180 Gallon Rainbow Aquarium

[BizTodd]

Hi Everyone - Looking for stocking guides for Rainbowfish for a 180 Gallon (200+ with sump) planted aquarium. I know I would like 3 larger species Bowsmani, Red River and Probably Irian Red. I would also like a decent school of Neon Dwarf Rainbows. My question is how many of each of the larger? I was thinking either 5 or 7 so I have one more female to male, and then like 11 Neons. What do you all think?

 

[tlindsey]

Hi Everyone - Looking for stocking guides for Rainbowfish for a 180 Gallon (200+ with sump) planted aquarium. I know I would like 3 larger species Bowsmani, Red River and Probably Irian Red. I would also like a decent school of Neon Dwarf Rainbows. My question is how many of each of the larger? I was thinking either 5 or 7 so I have one more female to male, and then like 11 Neons. What do you all think?

I personally would have one specie of Bowsmani a group of 15 but for you the 5 of each species I would suggest. Tbh don't have any experience with Neon Dwarf Rainbows.

 

[BizTodd]

I personally would have one specie of Bowsmani a group of 15 but for you the 5 of each species I would suggest. Tbh don't have any experience with Neon Dwarf Rainbows.

I can totally see the benefit of a single species in numbers, where you really get to observe their behaviors.

How do you feel about adding fish of the same species over time? The reason being I can only buy ~5 fish per month (I only have a 20 Gallon Quarantine).

 

[tlindsey]

I can totally see the benefit of a single species in numbers, where you really get to observe their behaviors.

How do you feel about adding fish of the same species over time? The reason being I can only buy ~5 fish per month (I only have a 20 Gallon Quarantine).

Yes males will compete by displaying who can out color who lol. I don't see any issue with adding more monthly.

 

[Chief Tom]

Where do the rainbows hang out? I need a shoal for the top of the tank. They have Australian rainbows near me for 13 bucks apiece. I was gonna go with hatchet fish but they look too fragile. There's nothing prettier than 4 pearl goramis showing their colors though.

 

[esoxlucius]

Hi Everyone - Looking for stocking guides for Rainbowfish for a 180 Gallon (200+ with sump) planted aquarium. I know I would like 3 larger species Bowsmani, Red River and Probably Irian Red. I would also like a decent school of Neon Dwarf Rainbows. My question is how many of each of the larger? I was thinking either 5 or 7 so I have one more female to male, and then like 11 Neons. What do you all think?

The neons will give you a fantastic flash of electric blue with red fins, gorgeous fish. The other three you mention though are mainly reds/orange, maybe a bit much. Boesemanis are stunning so may i suggest swapping the red river or Irian Red with turquoise rainbows for a bit of extra variety. The added bonus with the turquoise rainbowfish is that the females of this variety have similar great colour to the males whereas usually the females of rainbows are drab. And turquoise are also one of the larger rainbows too, getting to 4 or 5" or so. See pic below of one of mine for reference.

 

[BizTodd]

The neons will give you a fantastic flash of electric blue with red fins, gorgeous fish. The other three you mention though are mainly reds/orange, maybe a bit much. Boesemanis are stunning so may i suggest swapping the red river or Irian Red with turquoise rainbows for a bit of extra variety. The added bonus with the turquoise rainbowfish is that the females of this variety have similar great colour to the males whereas usually the females of rainbows are drab. And turquoise are also one of the larger rainbows too, getting to 4 or 5" or so. See pic below of one of mine for reference.

View attachment 1425966

I thought about turquoise, but thought blue from the neons and half the bosmani might be a bit much ?

I've never actually seen them in real life, only pictures and my LFS has a variety, so when time comes we will make the choice.

 

[burntrubber]

I had five species of rainbows crammed in a 125 once. Looked ridiculous, like a giant mixed guppy tank. I'd go with a large group of bosemani and a smaller group of Irians. Irians will double the size of bosemanis down the road.

Another interesting fish would be the madagascar rainbow. They are more top dwelling then the rest.

 

[tlindsey]

Where do the rainbows hang out? I need a shoal for the top of the tank. They have Australian rainbows near me for 13 bucks apiece. I was gonna go with hatchet fish but they look too fragile. There's nothing prettier than 4 pearl goramis showing their colors though.

When I had Bosemanis Rainbows they would shoal in the middle of the aquarium.