my tank

[mikemike]

my new 7 neon tetras love their new tank but they are very small and don't really school that much and other bigger tetras for a 20 gallon and they be ok with some 2 dwarf gourami and 4 cory catfish

[Byron]

Not many freshwater fish "school" in the sense of marine fish that remain in close groups as they swim. Fish species that need a group can be termed shoaling. The fish are less secure without the group, and the more the better. But few of these swim together, but they like to remain close to each other. The Rummynose tetra is one that does, and some of the rasbora species do also. Personally, I do not consider a 20g sufficient space for rummynose, as this species likes to swim distances and is better in a longer tank. But many of the rasbora species would suit your 20g.

Corys also shoal and I would get no less than five of one species. If you want two species, you could have five of each in a 20g, or maybe 3-4 of each of two species.

The dwarf gourami is a problem fish. One has to be careful with their health (the virus that afflicts many of them), plus they can be targets for nipping by many tetra, including neons.

Some other suitable tetra to go with the neons and corys could be Black Phantom Tetra, Rosy Tetra, Lemon Tetra to name three.

Byron.

[Strider199]

So what is your question exactly mikemike? Once the neons get used to the tank they will probably close ranks and swim more together. Do you have cover in the tank like plants and driftwood or is it wide open? Neons like something to swim around, under or through.

[steeler58]

+ 1 to Strider, you might also try a bigger school like 12 as they realy like big groups.

[mikemike]

I was asking if I could add one more shoal of tetras like serpae (5-6) . I am all ready going to get 2 more cory catfish and I know about the problem with dwarf gourami they where the only fish that stand out with their bright colors. It was out dwarf or flame at the pet store so I picked dwarf. Does flame have the same problems ?

[Byron]

I was asking if I could add one more shoal of tetras like serpae (5-6) . I am all ready going to get 2 more cory catfish and I know about the problem with dwarf gourami they where the only fish that stand out with their bright colors. It was out dwarf or flame at the pet store so I picked dwarf. Does flame have the same problems ?

Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques) is not a good choice here. They tend to be a bit nippy, and need a larger group of 8-12 in a 30g tank to be properly housed.

The so-called "Flame" gourami is a colour variant of the dwarf, so same possible issues. Also, you really have to be careful with gourami in smaller tanks with tetra as the tetra may decide to nip the gourami. Even otherwise peaceful fish can be tempted in small (to the fish) spaces when fish like gourami are present.

As I initially indicated, you have space for another group of a peaceful shoaling fish, and I named a few possibles. Serpae is just not one of them. The Rosy Tetra I mentioned is very similar in appearance, if you were looking for a reddish/purplish fish.

Byron.

[steeler58]

+ 1 to Byron's suggestion of Rosy Tetras, if want a colorful,active, and gentle species.

Another alternative would be the Red phantom tetra, all the color of the serpae without their bad disposition.

[mikemike]

the tetras do not mess with the gourami at all they hardly go by it. Oh and I guess I will and some black phantom but the looks like the black skirt tetras(will 5 or 6 black shirts or phantoms work) and lemon tetras love their color but they remind me of red eye tetras(will 5 or 6 red or lemon work) but I will get one of the four . Can I get the phantoms and lemon tetras from some where like petco or petsmart ?( I will get them a 2 weeks form now)

[Byron]

the tetras do not mess with the gourami at all they hardly go by it. Oh and I guess I will and some black phantom but the looks like the black skirt tetras(will 5 or 6 black shirts or phantoms work) and lemon tetras love their color but they remind me of red eye tetras(will 5 or 6 red or lemon work) but I will get one of the four . Can I get the phantoms and lemon tetras from some where like petco or petsmart ?( I will get them a 2 weeks form now)

I really do not recommend Black Skirts in this tank. For one thing, the tank is not large enough; this species is a fairly substantial tetra, and will easily reach 6cm (2.5 inches). It needs a decent group of 8 preferably. Otherwise, it may well decide to start nipping fins.

And Gourami should never be housed with species that "may" nip, because the temptation is too great.

As for the present situation, understand that this is now, not tomorrow, or next week, or next month. As fish settle into a new environment, it affects them. Their natural behaviours will likely emerge, sooner or later. Creating a risk environment is not good for the fish. Even if no physical interaction occurs, the fish are sending out and reading chemical signals; pheromones are read by the species itself, and allomones by other species. These too are stressful. It's like having a bully next to you that may not be acting it out, but you know it's there and it is stressful.

Byron.

[mikemike]

What to do then Byron ?