Black Neons?

[danb_1985]

just a quick question. do black neons shoal/school with the normal neons? fancied a couple but didn't want to have to buy 5 for them to be comfortabl.

 

[Colin_T]

yep. All tetras are schooling fish with the exception of splashing tetras and their relatives. Splashing tetras (Copiena & Copella sp) live in schools when young but pair off when mature.

 

[onlinebug]

Sounds like a black phantom tetra? Yes they are schooling fish, and look wonderful when they are together and boring and not lively at all when they are alone.

 

[waterdrop]

I took a bit of the question to be (correct me danb) whether the black neons will only want to school with other black neons or whether they will school with others like neons and cardinals. Seems like I remember from years ago that most schooling species will stick with exactly their own type, given the choice. But I don't remember, if I ever knew, how much they will school with another type when they are in the minority and another type is forming a school. Maybe you were saying that in your answers but I couldn't tell.

 

[Davo86]

Sounds like a black phantom tetra? Yes they are schooling fish, and look wonderful when they are together and boring and not lively at all when they are alone.

black neon and black phantom are two different fish

If you want to keep any tetra species successfully then you really will need a bare minimum of 4, (ideally more)
black neons may well be forced into schooling with the neons or another similar fish if they feel threatened but in a peaceful setup they could well just swim alone.

 

[purplekaz]

I have 6 black neons in my tank.
For the first day or so after adding them, they stuck together and even joined the cherry barbs in shoaling.
Now they're more comfortable they just explore the tank alone.
They play with each other once in a while, but they don't produce the shoal effect like I was expecting.

To answer your question I think you need to provide 5/6+ of the same type of tetra for them to be happiest.
Just don't be disappointed if they don't hang around together all the time!
It's just a sign they're happy and feel comfortable going out alone.