Mixing Tetra

[DanielG]

Hi all i would like to have a mixture of different tetra in my tank but have nt got space for 7 of each type,

could i have 5 neons, and 5 rummynoses and would they school together?

Thanks

 

[community begginer]

should be ok..... go for it..... post piccies when ur done ... i wanna see.

 

[bubblesburst80]

i have redfin colombian tetras and black neons and sometimes they even hang out together

xXx

 

[xxBarneyxx]

They "might" shoal together but they might not. I kept a large group of rummy nose tetras with a large group of cardinal tetras and sometimes they would all swim together and sometimes they wouldn't. I have also kept a small group of glowlights with a large group of neons and they all stayed together all the time

How good is the filtration on your tank, rummy nose tetras are very sensitive so need very good water quality. If you have good filtration then maybe think about getting 6 of each. If you do get Rummy nose tetras make them the last fish you add and give your tank a couple of months to mature.

Personally I think tetras are best kept in groups of at least 12 as this is when you will really see them at their best. In smaller groups they tend to just get lost in the tank and are not as active. If it was me I would get 10-12 Neon Tetra's.

Also I noticed in your signature you where planning on Male guppies. You might want to reconsider this. While tetras are generally very peaceful some don't seem to be able to resist nipping long fins. This is not always the case though as I have also kept long-finned danio's with various tetra's and not had to many problems (just something to be aware of).

 

[DanielG]

i was originally going to get 10 neons, but then alot of people have said that after a few weeks neons will not school anymore and just swim around on their own, have you known this to be the case barney?

 

[Lynda B]

I have red eyes, serpaes and black phantoms in my community tank and, sometimes they shoal, sometimes they don't.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

i was originally going to get 10 neons, but then alot of people have said that after a few weeks neons will not school anymore and just swim around on their own, have you known this to be the case barney?

A lot of shoaling/schooling fish will act in the same way. When they are relaxed they tend to drift off into little groups. They shoal more if there is something else in the tank they perceive as a threat or competition and they always shoal at dinner time

They might stay together more in a smaller group as they will do it for "protection" but they will also then tend to hide up a lot more. For example a group of 5 or 6 typically will stay closer to the bottom and stay within the plants or towards the back of the tank. A larger group of 10-12 will come out a lot more and use more levels of the tank (at least in my experience anyway).