Tankmates for my Rasboras

Question
QUESTION: I just got 4 Harlequin Rasboras for my 5 gallon tank. It has a power filter labeled 10 - 20 gallons (a bit big, i know), no heater, and the light is broken currently. I already have a male guppy, but i'm going to remove him soon, he's a bully. It's almost fully cycled, i assume, becuase it isn't foamy anymore. I'm going to add a few more in a week or two (so they'll have a little shoal), I just didn't want to add too many at one time. What would be good tankmates for those rasboras? I'd like to have a some what large, peaceful fish in there that isn't going to eat them. But a couple of medium fish would look nice too. I'd also like all the fish to be from the same place, but that isn't too important, just a little personal thing i have. I'm fairly new to fish keeping, so nothing too diffucult. Thank you!

ANSWER: Hi Brianna,
 Hmmm... your tank should never be foamy.  Have you been doing regular weekly partial water changes?  You should be changing 25% of the water once a week, every week to keep your fish happy and healthy.  I would not recommend adding any larger fish to that tank, for two reasons. First, there isn't space and secondly, a larger fish will bully or eat your raspboras almost regardless of what kind of fish it is.  I would stick with the raspboras in that tank.  If you want a different species in there as well, consider zebra danios.  

-- Ron C.
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It was "new tank syndrome" foamy.
Honestly, I've only changed the water once (maybe, 10%) about a week ago, and I've have the tank set up for almost two months. I check to water weekly, and Ammonia never goes above 0.
To me, large is 3 inches. Size is relative, i guess. I really don't like the look of Zebra danios. I don't know why. Any other fish?
Thanks again!

Answer
Hi Brianna,
 Even a new tank should never be foamy.  You absolutely need to do those weekly water changes or I suspect all your fish are going to die soon.  You can do water changes more frequently than once a week, but you should only change 25% of the water at a time. BTW, I never trust those little test kits that fish stores sell; they seldom tell you any accurate information.
I would do the water changes for several weeks before you consider adding any new fish.  As for other fish, you might consider some of the smaller tetras (e.g., lemon tetras, bleeding heart tetras, etc. there are dozens to choose from).

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>