Will Increasing The Group Size Help?

[CezzaXV]

Hello all!

I got my first fish about a week and a half ago. I got 6 cories and 6 cardinal tetra. The cories are fine, but the cardinals are very timid. They spend most of their time hiding in the plants at the back and when they do come out, they'll shoot back in if I move or get close to the tank.

Will increasing the size of their group make them feel safer and come out more? I was hoping to buy 2 more today, then 2 more next week if I feel it necessary.

 

[Tizer]

Yes, get some more Fish also take a while to get used to their surroundings.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Just be careful not to overload your tank. 60L isn't a huge tank, so getting a huge shoal of cardinals isn't really feasible. They get bigger than neons, so they are sizable little fish for that tank. 3-lined cories also can get a little chunky as cories go, so if you add the fish you are mentioning, you will probably end up overstocked. 6 rummynoses and the betta will definitely need to be scrapped in favor of maybe 3 more cardinals. And even at that you will be overstocked, meaning you will need to do larger water changes, and be sure not to get lazy about the frequency of the changes either. Nitrates build up faster in a tank with more fish, so bigger and more frequent regular maintenance water changes.

 

[MBOU]

I think I would be tempted to put in a pair/trio of fish that are a bit less shy as 'dithers' for the cardinals.

A Trio of male platies or a pair of honey gouramis would be nice! Small but brave and not too timid, will give the cardinals courage to come out. A trio of male guppies would work as well.

I would give the cardinals another week to get their bearings and keep testing your water, if all stays ok then maybe add a trio or pair of something...

 

[The Taffy Apple]

As has been mentioned, too many Cardinal Tetra will be too much for your 60L.
Mine are still quite timid, after being in my tank for 7 months now.

Terry.

PS; my money is on Cezza getting 'the bug' and having a bigger tank by the new year

 

[CezzaXV]

Haha, I am kind of on the lookout for a cheap 125L!

My sig is a bit out of date now as I've changed my eventual stocking plan.

I'm doing twice weekly 10L water changes (about 20%, give or take) so my water quality should be top notch. There is a bit of a difference in pH between my tap and tank water, so more frequent, smaller changes is preferable to me.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ferplast-Cayman-80-Professional-Aquarium-120L-Extras-VGC-Tropical-Fish-Tank-/320798001572?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item4ab10d09a4


South Yorkshire, if it's any help ?

Terry.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Good plan Cezza...