Tank mates

[humBill]

As just mentioned, I am starting a new tank. It currently has 3 smallish
Lemon Tetras.
1) How active should they be? Thus far they are not hiding but are pretty
passively slowly moving around the tank in a group. I don't know if this is
their nature or it's just because they are new and only 3 of em. They do
seem to do a lot of start-stop short swim movements, which I havent decided
if I like or not.
2) Could you give me some suggestions about what could go with them. I
know this is a small tank but I was kinda hoping to have two species in
there anyway. I know opinions and experiences vary but I thought you might
have some suggestions about some other fish that might be alright with just
3 or 4. Returning the Lemon's is not outta the question. I already have
Buenos Aires, Platys, Mollys, and Danios. I was thinking of perhaps Serpae,
Harlequins, Glass Fish and Hatchets or Cherry Barbs as possible mates. No
not all at the same time:) Neons not outta the question but I'm not sure if
it would be good or bad that my background is black, which I really like in
this tank. If you're thinking you could have _ and _ but only if you return
the lemon tetras, that's a possibility, although the wife DID pick them out.
Thanxx
Bill

[Ozdude]

"humBill" > wrote in message
m...
> As just mentioned, I am starting a new tank. It currently has 3 smallish
> Lemon Tetras.
> 1) How active should they be? Thus far they are not hiding but are
> pretty passively slowly moving around the tank in a group. I don't know
> if this is their nature or it's just because they are new and only 3 of
> em. They do seem to do a lot of start-stop short swim movements, which I
> havent decided if I like or not.

Give 'em time. They sound like they are aclimatising to their new home. All
of my tetra shoal slowly when they are scared or unsure. When they settle
(in about 3 weeks from my experience) they will have observable normal
behavior. As long as their fins aren't clamped and they aren't hanging
perpetually near the bottom or surface then there isn't much to worry about
in my experience.

Having only 3 could be a security issue for them. I would personally think
of getting at least another three.

I have 6 each, Serpae, Hockey Stick/Penguin and Black Neons atm and I'm
adding another 6 Black Diamonds in a weeks time (they look like a silver
version of the Serpae) for "symetry" - 2 lots of tall tetra (Serpae and
Black Diamond) and 2 lots of long tetra (Hockeys and Black Neons).

Mine hang low at various times in the day (near the substrate) due to the
fact they don't like a lot of light. As soon as the lights go out they hit
the top upper layer of water and "sleep/rest" there until the morning. The
Serpae do the opposite.

The Hockeys get quite "gnatty" and they are quite pushy when they settle
down. They pick on their own and the Black Neons, yet leave the Serpae alone
and both the Black Neon and Hockey will shoal together as one large mob if
they feel threatened. I think the Hockeys are randy to be honest and there
are two that are definately agressive to everything at feeding time (two
females who i believe are pregnant). They will lay their eggs in the small
hours of the day and then consume them, so it's hard to tell if they are
behaving "normally" for pregnant tetra, or they are just like this. I've
noticed, on occasion, certain of the Black Neon doing the same thing, but
they won't try it on with the Serpae or Hockeys. The Black neons are quite
timid actually, but beautiful under the right lighting.

If anything, it sounds to me like 3 more Lemons would do the trick for the
three you have. Oh, and also ideally your pH should be on the lower side of
neutral (6.4-ish optimally) and as Tetras are a black water fish, they
prefer a surface planting, dark substrate and background and a bit of a
current in the water. You could add black water extract to make them feel
really at home, but this might also bring on a breeding spurt, particularly
if you feed them frozen or live foods regularly.

They are great little fish, but they do need to feel secure to act
"properly".

> 2) Could you give me some suggestions about what could go with them. I
> know this is a small tank but I was kinda hoping to have two species in
> there anyway. I know opinions and experiences vary but I thought you
> might have some suggestions about some other fish that might be alright
> with just 3 or 4.

