Tetra Compatability!

[Arashi]

I've been thinking about starting up a tetra tank lately, mainly because I've completely fallen in love with my serpaes and silvertips in my 25 gallon tank. So I was wondering what types of tetras are compatible?

I'm probably going to go for another 25 gallon or a 30 gallon for this tank, I don't want it too big, but I want to get several different kinds of tetras schooling in it.

These are the types I've been looking at:
Neons (obviously...can't have a tetra tank without 'em! )
Black Widows
Red Phantoms
Diamonds
Glowlights
Penguins
Yellow-tailed Congos

Now obviously I won't be able to get them all, due to availability and space restrictions, but I did just want to know that if I did pick out of this list that they would all be ok with each other. I'm planning on getting schools of 5-8 for each type. The tank will be well planted with plenty of hiding places, and I'll probably add a smaller plec, like a Bristlenose, or some corys or ottos.

Thank you!

 

[Lateral Line]

>>> I want to get several different kinds of tetras schooling in it.

In a tank that size, you are unlikely to see schooling behaviour. Schooling is a defensive mechanism most often seen in large open spaces.

Space wise, if you don't want to overstock, and leave room for a couple of Corys, then at 5-8 of a species, you'll be limited to probably 3 species of small tetras, (Neons, Glowlights etc.), 2 species of the larger types, (Diamond, Black Widow). If they are genuine Yellow Tailed Congos, maybe those as well, the majority of Congo Tetras grow to big to keep in a tank that size.

All are peaceful enought though.

 

[Nina7777]

I have to agree....the only ones on your list that I wouldn't suggest to go in a smaller tank would be the congo's.

But all the other ones shoud be fine.

My personal fave are the red-eye tetra's.....there not on your list but they do look very nice when schoaling.

I wouldn't heavily plant the tank if I were you though, if you want to see the schooling behavior. Like lateral line said if they do not feel a tad bit threatened than they tend not to school.

 

[Arashi]

Thanks guys for the input! I can always go with a bigger tank if I want, but I'm in an apartment, and I have plans for two 55 gallons already...I have no idea where I'm going to put all these tanks.

So, I'll keep tetra tank not-so-heavily planted, and maybe I'll see about getting a bigger tank...like a 45 or maybe even another 55...but we'll have to see...my Clown Loach/Gourami tank and my Cichlid tank get first dibs on the 55s.

Lateral - Yeah, I know the Yellow Congos can get pretty big...I don't even know if I can get them around here...they sure are pretty though. And I have no problem with only having two or three types of tetras, it just depends on what I can get. I really like the Diamonds, but I don't know if they are available around here either...

Nina - Red-eyes are available here in one of my lfs, but I don't know if I care for them too much. Then again I've never seen them school, as they are in a tank by themselves, so I haven't seen their true potential. Maybe I'll give them a try.

 

[Sorrell]

Lemon tetras are really cool ones too, I don't know if you have considered them, but they are some of my favorites.

 

[Arashi]

Actually I had completely forgotten about Lemons! I had a few in a previous tank of mine and I loved them! They have such pretty colors. Thanks for jogging my brain there Sorrell!

 

[NEON98101]

I figure I should join this post since I do love them tetras. I got a tank with several Neons and few Glow-lights, some Lemons and a pair of silver hatchet and a group of Panda corys.
I know I should've bought more hatchet but I have this pair for almost 2 years and I'm almost positive that thay are indeed a PAIR from the way they interact. So I don't want to mess it up by adding more. Although they do recommend to have a group like 6 of them. Anyway, beside tank is pretty well stocked anyway.
Neons and Glow-lights school together sometime. I have mix of regular and albino, well Neon is partial albino and sold as gold or white neon. As much as I like Lemon but they can be greedy pig try to eat all the food. They even try to swallow 1" long earthworm I chop up for my corys. Half sticking out of their mouth and the other Lemon try to chase the one with worm. It is kind of funny but I'm thinking about replacing them with smaller prettier tetra I saw at the store recently. I saw 2 small tetras(one was called white star tetra and the other called ember tetra) and I liked their colors.
Beside I bred every fish in the tank except hatchet fish and I might want to try to breed another small tetras. Also, I got this 2 for 1 coupon at the store selling those small tetra. They are smaller than Neon. I can only use 1 coupon per day so I might have to go 3 times and get 6 for price of 3.
Anyway, beside all these tetras. I might get some gold tetra or pristine tetra if I have bigger tank. Some reason, I don't care much about the Cardinals tetras. I prefer the Neons over Cardinals. Then, their price really dropped within last year or so. I may try some someday. And maybe add some pencil fish. I like my hatchet fish. And I finally got some WINGLESS fruits fly culture for them. And feel much better for them now. They eat flakes and other food but I was worried that they don't get any live food especially some insect. Since I know that is their natural food. So I was happy to find the WINGLESS and not flightless fruits fly culture at the local aquarium society auction. I or my neighboors don't want any flying insect buzzing around. Flys or mosquitos. So now I got this insect hop and jump but not flying. And hatchet suppose to love them but they either learn to move quicker than Lemon or I may have to move Lemon. They are super quick greedy little Pirahna. That is another reason I'm thinking replacing Lemon.
Anyway, I wish I have space to put bigger tank. Then, I'll make the tank out of the fish I mentioned. And make South American Amazon biotope tank. Maybe I'll add some Diamond tetra which is one of the bigger tetra I like. And maybe get a pair of Ram and try to breed them also. Although I read that cory might annoy Ram, especially when they are in breeding condition. But bigger tank there maybe enough space for both.
Heck, if I have more space I'll get some group of Angels and grow them to breeding pair. And may even save up enough money for all the gudgets and fish for Discus. But for now, I got this peaceful tetra/cory/hatchet tank. And smaller tetra/panda cory conditioning tank turned into panda's breeding tank. And lots of small container and air-tubes everywhere hatching and raising all them panda eggs and frys. I still need to improve the way I raise them since I don't think I'm getting enough fish growing up considering the number of eggs I'm getting every weeks. Almost all of them hatch and feed and grow to 2 weeks or so. And I lose lots of the fry around 3~4 weeks. Right now I grow them with sand substrate but I am considering getting rid of the sand and make it to bare tank. Anyway, I should post this in cory section.

 

[Lateral Line]

The Yellow Tailed Congo Tetra, Hemigrammopetersius caudalis, doesn't grow as big as the regular Congo Tetra, Phenacogrammus interruptus. The Yellow Tailed typically grows to 70-75mm - the regular Congo 10-15mm larger. There are regulars that have yellow tails, the real Yellow Tailed, is not seen as often as it should be.

The Black Neon, Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi is also a very elegant looking tetra which is a good contrast to the other small tetras. An understated fish IMHO.

 

[Arashi]

So, I'd better be careful when buying the Yellow Congos (if I can get them) to make sure I get the right ones huh? And I do like the Black Neons, quite a bit, but I'm not sure if I can get them around here either...maybe I can get them ordered special for me. The thing is, I will only shop at one lfs around here and we have three. The others are not good business's ecpecially when it comes to animals.