Best Tetra

[dreworz5]

Which is the hardiest?? I love the neon teras but I now they are not very hardy at all. I like almost all teras I have seen, but which is the strongest??? Whats there water preferences??

Thank you!!

 

[Doggfather]

I would suggest having a read through articles in the Fish Index in order to discover the ideal parameters for each different tetra that catches your eye since there are so many available!

To answer your other question, i don't believe there is one 'hardiest' tetra. As long as your tank has already matured, the water parameters of your tank are the same as those required by the fish of your choosing, the parameters don't constantly fluctuate (causing stress on the fish) and you carry out regular maintenance, you should have no problem keeping any of the commonly available fish.

Also, choose tank mates with care if you want your tetras to thrive lots of them end up being expensive snacks for other, larger, fish since a lot of owners don't do their homework before they go to the lfs

 

[kevin_kay]

Well dude I have a 100 Gallon tank dedicated to my favorite fish tetras, 9 different types in this tank. I have also kept or am keeping 3 other types. From my experience, most tetras are pretty much similar when it comes to being a hardy fish. Truely indeed, good researching, neons are one of the wimpier types, had to buy quite a few to get a thriving schoal going. Websites will be websites so you'll get a lot of different and varied answers about which ones are the hardiest etc.... My recommendations are based soley on what I've experienced first hand with tetras, so some of my advice may or may not contradict what other websites and or people. NOTE: all fish are different and have been delt with under very different circumstances and conditions. Anyhow here goes:

-My weaker types of tetras have been: neons, penguins, buenos-aires, stay away from DYED tetras(some have really been knocked out by the process of being physically dyed by people ex: red,blue,fruitloop,pink

-My longest lived tetras (hardier) are the: black phantoms, black skirts, blood-fins and sarpaes(I don't have these ones anymore).

-Other generally hardy tetras I have: red-eye, congo, columbian, black neons,

***My prettiest tetras are the: Columbian tetras or the Neons
***Most nippy and destructive to a peacefull community: Sarpae or Buenos Aires
***Most peacefull has to be: Black Phantoms or the Black neons.
***Needs the most space: Congos or Buenos Aires
***Meeds less space: Black skirts or neons
***Most social amongst its and likely to schoal: bloodfins or neons (if tank is big enough)
***Best bang for your hard earned cash: Black phantoms or Black Skirt
***Most expensive: Congo (In canada at least)

Most tetras (for many reasons) chase each other around, don't worry, they usually keep to their own and the nipping doesn't even harm their finnage accept for the sarpaes sometimes.

If you want to mix them like I used to always get at least a bare minimum of 4 of each type. Some sites say 3 as a min many say 6 as a min. I have been fine with 4 as a min, but more is better of course lol.

************** Black Phantoms ************* My favorites! Just look at the photos of all the tetras and chose the fishes you really want, otherwise you won't be fully satisfied. I did the exact same thing you did, followed the advice of the websites for the hardiest and of others. Ended up buying bloodfins because I didn't want to buy fish and have it die early. In the end I later ended buying more fish, specifically, the ones I liked since the hardy ones were not my first ideal choice. I say if you like neons, get them but expect to loose some. In the end it is better to have a fish you really want versus buying ones based on the fact that they hardier and have a better chance of living longer. Good luck with your choice and don't worry it is always hard chosing a fish becuase you don't want to make a mistake, which is good on your part.

 

[-Deano-]

I Personally Think The Black Widow Tetras Are The Hardiest. They Bicker Among Themselves But Are No Problem To Other Tankmates. So I Recommend Them, But Good Luck Finding Nice Fish!

 

[dreworz5]

i do like the black neons.

i migth get some of them.

thanks for the advice guys.

btw way how about the X-Ray tetras i like them to but have not been able to find a lot of info on them.

 

[ac106]

I am far from an expert BUT

I cycled my first tank with Red Eyes.

I had no idea what a "fishless cycle" was, in fact i really didnt know what a "cycle" really waw.

I abused those poor fish in horrible, ammonia and nitrite filled tanks that turned white from overfeeding and green with algae, killing everything in there...

That was 6 months ago

And the Red Eyes are still going strong, growing, thriving, and appear as happy as can be.


Maybe I got mutant tetra with an "immortal" gene turned on by accident.

Or maybe they are just really hardy fish.