How Many Neons?

[XeroTolerance]

Hello everyone!

I have a ten gallon tank (sig) with only 1 Flame tetra. Yes, the other 4 have died because while I was away a disaster struck. The one flame tetra is really happy with all the room. In fact, his colors are better then when he was with the other flame tetras! I figure that I do not want to add other flame tetras because I really like the one I have. I know it sounds weird but I feel like he is a survivor and I want him to stand out. I am thinking about neon tetras. I am just stuck at how many I can add maximum and how fast I should add them.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[cambojnr]

probs about 9

 

[Blitz]

Neon tetras in a ten gallon...

You could add them, but it may be a little overstocked. Ok, overstocked isn't the right word but like... a little too much to add for a ten gallon. I've learned my Do's&Don'ts from my other forum. The good rule of thumb is 1 gallon per inch of tropical fish. Yes, if may seem fair, but I was never 'brought up' that way. Me, being a child, I still have lots to learn yet. I wouldn't put any neons on there, but you could.
9 neon tetras in that ten gallon? I would only put 4 or 5 in at the most.


~What about cherry barbs? They're really small.

 

[XeroTolerance]

I agree with you. 9 sounds a little bit too much. Plus the inch per gallon "rule" is just a guide line. 5 neons produce a small bio-load compared to a 5 inch pleco.

I think I am going to go with 5. Thanks for your input.

 

[malajulinka]

I had six neons alone in a 10-gallon for years. An LFS error at one point upped me to 5 neons and 6 cardinals (long story), so I took the opportunity to quit stalling on my upgrade. Now that they are in the 30-gallon, they are SO much happier - schooling, and swimming, doing stuff. So yeah, you *could* put maybe 6 neons in there. They'd probably be fine. But given the size of the tank they won't have too much room to do their tetra thing, and you probably won't get much out of them.

If you're looking for a shoaling fish, maybe try one of the microrasboras?

 

[malajulinka]

Taken out due to slow-computer double posting!

 

[Zante]

Mmm... I'd advise against tetras. They are fast swimmers and need some length to swim freely. A 10 gallon wouldn't give them that length. I'm not saying they will die or that it's overstocked, but I believe that you should provide the best possible environment for your fish.

Have you considered making a shrimp tank?
Or possibly a male betta o a male dwarf gourami?

 

[XeroTolerance]

Thanks for your help!

I had six neons alone in a 10-gallon for years. An LFS error at one point upped me to 5 neons and 6 cardinals (long story), so I took the opportunity to quit stalling on my upgrade. Now that they are in the 30-gallon, they are SO much happier - schooling, and swimming, doing stuff. So yeah, you *could* put maybe 6 neons in there. They'd probably be fine. But given the size of the tank they won't have too much room to do their tetra thing, and you probably won't get much out of them.

If you're looking for a shoaling fish, maybe try one of the microrasboras?

Unfortunately my LFS doesn't sell microrasboras. I thought the neons were a good idea because they were the smallest fish they had. I also thought that since if they are kept in that tiny tank at the store that they would be happier in a 10 gallon.

Mmm... I'd advise against tetras. They are fast swimmers and need some length to swim freely. A 10 gallon wouldn't give them that length. I'm not saying they will die or that it's overstocked, but I believe that you should provide the best possible environment for your fish.

Have you considered making a shrimp tank?
Or possibly a male betta o a male dwarf gourami?

I agree with you. I only have 1 flame tetra in my 10 gallon tank and he is doing perfect. His colors are a deep, dark red. Redder (haha) than any fish I have ever seen at the LFS. Do you think the neons would still benefit even though another species from their family did?

 

[malajulinka]

I agree with you. I only have 1 flame tetra in my 10 gallon tank and he is doing perfect. His colors are a deep, dark red. Redder (haha) than any fish I have ever seen at the LFS. Do you think the neons would still benefit even though another species from their family did?

Then why not get him some friends instead? He will be happier, and when you upgrade (because in this hobby, it's never an "if", is it? ) you can move the whole group on up!

 

[TekFish]

Chili...Rasboras... Oh right!
Pygmy...Corydoras... Woohooo!

However don't you think it's a teeny bit unfair denying this tetra it's shoaling instinct?
I was put in the same place as you when I was left with one Corydoras Adolfoi.
Do you know what I did? Nothing... and I felt bad about it.
I found out I was denying it it's shoaling instinct. So I asked if I could get Panda Corys. [which look similar but not the same]
Answer was 'Yeah but it won't be as happy'.

Bottom line is, buy it some friends. It won't be happy on it's own.

What I would do is see if you can buy it a bigger tank, and then get a nice shoal of flame tetras, and some other stuff. If you cant get another tank put some more flame tetra in this tank with some pygmy corys. Then it'll be happy.

TekFish