Red Minor Tetra

[julielynn47]

Has anyone got any experience with the Red Minor Tetra?  I am thinking about getting  a few tomorrow and I am wondering if they will do well with the fish I already have.  I have listed them below.  
 
I am wondering about aggression and such. Will they try to eat anything that is in my tank now for instance. Do they eat plants?   Weird question maybe, but I once had some Golden Barbs and they ate their way through every plant I had in the tank.  So although I like them alright, I do  not want more of them for that reason.  Cherry Barbs are pretty, but they eat or chase relentless, my ghost shrimp.   
 
So that is what I needing to know about the  Red Minor Tetra.  I have read and researced, but I would also like some info from people who have had experience with them
 
In my tank already are the following -- 
Albino Cories
Pristilla's
Scissor Tails
neon Tetras 
Sunset Gourami
Kuli Loach 
Butterfly Loach
2 Snails
Ghost Shrimp
 
Thanks in advance!

 

[Munroco]

Have kept Serpae tetras which I think are the same/similar. They are fairly innoffensive but have a reputation as fin nippers. You don't have any long finned fishes so I don't see them being a problem.

 

[Byron]

This is the same as the Serpae Tetra (usually anyway), but I am going to go a bit further, and suggest you forget this species.  First, it should be kept in larger groups than some other characins, say 10+ with more even better.  This has the effect of keeping the nipping within the group, and the more there are the less this may occur though not guaranteed.  You haven't indicated the tank size, and this is a major factor in the aggressiveness of this species.
 
The reason this "species" is somewhat variable is involved.  The currently-accepted species is Hyphessobrycon eques, but there is good reason to believe this may be a species complex.  This term means that there may be two or more distinct species under the same name.  The "species" has a huge distribution range in South America, and whenever a species is so geographically widespread there is good reason to expect distinct species, or subspecies, or simply variants.  Dr. Stanley Weitzman at the Smithsonian has done extensive work on this clade over a couple of decades and written about its variances.  Add to this the fact that this "species" has been commercially bred for many years and you have another factor affecting the fish.  Aggressive traits may turn up in individual fish more or less than the "norm."  So it is always a risk.
 
If you want a fish very similar to this beauty (isn't it annoying that some of the most beautiful small fish can be such nasty fellows--the Tiger Barb is another) have a look for the Red Phantom.  Extremely peaceful, and a beautiful bright red.  Other related species are the Rosy Tetra (more pink-purple than red) and the Roberti Tetra (also mauvish).  All of these are probably very closely related, perhaps forming a distinct genus, but more phylogenetic work is needed.
 
Byron.

 

[julielynn47]

Thanks for the replys.  Sorry I forgot the tank size. It is a 55 gallon aquarium.  I was thinking about getting 5 of them.  But I will look for others as well. I  only want very friendly community fish in this tank.

 

[Byron]

Thanks for the replys.  Sorry I forgot the tank size. It is a 55 gallon aquarium.  I was thinking about getting 5 of them.  But I will look for others as well. I  only want very friendly community fish in this tank.

 
Five would really be asking for trouble.  I also see I missed the gourami previously...this is a sedate fish and should never be in with nippy-inclined fish.
 
Whatever shoaling fish you consider, keep in mind that a larger group will always be beneficial, for various reasons beyond aggression but that is still an issue with even peaceful shoaling fish in small numbers, again especially with sedate fish (gourami) present too.  I would aim for 7-8 or more of whatever.  The rasbora are another suitable group of fish.

 

[julielynn47]

I have pretty much just backed out on getting them.  I will just get some other fish that I don't have to worry about. My 55 gallon is very "community" non aggression and I want to keep it that way.