Rummynose Tetra as dithers for apisto tank?

[Si]

Hi,

I'm looking for options on dithers for my 40G apisto tank. Currently got:

6 peppered corys
2 ancistrus
3 pairs of A.Borellii - yeh I know what youre gonna say but theyve staked out three totally sep teritories so I may get away with it Failing that two of the males will be returned
3 ottocinclus

Tank is heavily planted with bogwood & sand substrate. PH 6.5, kh <2, temp 26 average, nitrate/ite/amm all zero, 30% water change weekly etc
etc

Was originally gonna add cardinal tetras but I spotted the Rummynose Tetra in my lfs when picking up the apistos yesterday, liked the look of em so am looking for opnions on suitabililty.

My aim is the create a south amazonian biotope so am trying to stick to that as much as poss which so far am succeeding.

What other dithers would make a nice change from the run of the mill neons etc?

Si

 

[Peter Lovett1]

Rummynose Tetra are probably one of the better dither fish you can get.

If you want somthing diffrent go pencils.

 

[Moi_Eater]

Hi Si,

Rummynose tetras are great dithers. I have 10 of them in my planted 55g with apistos and cories. Now all I need are some otos (hard to find around here).

Pencilfish should do great also, I am planning on getting some.

 

[Si]

Thanks guys,

I'll get some then Should make a nice change from cardinals too.

Si

 

[farm41]

another vote for rummynose tetras, I have 20 of them in my 75, with curviceps and M. altispinosa

 

[Xanathos]

Great dither fishes, but they,re also great specialisez fry eaters.

Phil

 

[fishgeek]

I have to second the hunting ability warning
never seen anything devour guppy fry like my rummynose's

 

[Si]

Well i've added em now, got a nice shoal of 12 - look lost in the tank due to it's size but it's brought out whats left of my apistos!

Si

 

[skwelch]

rummeynoses make me tired watching them, they are so fast and active all the time, like on a caffiene rush all the time
theyre nice lookin tho

they probly wont get a chance to eat any fry anyway, i reckon the corys will have the eggs before they get a chance to hatch, dont forget cichlids cant see in the dark, makes it very hard for them to defend the eggs with sneaky hungry corys about
its ok if your not looking to breed the apistos

 

[aspen]

>>'dont forget cichlids cant see in the dark,...'

if you have any expectation of keeping any of your apisto spawns in your community tanks, leave a small light on in the room at night. almost any fish will eat fry when the parents can't see them or have gone to sleep.

i consider rummy's to be good dithers for the more agressive quicker fish, esp cacatuoides, rams or discus. my discus have killed almost all other tetras, including congos, but have never been able to kill rummy's. others describe discus as peaceful community fish, but i have seen mine kill almost anything smaller than them, including cory's, glowlights, neons, cardinals, dwarf bushy's and even a 6" bushynose pleco.

rick