Neon tetras not surviving in my tank! Other suggestions?

[SNicole]

pH= 7.9 or 8.0
GH= 7.6 according to the water company, but around 9 when I tested it myself
Alkalinity= 100 mgl

Ammonia zero, nitrite zero, nitrate below 40.

Newer tank, but cycled with TSS. 36 gallon bowfront.

7 harlequin rasboras thriving in the tank, 1 hillstream loach.

I added ten neon tetras a week and a half ago and now I'm down to like 4 that are alive.

What's going on? What other types of tetras would survive in my tank if not those ones, if any?

I also want to know if you have any suggestions for other suitable community tank mates. Thanks!

 

[julielynn47]

It has been my experience over the years that neon tetras are hit and miss. Sometimes they do good and sometimes you just get fish that are not going to make it, no matter what you do.

 

[LyraGuppi]

It could also be due to your alkaline water, since neons are a soft, acidic water fish. Asian rummynose tetras (Sawbwa replendens) and cherry barbs are two small species that I know of that can tolerate alkaline water. Other members on here likely know of more.

 

[cowgirluntamed]

I've kept glowlight tetras and my water is similar to yours, but a bit harder actually. Lol. Byron helped me pick a few good fish that will do good in our kind of water and one of those is the glowlight tetra. They are my favorite fish! I plan on doing my 55 with a big school of those and the harlequin rasboras. Lol.

Also is the pristella tetras. Those will be a small group in my 20 gallon along with peppered cories.

I'm sure there were others suggested but these were pretty hardy when it came to harder water. Hope this helps!

 

[StevenF]

The first fish I ever had were neon tetras and the water parameters were probably very close to what you have. Alkalinity doesn't strike me as an issue. I would look at other things.

• How frequent are your water changes and how much water do you typically change?
• How often do you have to add water due to evaporation?
• Are you using a water conditioner? How much do you add verses the manufacture recommendation?
• Are you using a plant fertilizer and if so how much and what is the manufactures recommendation.?
• Any other products ,medicines you add to your water?

 

[SNicole]

I do a 50% water change every week, week and half.
I don't add water due to evaporation as I do water changes enough that it hasn't been an issue.
I always use seachem prime as a conditioner. I use the manufacturer recommended amount.
I don't have any live plants in my aquarium so I don't use fertilizer of any kind.
Other than the conditioner, I use melafix and tetra safe start for bacteria.

Not sure if this is why, but my rasboras are just thriving and my tetras are dying. Down to 1 or 2 out of ten.