Maxium no. Of Blackskirts

**eltylT** · 08-11-2012, 04:03 AM

Hey

all. Just curious about how many(MAX) Blackskirt Tetras I could safely and comfortably keep in a 55 gallon tank . Also what kind of low light plant would be best for them to make them feel at home? Do they need caves and what type substrate do they prefer?

All advice and suggestions will be appreciated . Thanks for your time and input .

**homemadepopcorn** · 08-11-2012, 04:22 AM

I think you could probably keep 25 or 30 and then some bottom dwellers provided that you have good filtration and an already cycled tank.

They'll need plenty of plant cover and low light plants are usually anubias, java fern, java moss...

They are from the amazon river so substrate could be sand, dirt... nothing too gravely although I'm sure it wouldnt be a problem.

**Lady Hobbs** · 08-11-2012, 05:22 AM

I have 27 with one angel and some cherry barbs in my 55.

**eltylT** · 08-11-2012, 02:22 PM

Thanks LH and HMPopcorn . the tank is not cycled yet but it is in the 1st stages . I finally got off my butt and got it started about a week ago Sunday . I'm going to do this one fishless so I know it will be awhile before I can add any fish. Going to look today for the plants you suggested . Besides Angels what are some other options that I could go with depending on the final parameters or should I wait for cycling finishes to consider roommates? Thanks again for your time . Eagerly awaiting more replies.

**Lady Hobbs** · 08-11-2012, 06:40 PM

I like tetra's myself. Always moving about, always happy to eat. I am getting to where I can't stand fish that want to stay hidden all the time. What's the point in having them. I can't stand livebearers, danio's or gourami's, either. Columbian tetra's are cool, too, with red fins. Rummnynose are neat little fish. Rainbowfish are neat but too big really for a 55 gallon when in schools as they should be.

Cherry barbs are neat little fish but kind of the hidey type so I may end up changing my mind on them before long, too. Harlequin rasbora are nice and always out and about. Silver Dollars are cool but they eat plants so they'd be out for you. Dwarf cichlids would work.

Gez, what do you like other than black skirts?

**eltylT** · 08-12-2012, 01:32 AM

WOW LH I had not thought about the Dwarf Cichlids. Do you really think they would get along with the BlackSkirts ? How many of each would you reccomend ? I'm sort of on the fence between the RummyNose and the Harliquen Rasboros or would they do good with the BS and the Dwraves?Thank you can't wait to hear from you again.