It's Tetra Time!

[Naringlo]

Hello all!

I didn't know where to put this so I'm putting it here in the general section.

What Tetras (or other shoaling fish) go with Angelfish? Is any Tetra possible?

I have cardinals but I get a feeling even at their full size, they will probably be eaten.

The tank will be heavily planted but that's all I can really say since I don't have it yet.

Thanks in advance for the replies!

 

[Ruskull]

Serpae Tetras & Black Skirt Tetras should be okay with Angelfish.

 

[Naringlo]

I never heard of Serpae Tetra but they are very nice. They're like a better version of black phantoms!

 

[Ruskull]

Serpae Tetras are also known as Red Minor Tetras. They are known to be fin nippers especially if they're kept in too small of a group. You should get at very least the minimum of (6) fish and better if you can fit more. The theory is the Serpaes will keep their aggression amongst themselves. Not that Angels can't take care of themselves but keep an eye on them and good luck.

 

[random919]

i think rummy nose tetras will go with angelfish and they are lovely little fish when in a shoal. They have a red head and a white body and a stripy black/blue and white tail. they are georgous!(well in my opinion anyway!)

 

[Naringlo]

Oh there is such thing as Red Phantom Tetras haha. I like those, fairly similar to serpae.

Yeah I'll get at least 10. If I have pace, maybe 20. or 2 x 10 of shoalers.

I am liking the red, like the rummy nose tetra, serpae, red phantom and rosy tetra. Suppose it will come down to what my LFS has and the parameters they prefer. Tetras seem a little delicate and die easily with me. I always have to buy one extra than I want.

Anyway, are there any other nice looking fish? I think I got my red choices. Don't have to be tetras by the way!

And thank you to the suggestions so far, they have been helpful!

 

[MBOU]

Any tetra that gets large, is deep in the body (top to bottom, not length wise) and isnt too nippy.

Personally I would never recommend keeping Serpae Tetras with angels, im sure some people get away with it but i have seen so many instances of it not working that its just not worth the risk! I had a shoal of 15 Serpaes in with 15 adult Tiger Barbs and they were together for 9 months before the Serpaes obviously had a change of heart and overnight i lost all but one of the Tiger Barbs to the Serpaes savaging them like piranhas (we saw them attacking the second from last and the poor tatty last one in the morning. Was hardly a small tank at 260L!

Depending on tank sizes as some (like te Congos need much larger tanks!)

-Congo Tetra (240L+ imo, they get big and are fast swimmers)
-Rosy Tetras
-Black Phantom Tetra
-Red Phantom Tetra
-White Fin Bentosi Tetra
-Columbian Tetra
-Red Eye Tetra
-Rummynose Tetra (wrong shape but they are generally fast enough to get out the way... though tbh my angels just ate rummynose!)
-Silver Tip Tetra
-Penguin Tetra (not great for shoaling as they hang about the top!)
-XRay Tetra
-Bleeding Heart Tetra
-Buenos Aires Tetra (possibly one for a larger tank like the congos)
-Diamond Tetra
-Emperor Tetra
-Lemon Tetra

Also:

-Harlequin Rasbora (get the biggest ones you can!)
-Volcano Rasbora
-Emerald Eye Rasbora
-Scissortail Rasbora
-Sawbwa Resplendens (asian rummynose?)
-Rhombo Barbs
-Pentazona Barbs
-Checkered Barbs
-Lined Barbs

Sure I could come up with more... LOL

 

[Naringlo]

Wow, what a list! Thank you very much.

Funny enough, I was just looking into Rasboras and barbs. I thought barbs are nippy?

I haven't even heard of half those tetras so going to have a look.

Tank will either be 180L or 240L. The Juwel Rio series.

Actually, would 2 shoals look awful?

 

[fluttermoth]

I was just going to say I'd definitely avoid serpaes (and black widows too for that matter; sorry Ruskull!), but MBOU beat me too it

Don't get Congos either; I've had to move my angel today because they've been nipping him

Definitely get one shoal rather than two; it'll look much more impressive, IMO.

 

[Naringlo]

Oh right. I'll remember that. Congos are looking a bit on the big side anyway, so I'm fine with that. I'm glad I got some good advice on these tetras, I just thought they were harmless, scared but nice looking shoalers.

Wooo Cornwall advice!

 

[Ruskull]

Hey, I did put in a disclaimer about the fin nipping! Serpaes are famous for it even though I've never owned them, my father has a few & they don't nip any other fish in his tank. Just saying............

What about a few pairs of Cherry Barbs? They don't nip at all & since the males & females are colored so differently, it's almost like having 2 different kinds of fish.

 

[Ruskull]

If you like the shape of the Serpaes but not the nipping, maybe try Lemon Tetras. They are excellent schoolers & they have that perfect Tetra shape. Not the most colorful Tetra though.

 

[Naringlo]

If that was aimed at me, my apologies, I usually re read them later at night because I don't always read things properly. :L

I've never had barbs before. But they do look quite cool. Easy to keep?

 

[Ruskull]

If that was aimed at me, my apologies, I usually re read them later at night because I don't always read things properly. :L

I've never had barbs before. But they do look quite cool. Easy to keep?

The Barbs to stay away from would be Tiger Barbs, they're very nippy. Cherry Barbs are not nippy at all, I have 3 pairs in the tank in my signature. The males are super bright red & the females are brown & gray with an orange horizontal stripe. They chase each other around playfully but don't really school that well, at least mine don't.

 

[Naringlo]

They look really nice. I might go with a good shoaler and then get 6 cherry barbs. I do like a good mix of colours.