"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