Mixing Tetra Species?

[CichlidTetra]

Hey all, I am planning on making a 10 gallon (for now, size will be upgraded) tetra aquarium. have done tons of research and know all requirements, habitat, and food requirements, but haven'r found anything on the question I am about to ask. I want to make it planted, but I don't want a CO2 system. I want a lush, beautiful looking aquarium. ANYWAYS! I have seen many different types of tetras, and would like some of each in my aquarium, but I was wondering. Will different tetra species school together? Like will neon tetras school with cardinals or serpae tetras? Or will they school separately?

Also, if anyone can recommend good ground-covering plants that would look good in the foreground, as well as some high-growing plants for middle and back of the tank, I'd appreciate that :) Thanks a ton guys!

-Ryan

[rich311k]

In a ten you woul do best with one species. Different species dont school well and are most comfortable in groups of at least six.

Ground cover is tough without a good substrate and CO2.

[Brhino]

they will school separately. If they do school together, it's only because they're stressed at a lack of tankmates of their own species. For this reason, you'll want a reasonably large school of whatever species you stock.

[Pleco380]

If the same kind of tetras are swimming actively in different areas of the tank that's good. If they are all close together they could be stressed. Get 1 kind of tetra for a school. Good luck with the tank!

[CichlidTetra]

Thanks for the fast response! I am fine with just one species of tetra. Now I just have to choose which I like the most! The Neons are really nice, but there are some other cool ones. So Maybe I can do 10-12 neon tetras, and then figure out something for plants, any suggestions for plants in general? Or maybe some other non-schooling tank mates? Maybe some danios, or betas?

[Pleco380]

Get only about 6 neons. 10-12 may be too many. Bettas can be awesome community fish but also could be terrible. It depends on the betta's personality.

[CichlidTetra]

Yeah, I know that bettas can cause some serious issues. If anything I would only get one. Maybe just stick with the neons, and then get some ghost shrimp, and snails. I really love the way they look. Breathtaking fish no doubt. My real concern is what plants to buy. I want to get some that look nice, but don't want to get plants that will die without CO2, or in the conditions the tank will be in. All suggestions for plants are welcome!

[Pleco380]

I only have one plant. I got a jungle val and put it in my 80g. Then my silver dollars started eating it so I moved it to my 10 gallon. I'm new with plants and have never used CO2 for it. It's growing and has healthy green leaves. Unfortunately they are a large plant and this one will have to stay small. Sorry, but other than that I don't know much about plants.

[CichlidTetra]

Thanks Pleco, appreciate your help. I will make a visit to a local pet store, and ask some questions, see what my options are!

[Pleco380]

No problem. Glad to help.

[Lab_Rat]

In a 10g species only tank there are many species to choose from. Neons, glowlights, bloodfins, etc, are slim bodied, and if they are the only fish in the tank a school of 10 would not be unreasonable. If you're going for a deeper bodied tetra, such as skirt tetras or serpae, you'd be better off limiting yourself to 6. Different species will not school together (at least not well), I have both cards and rummys in my 29g and they form two distinct schools.

Need to know more about your lighting to be able to recommend appropriate plants.

[CichlidTetra]

The tank isn't set up just yet, but most likely, the lighting is going to be a 45 watt day-glo bulb. I use a lamp for lighting, but can get any bulbs I would need to accommodate the plants. Also, they will be exposed to a small amount of sunlight during the day, but I will keep the tank dimmer, because it is a tetra aquarium. I am going to go for a slim-body school of 10. Now I just need to research different species to decide which to buy :D Thanks for the great advice!

[Pleco380]

These are some slimbodied tetras you can choose from's pics: In order- Bloodfin, Glass Bloodfin, Neon, Cardinal, Glowlight.
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[Pleco380]

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[CichlidTetra]

WOW! The first one, and the last one you posted are amazing! I did some research on different species. I have 3 favorites. Rummy-Nose Tetras, Silver-tip Tetras, and Cardinal Tetras. The Silver-tips are AMAZING! and I think they might be my favorite. I wish I could do Silver tips, and the last one you posted Pleco.... Thatds be amazing

[Pleco380]

I used to have some glowlight tetras. They are fun to watch. Mine schooled better than my neons, bleeding hearts, and bloodfins do. Then I gave away the glowlights and now I wish I didn't.

[CichlidTetra]

They are all really cool fish. But my TWO final favorites are Black Morpho Tetras, and Silver-tip tetras. I would love to do both of them, but I know I should stick with one :( And not to mention, Black Morpho Tetras are pretty hard to come by.

[Pleco380]

I've never heard of black morpho tetras.The look cool though. Another one I forgot to add is a black neon tetra.

[Pleco380]

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[CichlidTetra]

black neons are cool! they are honestly, all cool. i think I am just going to set up the tank, and then go to the pet store, and buy the ones I like the most, ya know, because every batch of fish is different lol. Who knows, I coul end up with Rummy-noses, or silver-tips :)

[Pleco380]

Go with what you think looks best. You don't want a fish you think is ugly. Get fish that are good for the tank. Keep us posted.

[CichlidTetra]

Will do Pleco! Thanks again everyone for al of the help. I will be getting them within the next 2 weeks or so. Tomorrow I am going to the pet store to pick up an African Spiny eel for one of my tanks, and will take a look at all of the tetras :) Thanks again everyone!

[rothenb1]

Check out penguin tetras! I love them!

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[CichlidTetra]

Yeah, I saw those! Pretty neat little fishes :) I wish I could get a pair of each kind Lol, but you know, can't always have it your way... unless you're at Burger King. But I really like all of them. It's going to be a hard choice. Hopefully it'll become clearer when I see them in person :P Thanks for the picture!

[jclee]

If you wanted a slightly larger school that still fits comfortably in a 10 gallon tank, it might be worth researching some of the microrasboras species. Many of them stay under one-inch when they're fully grown. They will be a bit pricier, though, and unless you've got access to a very diverse LFS, you'll have to order them online. (I've fallen in love with teeny tiny fish, so I think it's totally worth it.)

[Flakes4Bait]

Have you ever checked out gold tetras? I saw them at a fish shop a week or two ago. They are pretty cool.
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[CichlidTetra]

Those goldies are pretty cool too! This decision is just getting harder! I will check out more on microrasboras, see what I find :D

-Ryan

[Gisela]

How about some Glolight tetras. They are a little hardier than the Neon. I have a school in my 29 gallon.