What fish is this?

[CRS]

This partly depends upon the tank size, which is not mentioned in this thread. What are the dimensions (length and width needed here) and volume?

Aside from that though, I would expect the guppies to be targets of the "Serpae" tetras regardless.

The tank is 5ft wide, 520L, i can't remember the height and depth.

I have 50-55 plants there's a lot of hiding places, the fry have been able to hide.

 

[Byron]

The tank is 5ft wide, 520L, i can't remember the height and depth.

I have 50-55 plants there's a lot of hiding places, the fry have been able to hide.

That being the case, you could have a group of 15-20 of the Serpae, but remember they will still fin nip any sedate fish so you are limiting tankmate options. Alternatively, return the three Serpae and get a group of 15-20 Red Phantom, they are peaceful.

 

[CRS]

That being the case, you could have a group of 15-20 of the Serpae, but remember they will still fin nip any sedate fish so you are limiting tankmate options. Alternatively, return the three Serpae and get a group of 15-20 Red Phantom, they are peaceful.

Is there really any benefit of additional Serpae? I've noticed the Serpae have a very unusual twitchy movement.

 

[Colin_T]

get rid of the serpaes and get something nicer

 

[Essjay]

The only benefit of more serpaes is protection of the other fish, in the hope that a lot of serpaes will keep their behaviour between themselves.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Return the serpae...heed the advice already given...IMO, these fish should be in a species-only tank, with large numbers

 

[Byron]

Is there really any benefit of additional Serpae? I've noticed the Serpae have a very unusual twitchy movement.

This question needs answering so you understand the extreme importance of having a decent-sized group when it comes to a shoaling/schooling species. This applies to all such fish, which includes all the tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, barbs, danios, loaches and many catfish (like cories).

These fish live in large groups. This provides safety, but it also (depending upon the species) may have benefits relating to feeding. It may be a social issue...Corydoras for example are highly social fish, they literally chum around together to be "happy" as we would consider it. Some species develop strong hierarchies within a group...botine loaches come to mind. In all of these species, this "expectation" for a group around them is part of the genetic makeup of the species; it is not learned, it is an inherent need. If this is not met, it causes problems, sometimes deadly, for the fish.

Studies have now proven that shoaling fish become more aggressive when they are not in a group. Fish that are normally peaceful, say neon tetras, will show clear signs of aggression. Fish that are naturally somewhat aggressive, like Serpae Tetra and Tiger Barbs, become very aggressive. This is solely because of the numbers. There are other signs too. Fish are more "normally active" when feeding for example, if they have a good-sized group of their own.

Fish that are not within a good-sized group will be stressed. At the very least this weakens the fish. And stress is the direct reason for about 980% of all disease in aquarium fish.

Reearch the species to understand their needs, then be prepared to provide for those needs. This is the way to success with healthy fish.

 

[CRS]

This question needs answering so you understand the extreme importance of having a decent-sized group when it comes to a shoaling/schooling species. This applies to all such fish, which includes all the tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, barbs, danios, loaches and many catfish (like cories).

These fish live in large groups. This provides safety, but it also (depending upon the species) may have benefits relating to feeding. It may be a social issue...Corydoras for example are highly social fish, they literally chum around together to be "happy" as we would consider it. Some species develop strong hierarchies within a group...botine loaches come to mind. In all of these species, this "expectation" for a group around them is part of the genetic makeup of the species; it is not learned, it is an inherent need. If this is not met, it causes problems, sometimes deadly, for the fish.

Studies have now proven that shoaling fish become more aggressive when they are not in a group. Fish that are normally peaceful, say neon tetras, will show clear signs of aggression. Fish that are naturally somewhat aggressive, like Serpae Tetra and Tiger Barbs, become very aggressive. This is solely because of the numbers. There are other signs too. Fish are more "normally active" when feeding for example, if they have a good-sized group of their own.

Fish that are not within a good-sized group will be stressed. At the very least this weakens the fish. And stress is the direct reason for about 980% of all disease in aquarium fish.

Reearch the species to understand their needs, then be prepared to provide for those needs. This is the way to success with healthy fish.

Thanks Byron.

Would of helped if the guy selling me the fish understood more about the species, i'll do some more research.

 

[ClownLurch]

I was warned off Serpae Tetras by a neighbour then by his son then on here in the space of about a week. Turned out my water didn’t suit but it did suit Silver Tip Tetras……..who can also get a bit nippy and naughty apparently.

 

[Byron]

Thanks Byron.

Would of helped if the guy selling me the fish understood more about the species, i'll do some more research.

Fish store employees sadly lack knowledge in most cases. Always do your own research, it does pay off.

One thing I missed previously is the number for a shoaling fish...the "minimum six" is not really wise, it should be in the 10+ range for most all fish. There are some exceptions, like among the loaches, where five or six minimum work. But tetras and similar should have at least 9 or 10 minimum, always. A scientific study has determined this without any question, finding that even groups of five caused stress-related issues for the fish.

 

[CRS]

Fish store employees sadly lack knowledge in most cases. Always do your own research, it does pay off.

One thing I missed previously is the number for a shoaling fish...the "minimum six" is not really wise, it should be in the 10+ range for most all fish. There are some exceptions, like among the loaches, where five or six minimum work. But tetras and similar should have at least 9 or 10 minimum, always. A scientific study has determined this without any question, finding that even groups of five caused stress-related issues for the fish.

So, i've just got back home i've been out the house since 5am Monday due to work, literally half the fish in the tank are missing there fins, the cardinals are looking very white, the Serpae tetras are very fast, i'm really struggling the catch them, i've tried putting food in the nets i have 3 nets in the tank hoping to catch them, i will take them back to the store asap. This is stressful.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Sometimes, we have to learn the hard way, sadly

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

i'm really struggling the catch them

You need to be able to shrink their swimming space.
I now have a piece of thick acetate, cut to size, that I can insert into the tank.
I drive the fish into one end of the tank, insert the acetate, remove some of the decor and catching fish is infinitely easier.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Agree about the serpaes; hope you can get them caught. Red phantoms on the other hand are lovely little fish. Beautiful colors, peaceful (so far--I'm four months in and I've never seen them bother anyone, even each other), and they tend to school together rather tightly, even when they're relaxed. They look amazing in big groups, so I advise getting a whole bunch of them. I plan to get another dozen or so for my South America tank at some point.

 

[CRS]

You need to be able to shrink their swimming space.
I now have a piece of thick acetate, cut to size, that I can insert into the tank.
I drive the fish into one end of the tank, insert the acetate, remove some of the decor and catching fish is infinitely easier.

Me and my girlfriend have been trying for awhile to catch them i have several nets, they are fast.
Will keep trying.

Some good news though found two shrimplets, they are tiny, going off the video i've just watched i'd say they're a couple of weeks old they have colour but not much. How are yours doing?

Agree about the serpaes; hope you can get them caught. Red phantoms on the other hand are lovely little fish. Beautiful colors, peaceful (so far--I'm four months in and I've never seen them bother anyone, even each other), and they tend to school together rather tightly, even when they're relaxed. They look amazing in big groups, so I advise getting a whole bunch of them. I plan to get another dozen or so for my South America tank at some point.

Yes i agree now it's obvious to me which one is the Red phantom, they're the nicer looking fish very friendly i'll return the Serpaes and buy a few more red phantoms.