Question about Neon Tetras

[ToWnPrEp]

Heya! I'm very new to these forums and extremely new when it comes to fish. In a couple of days I'm going to get some fish (I'm waiting for my tank to settle) and I'm curious if it's ok to keep Neon Tetras if you only have 2 or 3? Will they live? I've heard you have to keep at least 5 or 6 to live....

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Neons can be tempermental and difficult to keep. I would not keep them in a group of less then six personally, and there are better fish for a beginner, IMO.

 

[Dragonslair]

I would agree with TCA. If you are new to fishkeeping, I would read the pinned topics in this section first and then go for the more hardier types of fish. Neons are far too delicate a fish for the novice fishkeeper.

 

[ToWnPrEp]

So what would be a good kind of fish to keep for a beginner?

 

[tmlhaus]

What else will you have in the tank? Neons are not the easiest to keep. Cardinals are just a tad bigger and just as pretty. But whatever you choose, get several, not just a few. With fish that small, only a few look lost, you need quite a few to look great schooling together in a tank.

 

[ToWnPrEp]

It's a small tank, maybe three gallons. I don't want a big one because I don't have space for it. I just want a small tank with a few fish. What kind of fish would you recommend?

 

[Sid]

What about a betta? There are very pretty and you'll have
a wide variety of colors to choose from, then you could add
a dwarf frog, snails or shrimp to the tank too!

You may also be able to keep a couple of guppies.

 

[ToWnPrEp]

A dwarf frog? That'd be kinda cool. Although I have no idea how I'd take care of it or where I would get one. (although I imagine the local pet store)

Although I'd kinda like more than one fish if possible. Maybe two or three.

 

[G_Sharky]

I would try them anyways...but get al least 6 or more as they are a schooling fish plus it looks a lot nicer when they are swimming in groups rather than 2 or 3. As far a being a novice, as long as you water parameters are fine and your up to the maintenance then you should be fine...I'm only been keepin fish for almost 5 months now and I jump into getting Discus....Of course you have to do your homework and put up with all the maintenance...for neons it should be easy, well I have neons and DIscus in my tank and both are doing really well, this is with a 30% water change every other day....lol.. My point is that some species requires different attention and care and it's up to you to choose and make sure you commit to it or else you'll be having a lot of dead fishes floating up your tank....And your not going to be happy... Good Luck....

 

[ToWnPrEp]

How do you think 6 neon's would do in a 2-3 gallon tank? (Mine is three but a friend of mine is getting one and she wants a 2 gallon)

Btw, thank you to everyone who has helped me out so far, it's been very informative!

 

[Sasha]

The basic rule about stocking a tank is 1 inch of fish for every gallon. Six neon tetras would be too many for a 2-3 gallon. I would recommend getting a couple guppies. They have very beautiful colors and every one is unique with their own personality. I myself have tons of guppies (too many to name at the moment but look at my signature) because I just love their body patterns and bright colors. The best fish suited for a small tank would be a betta, since they can live happily in a small place and they don't grow large. Dwarf frogs are great and I have two of them in my tank. They are really esay to take care of and fun to watch.

 

[modernhamlet]

3 gallons is extremely limiting. The only combination involving multiple fish that comes to mind would be:

1 betta
2 dwarf corys

What kind of filtration do you have?
Do you have a heater?

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Forget neons, they will not survive in an unheated, unfiltered 3 gallon bow. Betta is the only fish I would subject to these cramped conditions, and maybe, maybe a couple of small cories.

 

[ToWnPrEp]

No, it is heated and filtered and has a light, lid and everything.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

No, it is heated and filtered and has a light, lid and everything.

AH, that's better. I still wouldn't though...