"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