I have put Honey Gouramis with my Tetra, but they are the Dwarf Gourami,
which aren't as aggressive as the larger ones or Paradise Fish - not that
the Paradise Fish could catch them anyway ;)

The next inhabitants will be two Siamese Algae Eaters (siamensis), the 6
Diamond Tetra and 2 Boesmani Rainbows.

After that we'll see how it goes, but if anything I would suggest any of the
Danios of similar size (watch Serpae and Blacks with long finned varieties
though), Platys, Mollies, Harlequin Rasbora (at least 8 of these) and
possibly a school of any Barb. Sharks would be okay but be aware they can
grow to monstrous sizes and may eventually try to eat the tetra.

Most loaches will be okay as they can't catch the Tetras and there won't be
a lot of competition for the bottom of the tank from the little mid to top
dwellers.

> Returning the Lemon's is not outta the question. I already have Buenos
> Aires, Platys, Mollys, and Danios. I was thinking of perhaps Serpae,
> Harlequins, Glass Fish and Hatchets or Cherry Barbs as possible mates.

No problems there as far as I can see.
> No not all at the same time:) Neons not outta the question but I'm not
> sure if it would be good or bad that my background is black, which I
> really like in this tank. If you're thinking you could have _ and _ but
> only if you return the lemon tetras, that's a possibility, although the
> wife DID pick them out.

No I think get 3 more lemons, a half dozen Black Neons (different species to
the regular neon and more robust IMO), some barbs and may be some rainbows
and you'll have a happening thing.

Regards,

Oz

--
My Aquatic web Blog is at http://members.optusnet.com.au/ivan.smith

[Sarah Navarro]

I have lemon tetras in my 55 gallon tank. They usually do swim together. I
have mine in there with angel fish, flame tetras, cherry barbs, a chinese
algae eater, dwarf gouramis, and a tiny pleco. Everyone has been getting
along just fine for several months now. P.S. If you take back the wifes
fish, you just might be in big trouble. lol

Sarah



> 2) Could you give me some suggestions about what could go with them. I
> know this is a small tank but I was kinda hoping to have two species in
> there anyway. I know opinions and experiences vary but I thought you
> might have some suggestions about some other fish that might be alright
> with just 3 or 4. Returning the Lemon's is not outta the question. I
> already have Buenos Aires, Platys, Mollys, and Danios. I was thinking of
> perhaps Serpae, Harlequins, Glass Fish and Hatchets or Cherry Barbs as
> possible mates. No not all at the same time:) Neons not outta the
> question but I'm not sure if it would be good or bad that my background is
> black, which I really like in this tank. If you're thinking you could
> have _ and _ but only if you return the lemon tetras, that's a
> possibility, although the wife DID pick them out.
> Thanxx
> Bill

[humBill]

"Sarah Navarro" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>I have lemon tetras in my 55 gallon tank. They usually do swim together.
>I have mine in there with angel fish, flame tetras, cherry barbs, a chinese
>algae eater, dwarf gouramis, and a tiny pleco. Everyone has been getting
>along just fine for several months now. P.S. If you take back the wifes
>fish, you just might be in big trouble. lol
>
> Sarah
>
Oh yeah, I already recognized that as rule #1 in tank mate selection. I
just thought if they later proved to be uninteresting pets I could say "I
know honey, but the group said ...... ". It sounds like they will be fine.
Bill

[humBill]

