my 180 gallon tank i currently have a red spot severum, a red shoulder severum, a vieja synspilum, 6 tiger silver dollars and a school of about 20 Congo tetras. I’m looking to replace the Congo’s. Any ideas of a larger schooling fish that can hang in with my larger fish. The Congo’s do great now. The larger fish completely ignore them. Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

[Nataku]

Phantom tetras or bleeding heart tetras are a larger option that could work. So could skirt tetras, they come in a white or black option. Diamond tetras are also a neat option. Very sparkly.

I wish emperor tetras got a bit bigger as their tail shape is vaguely reminiscent to the fin shape of the male congos. 

[Yanni]

Honestly, I think that some bleeding heat tetras would look pretty good in a tank like that

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

What about Buenos Aires Tetras? They are beautiful and tough as nails. They are voracious plant eaters is the thing but skirts, diamonds, bleeding hearts and phantoms are all great. Good choices all. May I ask why you’re ditching the Congo’s?

[Paul]

Some of the larger Rasboras like Red Spot, Brilliants or even Rainbowfish will work in that tank.

Edited October 22, 2020 by Paul

[Nate s]

The red eye monk tetra get a decent size too. I have 16 of them in my 75 gallon with 3 large angelfish and 4 steel blue apistos 

[PatO]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will look into all of them. The main reason I am looking to replace the Congo's is because I think the tank needs a splash of color. I have an Aquadecour 3-D background that is brownish tan. My sand is tan.There is a big piece of driftwood that is brown. Basically I think the tank needs some additional color with the fish. My tank is not brightly lit so the color of the Congo’s  does not pop. Here is a picture from a while back. You can’t see the fish real well but you get the general idea.