Looking for recommendations for my "centerpiece" fish!

[1hawaii50]

I've got a 38 gallon aquarium, and I'm currently stocked with:
6 Praecox Rainbows (2 male/4 female)
2 Rainbow Platys
2 Red Tux Platys
4 Panda Corys
2 Cory Rabauti
1 Rubbernose/Bulldog Pleco

Tank temp is 75F. I'm running an AC110 filter. I am looking for a fish to be the "centerpiece" of the tank. I tried a German Blue Ram and I bumped the temp up to 81F for him. He only lasted 4 days, and I lost 2 of my Pandas in the process. I want a fish or two that can tolerate a water temp of 75F, and will do well with the "hyper" Praecox Rainbows. Any recommendations are appreciated!

 

[manlyfish]

if he only lasted 4 days then you did something REALLY wrong keep rams at 75 not 81
try a rainbow shark

 

[1hawaii50]

if he only lasted 4 days then you did something REALLY wrong keep rams at 75 not 81
try a rainbow shark

Most everything I've seen on keeping rams says 80-85 degree water temps. I'm sure you've never bought any fish from a LFS that died through no fault of your own. Also, a Rainbow Shark would be a fine idea...let's put a territorial fish that can grow to 6" in a tank with 2" fish. I'm really hoping you're joking here.

 

[iloveoscars702]

african butterfly fish

 

[1hawaii50]

african butterfly fish

Thank you...I've never seen one in any of my LFS, but I'm going to keep my eyes open for them....a very interesting fish!

 

[Blackwater13]

I've got a 38 gallon aquarium, and I'm currently stocked with:
6 Praecox Rainbows (2 male/4 female)
2 Rainbow Platys
2 Red Tux Platys
4 Panda Corys
2 Cory Rabauti
1 Rubbernose/Bulldog Pleco

Tank temp is 75F. I'm running an AC110 filter. I am looking for a fish to be the "centerpiece" of the tank. I tried a German Blue Ram and I bumped the temp up to 81F for him. He only lasted 4 days, and I lost 2 of my Pandas in the process. I want a fish or two that can tolerate a water temp of 75F, and will do well with the "hyper" Praecox Rainbows. Any recommendations are appreciated!

Perhaps a blue Paradise Fish??

Also if you're into Rams try Bolivians next time. Much more hardy and less sensitive to water conditions from what I've read. I own two in a 35 gallon community.

 

[1hawaii50]

Perhaps a blue Paradise Fish??

Also if you're into Rams try Bolivians next time. Much more hardy and less sensitive to water conditions from what I've read. I own two in a 35 gallon community.

Thanks, I don't think I've ever seen any Bolivians at my LFS. I'll also check into the "blue paradise".

 

[CTU2fan]

Rainbow cichlid might work too.

 

[Blackwater13]

Thanks, I don't think I've ever seen any Bolivians at my LFS. I'll also check into the "blue paradise".

Bolivian Rams aren't quite as colorful but still very attractive and interesting in their own right. They look and act like mini-geophagus. Probably why their called Mikrogeophagus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikrogeophagus_altispinosus

Blue Paradise fish are sometimes also called Paradise Gouramis. There is a black variant also.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_fish

 

[wwcichlids]

Yeah, Bolivian rams are nice. You can go with a pair of them or a Pair of Keyhole Cichlids or a pair of Curviceps Cichlids or a Pair of Kribensis. Any 2-3 inch dwarf cichlid will work nicely and will most likely breed in your tank. Always cool to watch the interaction in a community setting and you will get some survivors if the tank is aquascaped and planted well. Even when breeding these small cichlids do not raise terror like their larger counterparts. Good Luck and Take Care