"Ozdude" > wrote in message
...
>
> "humBill" > wrote in message
> m...
>> As just mentioned, I am starting a new tank. It currently has 3 smallish
>> Lemon Tetras.
>> 1) How active should they be? Thus far they are not hiding but are
>> pretty passively slowly moving around the tank in a group. I don't know
>> if this is their nature or it's just because they are new and only 3 of
>> em. They do seem to do a lot of start-stop short swim movements, which I
>> havent decided if I like or not.
>
> Give 'em time. They sound like they are aclimatising to their new home.
> All of my tetra shoal slowly when they are scared or unsure. When they
> settle (in about 3 weeks from my experience) they will have observable
> normal behavior. As long as their fins aren't clamped and they aren't
> hanging perpetually near the bottom or surface then there isn't much to
> worry about in my experience.
>
> Having only 3 could be a security issue for them. I would personally think
> of getting at least another three.
>
> I have 6 each, Serpae, Hockey Stick/Penguin and Black Neons atm and I'm
> adding another 6 Black Diamonds in a weeks time (they look like a silver
> version of the Serpae) for "symetry" - 2 lots of tall tetra (Serpae and
> Black Diamond) and 2 lots of long tetra (Hockeys and Black Neons).
>
> Mine hang low at various times in the day (near the substrate) due to the
> fact they don't like a lot of light. As soon as the lights go out they hit
> the top upper layer of water and "sleep/rest" there until the morning. The
> Serpae do the opposite.
>
> The Hockeys get quite "gnatty" and they are quite pushy when they settle
> down. They pick on their own and the Black Neons, yet leave the Serpae
> alone and both the Black Neon and Hockey will shoal together as one large
> mob if they feel threatened. I think the Hockeys are randy to be honest
> and there are two that are definately agressive to everything at feeding
> time (two females who i believe are pregnant). They will lay their eggs in
> the small hours of the day and then consume them, so it's hard to tell if
> they are behaving "normally" for pregnant tetra, or they are just like
> this. I've noticed, on occasion, certain of the Black Neon doing the same
> thing, but they won't try it on with the Serpae or Hockeys. The Black
> neons are quite timid actually, but beautiful under the right lighting.
>
> If anything, it sounds to me like 3 more Lemons would do the trick for the
> three you have. Oh, and also ideally your pH should be on the lower side
> of neutral (6.4-ish optimally) and as Tetras are a black water fish, they
> prefer a surface planting, dark substrate and background and a bit of a
> current in the water. You could add black water extract to make them feel
> really at home, but this might also bring on a breeding spurt,
> particularly if you feed them frozen or live foods regularly.
>
> They are great little fish, but they do need to feel secure to act
> "properly".
>
>> 2) Could you give me some suggestions about what could go with them. I
>> know this is a small tank but I was kinda hoping to have two species in
>> there anyway. I know opinions and experiences vary but I thought you
>> might have some suggestions about some other fish that might be alright
>> with just 3 or 4.
>
> I have put Honey Gouramis with my Tetra, but they are the Dwarf Gourami,
> which aren't as aggressive as the larger ones or Paradise Fish - not that
> the Paradise Fish could catch them anyway ;)
>
> The next inhabitants will be two Siamese Algae Eaters (siamensis), the 6
> Diamond Tetra and 2 Boesmani Rainbows.
>
> After that we'll see how it goes, but if anything I would suggest any of
> the Danios of similar size (watch Serpae and Blacks with long finned
> varieties though), Platys, Mollies, Harlequin Rasbora (at least 8 of
> these) and possibly a school of any Barb. Sharks would be okay but be
> aware they can grow to monstrous sizes and may eventually try to eat the
> tetra.
>
> Most loaches will be okay as they can't catch the Tetras and there won't
> be a lot of competition for the bottom of the tank from the little mid to
> top dwellers.
>
>> Returning the Lemon's is not outta the question. I already have Buenos
>> Aires, Platys, Mollys, and Danios. I was thinking of perhaps Serpae,
>> Harlequins, Glass Fish and Hatchets or Cherry Barbs as possible mates.
>
> No problems there as far as I can see.
>> No not all at the same time:) Neons not outta the question but I'm not
>> sure if it would be good or bad that my background is black, which I
>> really like in this tank. If you're thinking you could have _ and _ but
>> only if you return the lemon tetras, that's a possibility, although the
>> wife DID pick them out.
>
> No I think get 3 more lemons, a half dozen Black Neons (different species
> to the regular neon and more robust IMO), some barbs and may be some
> rainbows and you'll have a happening thing.
>
> Regards,
>
> Oz
>
Thanxx for taking the time to give me such an extensive answer. It is so
difficult to try to research this info online. It may list A as compatible
with B and C, but come to find out B and C dont get along. Or the
combination of the 3 doesnt work. Then of course there's the info. I
really like the looks of Rosey Barbs and found them mentioned several places
as good community fish. But I also found them listed on several forums as
very aggresive to fish. Anyways, they get too big for my small tanks. But
I digress (as usual).

