Keeping Multiple Variations Of The Same Species

[gbuckingham89]

I'm new to the world of Fishkeeping and have a quick question. Is it a good idea of keeping different variations of the same species - for example 8 neon tetras and 8 penguin tetras? Does it differ depending on which variations of the species are put in the tank? Also, how about two variations of corys?

Thanks!

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I'm pretty sure the vast majority of the same species can live together.. one example is my Cardinal and Goldfinch Tetra, but they are community fish.

Something like Cherry and Tiger Barbs may cause issues from what i gather. I only have 3 Albino Cory and don't plan on getting anymore, so couldn't comment on that.

Terry.

 

[Louiseness]

I believe that fish of different colour variations (ie different platies, albino/bronze cories) will school together as they are essentially the same.

However, different types of cory (peppered, panda, etc) may not be so keen to do so as they are slightly different species. The same with different types of tetra - someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

But I can't think of any actual PROBLEMS , per se, with keeping them together.

 

[BigTom]

For peaceful community fish types that should be fine, however it's always worth researching each individual species to make sure there aren't issues with aggression etc. Personally I also prefer to have larger groups of fewer different species, rather than a 'hodge podge' of different fish - you'll often find the fish appear happier and display different behaviours if kept in larger groups.

As a side note - species refers to a single type of fish, eg. 'neon tetra', 'penguin tetra' are different species, whilst 'tetras' in general would be considered a biological family (in broad terms).

 

[KkAaNnEe]

+1, although i have cardinals, neons, black neons and a lone penguin tetra

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Single species, like albino, green and tiger barbs will all shoal together. But as mentioned above, the ones you referenced, OP, are not the same species.

 

[gbuckingham89]

Ok, thanks for the advice, I'll probably end up sticking with one species for each family. As BigTom mentioned, I think it will look better too.

Thanks for clearing up the variations / families / species terminology too.

 

[thisguyek]

the best possible thing you can do is RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!! I've been keeping fish for a few years and I'm still learning new things! I have found this sight to be absolutely amazing with the pool of knowledge from everyone! use it to your advantage!

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Ok, thanks for the advice, I'll probably end up sticking with one species for each family. As BigTom mentioned, I think it will look better too.

Thanks for clearing up the variations / families / species terminology too.

Yeh if it were me I would much rather have 16 tetras schooling together rather than have 8 of 2 different species. This is also better for the fish

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes; I've found the more and more of one type you have, the better and better they look.

I've got a 55g in my bedroom and I've been putting in more and more green neons over the last year; I've now got 42 in there now and they're breathtaking really. They don't school all that often (only if my son slams his bedroom door, lol), but they just look lovely