Dither fish?

[Dustin3006]

So I want some dither fish for my 45 gallon breeder tank for my blue acara pair. I had 12 silvertip tetras but they were too aggressive and fin nippy. They did more harm then good for my relaxed acaras! So I want a mellow calm, tight, schooling tetra. Preferably pretty! I was looking at serpaes and black phantom man tetra. My lfs has a diamond variety that's awfully neat looking. What do you guys use for dithers and any suggestions for my tank?

 

[FreshyFresh]

I'm not a big tetra fan given I like fish that are more interactive with me. Would zebra danios or some giant danios work for you? I've never had them be nippy to other fish. What about some platys?

 

[Zmeflyby]

Mollies

 

[Dustin3006]

I'm not a big tetra fan given I like fish that are more interactive with me. Would zebra danios or some giant danios work for you? I've never had them be nippy to other fish. What about some platys?

See I have the cichlids to interact with but I just want something to distract them but still look nice. Danios are crazy fast and make my head spin And idk if platys school?

 

[Dustin3006]

Mollies

I want a tight schooling fish

 

[FreshyFresh]

See I have the cichlids to interact with but I just want something to distract them but still look nice. Danios are crazy fast and make my head spin And idk if platys school?

Platys kind of shoal together. Same with danios. They don't typically hang in one big cloud-o-fish. Like you say, you'll have to stick with some sort of tetras for that. You'll typically have some bickering among the school depending on the male/female ratio, etc.

 

[fishnatics]

I use tiger barbs but they might nip at your fish. What about lemon tetras?

 

[celebrist]

lemons would be good or bleeding hearts for a bit more size. if you like the streamlined shape you could go with rummy nose or maybe bloodfins.

i agree about the silvertips being to nippy and snarky

also as far as interactive, the larger the school the calmer and more interactive they will be

 

[Dustin3006]

I use tiger barbs but they might nip at your fish. What about lemon tetras?

I have heard a lot about those just the stock in my area dosnt have any quality ones, always look sickly and pale

 

[Dustin3006]

lemons would be good or bleeding hearts for a bit more size. if you like the streamlined shape you could go with rummy nose or maybe bloodfins.

i agree about the silvertips being to nippy and snarky

also as far as interactive, the larger the school the calmer and more interactive they will be

My silvertips were terrible! I had a decent school of them too. I really like rummy nose but I heard those are extremely active and Dart around the tank 24/7. Have you ever had any luck with emperor tetras?