Neon Tetra Question

[fish_boy2004]

Hello All! Well I was wondering how many neons would be good in a 10 gallon aquarium? I was thinking 5 or 6? Thanx!

 

[impur]

5 or 6 would be ok, anything else going in with them?

 

[fish_boy2004]

Hey! Thanks for replying! I bought three today (tank still cycling) if these three survive gonna get 3 more to go with them, making six. I also bought a single white cloud minnow (female and she is GRAVID!). Also have 1 female mickey mouse platy, all in 10 gallon. Again thanks for replying!

10 gallon
1 female mickey mouse platy (Minnie)
3 neons (Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod)
1 female white cloud minnow (Dart)

 

[Lateral Line]

Neons are very sensitive to Nitrogen pollution and frequently it is advised that they should not be added to a new tank for at least 3 - 6 months. They are one one of the worst possible fish to try and cycle with.

They should be kept in groups of around 6 or more, but that would very much overstock your tank.

White Cloud Mounain Minnows are egglayers, as such if yours is female, she may be carrying eggs, but is not gravid. These too, are a shoaling fish best kept in groups.

 

[fish_boy2004]

I feel all small now because I did not do adequate research. Very sorry for my ignorance. I will do much better next time and MUCH better research than before. Just a little update my three neons are doing great along with the white cloud minnow, all ate very good this morning.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Neons are weak as stated before. They should not be kept in small tanks because of the high nitrate content that exists in most small tanks and because, if I'm not mistaken, they suffer from hypoxia when they are not provided with enough room to swim around. however, if you don't have too many other fish and the tank's got open swimming spaces, there shouldn't be a problem.

Good luck.

 

[Lateral Line]

You should not feel small - the quality of advice offered to beginners at the point of purchase is usually guided by the need to sell fish, not what happens to them after they are sold. Sad fact of life.

It is totally understandable that newcomers to the hobby see tanks full of fish all swimming around together apparently healthy, and figure they can take the same things home today and it'll all be fine.

This really isn't your fault. You may get away with it. A lot depends how far into the cycle you were and how tough the fish you bought are, there are stronger and weaker strains, fingers crossed.