How Many Neon Tetras???

[utahfish]

Id mix in another school of similar sized tetra. Tetras swim in shoals for safety and security and when they see another shoal of fish that are like them it signals to them the lack of predators. Just like a dither fish does for larger fish. In the wild dwarf pencil fish are often seen with neons with corydora occupying the lower level. Dwarf pencil fish also swim toward the top more than neons so all 3 levels would be filled.

 

[Retired Viking]

Depends on what @Deanasue is looking for, covering all three levels I would agree with you but if she wants flash and color I would go with a second shoal of glow light tetra.

 

[DwarfCichlidLvr]

I would say 40-50.

 

[FishGuest5123]

I'm basically on the same lines as others, sort of. If you only want neon tetras and cories, I would increase the cories to 20-25 (assuming this is a 4-foot tank). And you could easily do 70-100 neon tetras. Don't need that many, but the option is there. Also assuming floating plants. If you want other species, 20-30 neons, depending what other species. Cories are substrate fish basically, and neons tend to be mid-lower level. So you will have the upper 1/3 to 1/2 of the water empty with just these two. Hatchetfish? You have the space for a good group of the larger species, like the beautiful Platinum (Thoracocharax stellatus).

I want this tank to be strictly neons and cories. 100 neons. Wow! I ordered 10 more neons today. The ones in QT now in one tank will be ready for main tank this week.

Id mix in another school of similar sized tetra. Tetras swim in shoals for safety and security and when they see another shoal of fish that are like them it signals to them the lack of predators. Just like a dither fish does for larger fish. In the wild dwarf pencil fish are often seen with neons with corydora occupying the lower level. Dwarf pencil fish also swim toward the top more than neons so all 3 levels would be filled.

Cories shoal. I have glo lights in my community tank but just want neons in this one. Maybe later.

 

[JuiceBox52]

You said you always wanted a neon tank. You got your dream! But I dont even want to imagine how much all of those fish are cost wise

 

[Metalhead88]

I'd recommend adding a prefilter sponge to the aquaclear if you don't have one already. Neons can easily get stuck to the filter and die especially during night. The ac70 has a pretty strong intake. For small fish.

I'm in board with others. I don't think there's a definite answer, but yeah.... You can add a lot!

 

[Retired Viking]

My LFS is lucky if it had 10 in the neon tank the other day when I bought 2 of them. I hope whoever you ordered the neons from does a good job . I would hate to hear that you loss some.

 

[DwarfCichlidLvr]

If you want to order in bulk you can always buy from aquahuna. However they are out of stock at them moment. Probably because of covid.

 

[utahfish]

I want this tank to be strictly neons and cories. 100 neons. Wow! I ordered 10 more neons today. The ones in QT now in one tank will be ready for main tank this week.
Cories shoal. I have glo lights in my community tank but just want neons in this one. Maybe later.

Yes cories do shoal but they are down on the bottom though im sure their presence helps the neons feel safe as well.

 

[FishGuest5123]

My LFS is lucky if it had 10 in the neon tank the other day when I bought 2 of them. I hope whoever you ordered the neons from does a good job . I would hate to hear that you loss some.

It’s a risk you take but nothing around here right now.

 

[FishGuest5123]

You said you always wanted a neon tank. You got your dream! But I dont even want to imagine how much all of those fish are cost wise

I look at it like this...I use to go out every Saturday shopping with my daughter and sister. I’d spend money on suits and shoes for work. Now that I’m retired I don’t Wear much other than jeans and casual shirts with a pair of flip flops. So I just switched from work suits to fish.

 

[Fishmanic]

You wouldnt want to get them all at once or you risk losing your cycle.

 

[FishGuest5123]

I'd recommend adding a prefilter sponge to the aquaclear if you don't have one already. Neons can easily get stuck to the filter and die especially during night. The ac70 has a pretty strong intake. For small fish.

I'm in board with others. I don't think there's a definite answer, but yeah.... You can add a lot!

I already keep sponges on all my filter intakes but do appreciate the advice.

 

[FishGuest5123]

You wouldnt want to get them all at once or you risk losing your cycle.

I already have 17 in there plus 4 pandas. Getting ready to add 6 more tetras and 7 cories this week. Then I’ll add more the following week. I do have 15 tanks so I’ve gotten pretty good on the cycling and stocking. Just wasn’t sure how many neons to get. I really appreciate all of the help.

 

[Retired Viking]

You also have to worry about having enough aeration at night especially if you have that many fish in a planted tank. I am looking at adding some more at night to make sure there is enough oxygen in the water since I have a heavily planted tank.