How’s this stocking?

[Mint]

So I’m planning a 15 gallon exclusively for glofish. Currently I’ve got about five glofish tetras and one pristella glofish, who I got as a regular glofish tetra and only realized like a year later that he was a pristella. The stocking would probably be six of each type, plus a dwarf gourami as a centerpiece if I have the space. Heavily planted. Actually a 20 gallon long, but I’m planning to divide off about five gallons for a betta. If it’s too small, I can probably convince my parents to let me keep my betta somewhere else and give them the extra five gallons. The tetras aren’t too active, but the pristella…not so much.

 

[Byron]

There are a couple of serious problems with this. First, tank space. A 15g is insufficient space for a proper group of either tetra, Pristella or Glofish. For this sized tank, you need to be looking at "nano" fish, which refers to fish that remain small. Among the tetras, Ember Tetra is one of these. However, it woould help to know the base dimensions, being length and width, as this is more important than volume and a 15g tank can be different footprints.

Second problem aside from the space issue is you cannot keep gourami with active fish like Glofish. And, I will assume this Glofish is derived from the Black Skirt/Widow Tetra, which get not only large but tend to nip fins of sedate fish like gourami.

You also should not acquire Glofish to begin with. The hobby does not support the artificial development of non-natural species from gene exchanges. The only way to stop it is not to buy them.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Watch this first before you decide on Glofish...

 

[Mint]

Alright, I can probably find a 30 gallon tank stand. Gourami was a stretch anyways.

And as for the glofish…my dad brought them for me a year ago, and I love them. They’re adorable, they come to the front of the tank for food, I’ve trained one to leap out of the water and take food off my finger…I’m not taking them back to the store.

Also, yeah, the hobby most definitely does do that. Have you ever brought neon tetras or guppies or…well, betta? They’re so imbred. We most definitely do support non-natural gene changes.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Fair enough, I didn't know you already had them...but something to be mindful of next time

 

[otterblue]

Alright, I can probably find a 30 gallon tank stand. Gourami was a stretch anyways.

And as for the glofish…my dad brought them for me a year ago, and I love them. They’re adorable, they come to the front of the tank for food, I’ve trained one to leap out of the water and take food off my finger…I’m not taking them back to the store.

Also, yeah, the hobby most definitely does do that. Have you ever brought neon tetras or guppies or…well, betta? They’re so imbred. We most definitely do support non-natural gene changes.

I'm not a fan of Glofish but I respect you sticking up for yourself and your attachment to your fish.

 

[sharkweek178]

Now I'm curious about something. Would glo fish variants school or shoal with non glo of the same species?

 

[Mint]

It would be a 20 long without the betta portion, so…basically a 29 gallon tank, but shorter. 30 inches long, 12 wide, and 12 high. I’m not sure the tetras are truly black skirts, though, since I’d say they’re more like 2 inch fish than 3. My dad said it would be fine, but he’s a really old fish keeper and all his advice is extremely old too. He usually just uses inch-per-gallon for stocking. Anyways, I might get normal ones, but I’d be worried about attack, since bright glowing fish are generally not recognized as inconspicuous and black skirts can be little jerks.

 

[Mint]

Now I'm curious about something. Would glo fish variants school or shoal with non glo of the same species?

Maybe, but fish aren’t always happy to see different-looking fish, and the glofish are insanely different. They might not even recognize them as the same species. Or pick on them. I wouldn’t want to risk it with them.

Then, you see people keeping black and regular kuhlis together, despite being totally different species, so…maybe?

 

[Mint]

Fair enough, I didn't know you already had them...but something to be mindful of next time

Yeah, they’re controversial for a reason, I agree. Honestly, in retrospect, it probably would have been a way prettier tank with black neons or something like that. But they’re really sweet, personable, individual fish, and I’m at least fairly sure they’ve recognized me as their owner. I would feel bad giving them back now. Won’t get any more for the other tanks, though, besides the pristella tetra’s new friends.