I did not repeat my post from just above this one and unintentionally did
not repeat, perhaps the most important fact. This tank is just 15 gals.
Could I get away with 6 lemons and 6 black neons with good pet keeping
practices. I Really like the sound of that. I currently only have the mini
Aqua Clear in here, but I can eventually move a Penguin 170 if the flow is
not too strong. Don't remember if flow rate on the 170 can be adjusted by
moving the intake tube.

I really like the looks of this little tank. I just kinda stumbled on it
with misc freebies and left overs, but the black background and quite
subdued lighting of the hood light are very tranquill. According to your
suggestion the lighting is fine I think. I could look into trying Black
water but don't really want to mess much with the pH. I think I'm doing a
pretty good job, but with only 7 months experience I don't feel comfortable
with driving down the pH. It normally runs around 7.4. Too high for these
fish?
Thanxx again!
Bill

[Elaine T]

humBill wrote:
<snip>
> I really like the looks of this little tank. I just kinda stumbled on it
> with misc freebies and left overs, but the black background and quite
> subdued lighting of the hood light are very tranquill. According to your
> suggestion the lighting is fine I think. I could look into trying Black
> water but don't really want to mess much with the pH. I think I'm doing a
> pretty good job, but with only 7 months experience I don't feel comfortable
> with driving down the pH. It normally runs around 7.4. Too high for these
> fish?
> Thanxx again!
> Bill
>
>
ph 7.4 is fine for tetras and the other fish you have mentioned. It is
better to not mess with your tapwater and maintain a stable pH then to
try and drop the pH below 7. Chances are most of your fish were raised
in fish farms in municipal water at near neutral pH anyway.

I find that my fish all behave more naturally with a lot of cover. It
seems like the more plants I add (real or fake), the more time the fish
spend swimming around comfortably in open water. I think they like to
know if something goes wrong, there's a spot near to hide.

--
__ Elaine T __
><__'> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><

[Ozdude]

"humBill" > wrote in message
om...
> I did not repeat my post from just above this one and unintentionally did
> not repeat, perhaps the most important fact. This tank is just 15 gals.
> Could I get away with 6 lemons and 6 black neons with good pet keeping
> practices. I Really like the sound of that. I currently only have the
> mini Aqua Clear in here, but I can eventually move a Penguin 170 if the
> flow is not too strong. Don't remember if flow rate on the 170 can be
> adjusted by moving the intake tube.

Yep, but don't add too much more as your near the maxium with 12. Just for
the record I had 18 Tetras, a sucker and 2 Paradise Fish in a 10 Gal tank,
to start with. It was a loy of maintinence, I can tell you and I never was
sure if the fish were happy or not. I do know there were quite a few spats
over territory.
>
> I really like the looks of this little tank. I just kinda stumbled on it
> with misc freebies and left overs, but the black background and quite
> subdued lighting of the hood light are very tranquill. According to your
> suggestion the lighting is fine I think. I could look into trying Black
> water but don't really want to mess much with the pH. I think I'm doing a
> pretty good job, but with only 7 months experience I don't feel
> comfortable with driving down the pH. It normally runs around 7.4. Too
> high for these fish?

Most tank fish are tank raised. Unless the LFS says they were caught in the
wild, or they demand soft water, then you'll be okay.

My pH is about 7.2 atm, but the old tank had a pH of 6.4 and I still have
all the tetras and they are even randy as hell, so pH isn't a major factor
in keeping these critters ;)

Oz

--
My Aquatic web Blog is at http://members.optusnet.com.au/ivan.smith