Pristella tetras

**Taurus** · 02-05-2013, 01:07 PM

Pristella tetra ( xray tetra ) Pristella maxillaris are hardy and undemanding fish.

http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/p...istella-tetra/

I keep the variety profiled at the above link. I'm not sure if this is the wild type, but it's the type that's readily available to me and what I keep. I've seen the golden pristella color morphs and they don't appeal to me as much as the xray type, but that's just me. The goldens certainly have their place in the hobby. The OP certainly has enough room in the 75 gallon tank for a shoal of 15 and I'll wager that they make an impressive display.

**gronlaura** · 02-05-2013, 06:02 PM

steeler1 & Taurus -

Didn't consider 15 tetras - I was going to stop at 10. I will be adding 2 more neon dwarf rainbows - I don't want to have too many fish (don't like that overcrowded look and don't want to stress the fish), but a large school of 15 tetras would look good. Wouldn't be able to add any peppered cories down the road. The pristellas pinkish gold color looks really good against the green of my plants. Was considering cherry barbs for the reddish color, but after seeing the tetras for the first time, I decided on them instead. Love their shape and finnage.

Also, these 3 species (neon dwarf rainbows, scissortail rasboras & the pristella tetras) get along very well. The rainbows and tetras school together when gliding across the tank in the current. I love watching them.

I think I'll see how the 10 look and go from there. Still thinking about cories down the road...........

**steeler1** · 02-06-2013, 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by Taurus

Pristella tetra ( xray tetra ) Pristella maxillaris are hardy and undemanding fish.

http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/p...istella-tetra/

I keep the variety profiled at the above link. I'm not sure if this is the wild type, but it's the type that's readily available to me and what I keep. I've seen the golden pristella color morphs and they don't appeal to me as much as the xray type, but that's just me. The goldens certainly have their place in the hobby. The OP certainly has enough room in the 75 gallon tank for a shoal of 15 and I'll wager that they make an impressive display.

Yeah Taurus thats the original form. Here's a short video I found showing them at their "snappy best":

**Taurus** · 02-06-2013, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by gronlaura

I think I'll see how the 10 look and go from there. Still thinking about cories down the road...........

Sounds like a good plan. I keep Pristella tetras, Columbian Tetras and Cherry Barbs all together in a 30 gallon tank and they all get along great. They look great together as well. LOL..talk about an active tank. All are very aggressive feeders.

steeler, yeah I thought that was the orginal form, but I wasn't sure. The longer I'm in this hobby, the more I realize how much I enjoy so-called original color form. Many are so attractive to start with, I have a hard time understanding why breeders even attempt color morphs. With that said, I do understand why the color morphs do appeal to others. Dwarf Gourami and Mikrogeophagus ramirezi are good examples. Why mess with something that's pretty naturally attractive to begin with?

But I digress.....

**steeler1** · 02-06-2013, 07:39 PM

I've got to agree with you Taurus, whats the use of having an albino Neon or Cardinal tetra when they are one of the most colorful of freshwater fish?

That being said this "golden" form of Pristella does have alot appeal.

**fishmommie** · 02-06-2013, 08:03 PM

regarding feeding: Something else you may want to try is pinching your flake food between your fingers then dipping your fingers below the water line and releasing the flakes about an inch below the surface. the flakes will immediately start to sink. Your tetras should have no trouble getting to them. Makes for a lot of hand washing LOL but it works

also + to both taurus and steeler regarding upping the school of pristellas. sounds like a pretty tank.

**gronlaura** · 02-06-2013, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by fishmommie

regarding feeding: Something else you may want to try is pinching your flake food between your fingers then dipping your fingers below the water line and releasing the flakes about an inch below the surface. the flakes will immediately start to sink. Your tetras should have no trouble getting to them. Makes for a lot of hand washing LOL but it works

also + to both taurus and steeler regarding upping the school of pristellas. sounds like a pretty tank.

Thanks, fishmommie, I will give this a try. I am feeding a combination of the flakes (Omega One color flakes) and the NLS small pellets - the flakes on one side to draw the top feeders and the pellets soaked in tank water on the other side for the tetras. Will be getting the remaining 6 tetras on Sunday and I hope they will all be more eager at feeding time. I have 1 of the 4 now who is very shy at feeding time. You don't think of fish having individual personalities, but I'm learning that they do have a "pecking order", just like any other animal!

**gronlaura** · 02-13-2013, 06:25 PM

Got 7 tetras last Sunday to complete the school at 11. What a difference it made! They are all over the place and looking fabulous. Some are coming to the top to eat, most are mid-tank. I love them!