Mid to upper level dwellers tank mates for serpae tetra.

[Mspringer]

Currently have a 20 gallon high tank with...

6 serpae tetra
3 Cory cats

Went from an initial 3 to 6 serpaes yesterday. I think one of them is on the bashful side because it runs and hides frequently...the others follow...

I am not ready to add any more just yet but looking for ideas for the best tank mates for these. Preferably something that is mid to top dwelling and that will possibly keep the serpaes active. I was hoping for either another small school or some sort of centerpiece type fish that is a good contrast or compliment to the serpaes.

Ideas I have thus far...

Harlequin rasboras
Lemon tetra
Black skirt tetra
Black neon tetras
Blood fin tetras
Zebra danios
Glofish danios(my 4 and 6 year olds love the look of the glowfish)

I've also considered just making the school of serpae larger but i was hoping to get something that stayed out front and active and added some dynamic.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

[Rocksor]

Corys do much better in a large group of 8+. You will see a different and more active behavior. The same goes for serpaes, where a larger group like 12+ will get a more dynamic, active and confident group.

[Mspringer]

Corys do much better in a large group of 8+. You will see a different and more active behavior. The same goes for serpaes, where a larger group like 12+ will get a more dynamic, active and confident group.

With that many serpae and no others species will the serpae still stay as a tight group or will they get comfortable and scatter a bit more? I really like how they look when they are together as a tight group, wish they would get out front a bit more though.

[waylon101]

Any danios would do great!

[RiversGirl]

It is my opinion that the zebra danios at least would require a tank with a longer swim span/length than the tank that the OP has.

[BluewaterBoof]

With that many serpae and no others species will the serpae still stay as a tight group or will they get comfortable and scatter a bit more? I really like how they look when they are together as a tight group, wish they would get out front a bit more though.

In my experience, all of the fish I've kept eventually spread out once they get comfortable. Even my rummynose tetras, which many claim to be one of the better schooling species, gradually loosened up and were all over their tank within a week or two.


That being said, I agree with @RiversGirl. A 20high is only marginally larger in length and width than a basic 10g tank. I do not suggest stocking the tank much more than it already is. A lot of fish like to swim laterally, not vertically. It's going to get crowded in there very quickly. Personally, I would just boost the numbers of the cories and serpaes, as Rocksor suggested.

As for your list, the only one that will really make an effort to stay in the upper level of your tank is the harlequin. I've kept them in multiple community tanks and they almost always remain in the top 6" of the tanks. Hatchets are also some good picks for surface-dwellers, although you will need to have a good lid to keep potential jumpers from trying to carpet surf.

[steeler58]

I would just up the Serpae school as suggested, I would never trust them with similar species no matter the size of the school, IME they always single out the weak and slow moving fish and harass them to death, that being said; other people have kept them with no problems.

Just my two cents ;-)

[Mspringer]

IMG_7129.PNG

In my experience, all of the fish I've kept eventually spread out once they get comfortable. Even my rummynose tetras, which many claim to be one of the better schooling species, gradually loosened up and were all over their tank within a week or two.


That being said, I agree with @RiversGirl. A 20high is only marginally larger in length and width than a basic 10g tank. I do not suggest stocking the tank much more than it already is. A lot of fish like to swim laterally, not vertically. It's going to get crowded in there very quickly. Personally, I would just boost the numbers of the cories and serpaes, as Rocksor suggested.

As for your list, the only one that will really make an effort to stay in the upper level of your tank is the harlequin. I've kept them in multiple community tanks and they almost always remain in the top 6" of the tanks. Hatchets are also some good picks for surface-dwellers, although you will need to have a good lid to keep potential jumpers from trying to carpet surf.

Based on aquavisor with 6 serpae tetra 4 albino corys and 6 danios my aquarium stocking would be at 98%. With harlequin rasboras instead of danios it would be at 90%. Thoughts?

[Rocksor]

stick to one school of swimmers

[BluewaterBoof]

No one likes hearing this, but if you want lots of fish or multiple species you need a big tank, or more than one.

As luck would have it, Petco is having one of their big sales right now. You can pick up a nice 20long for only $20, or you can get a sweet 40breeder for only $50.