Best, Begginer, Hardy Tetra?

[rmanpf]

I want a small shoal of tetra, around 4, For my 5 gallon tank. I wouldnt mind some breeding happening but i will not go out of the way for it. I also want them to be very active and hardy? What Kind of tetra should i get?

 

[Starfishpower]

well im no expert, iv just started this hobby as of about 6 months ago with a betta, but for what its worth iv got a 5 gallon with tetras in it right now so maybe i can atleast give some observations that might be helpfull. its one of those kits you get from walmart that comes with the hood, filter, and biowheel. iv got white sand in the bottom, a "small" piece of cured bogwood which i bought from my LFS for a pretty penny ($14!!!) but i think it was worth it because i plan on having this tank set up for many years so i might as well take the time and money and do it how i want, and it has a nice clump of java moss. iv had the tetras for about a week or two, which isnt very long in the fish world but like i said atleast i can give some observations, and iv done a LOT of reading on the subject. there are 5 of them. they seem to be fine. i fed them a lot at first cause i wasnt exactly sure of the proper amount... turned out to be too much. for one thing they hadnt learned to come to the surface for the food, instead my filter would blow it down and scatter it all across the sand. theyd pick some of it up but it still made a big a mess. keep that in mind, flakes can be messy... and theyr a pain to try and clean up with a "small" gravel vacuum.... not enough power sometimes. iv tested the water and it seems to be cycled already, im assuming its the cured bogwood and java moss aiding in the biofilter process. i feed them less flakes now and only every other day so they really clean up when they do get fed. also this helps me know im not overfeeding them, you can see there stomachs get real fat during feeding time lol. i think thats all the pertenant information i can think of... oh and pH: 7.4; Nitrates: 10; Nitrites: 0; Ammonia: 0; temperature: 74-80 F. i suggest you get plants to help with the biofilter and cycling particularly if ur like me and cant stand to loose a pet. i have java fern and watersprite on order from my LFS right now. after that i should be pretty much done getting this tank set up. good luck

 

[Lateral Line]

Pretty much all of the smaller tetras are shoaling fish that should be kept in groups of at least 6 fish. In a 5 gallon, you will be pushed to find a suitable fish that won't hopelessly overstock the tank. Hyphessobrycon amandae would work, and I've seen them around a lot in the trade at the moment, they are typically called "Ember Tetra".

A 5 gallon tank is a lot more trouble then a 55 for example. It takes just a small problem to be lethal in a 5 as there is so little water to dillute the problem - things spiral out of control very quickly.

 

[rmanpf]

well im no expert, iv just started this hobby as of about 6 months ago with a betta, but for what its worth iv got a 5 gallon with tetras in it right now so maybe i can atleast give some observations that might be helpfull. its one of those kits you get from walmart that comes with the hood, filter, and biowheel. iv got white sand in the bottom, a "small" piece of cured bogwood which i bought from my LFS for a pretty penny ($14!!!) but i think it was worth it because i plan on having this tank set up for many years so i might as well take the time and money and do it how i want, and it has a nice clump of java moss. iv had the tetras for about a week or two, which isnt very long in the fish world but like i said atleast i can give some observations, and iv done a LOT of reading on the subject. there are 5 of them. they seem to be fine. i fed them a lot at first cause i wasnt exactly sure of the proper amount... turned out to be too much. for one thing they hadnt learned to come to the surface for the food, instead my filter would blow it down and scatter it all across the sand. theyd pick some of it up but it still made a big a mess. keep that in mind, flakes can be messy... and theyr a pain to try and clean up with a "small" gravel vacuum.... not enough power sometimes. iv tested the water and it seems to be cycled already, im assuming its the cured bogwood and java moss aiding in the biofilter process. i feed them less flakes now and only every other day so they really clean up when they do get fed. also this helps me know im not overfeeding them, you can see there stomachs get real fat during feeding time lol. i think thats all the pertenant information i can think of... oh and pH: 7.4; Nitrates: 10; Nitrites: 0; Ammonia: 0; temperature: 74-80 F. i suggest you get plants to help with the biofilter and cycling particularly if ur like me and cant stand to loose a pet. i have java fern and watersprite on order from my LFS right now. after that i should be pretty much done getting this tank set up. good luck

Thats really cool about the dogwood, filter food choice. But i wanted to know which kind of tetra to get. What kind do you have?

 

[Starfishpower]

oh i didnt realize that's all you were asking for, i sorta went overboard then didnt i i have neon tetras.

 

[rmanpf]

Ok thanks

 

[scouse_andy]

As previously posted, a 5 gallon really is too small for a shoal (6 or more) of tetras.

Neon Tetras are not renowned for being the hardiest fish either.

 

[rossyboy]

I do love my tetras lol

I don't know latin names, but i've got Neon Tetras, Black Widow/ Black Skirt tetras and silver tip tetras

The silver tips are beautiful!! But for that sort of size and number, i'd probably go for neons.

 

[rmanpf]

I do love my tetras lol

I don't know latin names, but i've got Neon Tetras, Black Widow/ Black Skirt tetras and silver tip tetras

The silver tips are beautiful!! But for that sort of size and number, i'd probably go for neons.

Cool Thanks for the advise.