I have one 6" RBP in my 75gal tank. He has no other tankmates. I would like to add SOMETHING to the tank but am unsure of my options. I have read the recently posted thread concerning tankmates, but none sound that great. I have heard stories about people keeping weird things with them but only when they were added together at same time to a new tank. Any ideas? Are more RBPs out of the question? Cichlids?
Tank mates for a lone RBP?
- Thread starter lujor
- Start date
Here's what i'd consider in order.
First and foremost, more red bellies. Up to 3 more. Reaquascape the tank and add the new ones right after you finish.
2. A pleco. No gurantee there
3. Small fish you don't really care about...convicts, neon tetras, white clouds
Cichlids you could get extremely lucky with but any territorial dispute will end up with your cichlids missing it's jaw since they usually lock lips and push each other around. Also your P would nip it's fin and tails.
I have seen odd community tanks but it's debateable as to weither they really work as no one has ever stuck around or broke their tank up and moved onto something different with 3 months.
First and foremost, more red bellies. Up to 3 more. Reaquascape the tank and add the new ones right after you finish.
2. A pleco. No gurantee there
3. Small fish you don't really care about...convicts, neon tetras, white clouds
Cichlids you could get extremely lucky with but any territorial dispute will end up with your cichlids missing it's jaw since they usually lock lips and push each other around. Also your P would nip it's fin and tails.
I have seen odd community tanks but it's debateable as to weither they really work as no one has ever stuck around or broke their tank up and moved onto something different with 3 months.
all my experiences with red bellies have been positive as far as tank mates go. in my previous experiences wolf fish have proven most compatible supprisingly, they were vitually untouched. plecos worked very well.in my opinion red bellies need to be well fed and kept healthy in order for the possibility of tankmates. another thing would be lowering the temp abit.bottom dwelling fish seem to be more ignored. as for cichlids, i would not entirely suggest them as the could be territorial and stress your fish. though i have seen oscars kept with packs of redbellies. overall it is your call
Here's one of those odd community tanks...unfortunetly she took it down after maybe 3-4 months max.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCxjRy-vdoU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCxjRy-vdoU
i had a lone red with a goldfish , at first the red nipped its fins but after awhile the red would just chase the goldfish without nipping, the red was about 4 months old and the goldfish was a big feeder. it was really cool to see. i split them up and added the red to my big shoal. then one day i found the red half eaten.
try some fish that dont cost as much and then if things go well add something you like and see if it works. i think plecos are boring and crap too much. post pics when you pick a tankmate , looking forward to hear what happens good luck
try some fish that dont cost as much and then if things go well add something you like and see if it works. i think plecos are boring and crap too much. post pics when you pick a tankmate , looking forward to hear what happens good luck
How much does the size of new RBPs matter? If the new ones come from the same school will they be more likely to gang up on my existing RBP?
lujor;4302006; said:
size matters, if you go smaller theres more of a risk the newcomers will be hurt , bigger and your lone red may be at risk. i do not see them getting together and forming an alliance against your lone red. but when your talking piranha anything can happen... if i were you the new reds i add would be a bit smaller so my original specimen is more than likely going to dominate the tank. but in time things may change..
frontosablkrhom;4302043; said:
+ 1
I'd go with similiar size, no more then 2 inch difference. If you've got the room, you could easily grab small reds and grow them out to add with your big guy in 8-10 months. Depending on what the hobbys like in your area it may be pretty easy to find 6 inch piranhas since people tend to buy too many and have to thin out their shoals.
I've got the opposite problem, I'm trying to find one 6-8 inches to add to an existing shoal.
The best tankmates for reds are other pygos, and even then there are no guarentees.
Your tank could house 4-5 rbp's comfortably so as was said add reds of similar size and move your decor around so that they are all forced to establish new territories.
Personally I wouldnt even bother with neons or other dither as they will just become snacks, no convicts because they could actually own and stress out your p's.
Check Kijiji or your local classifieds as people are always selling 4-6inchers.
Good luck and keep us posted
Your tank could house 4-5 rbp's comfortably so as was said add reds of similar size and move your decor around so that they are all forced to establish new territories.
Personally I wouldnt even bother with neons or other dither as they will just become snacks, no convicts because they could actually own and stress out your p's.
Check Kijiji or your local classifieds as people are always selling 4-6inchers.
Good luck and keep us posted