eaglescout316

So, i'm apparently cycling my tank with 5 gold long-finned danios and a pleco of unknown species, which will possibly get too big for the tank. Wasn't the intent but that's the curveball this hobby has greeted me with.

I wanted to add some really colorful fish, and was thinking about some tetras. Neons, black neons, silver-tipped, not sure of the specifics but they seemed to be the most colorful options. Would a school of tetras be a good addition or would they not get along with the current fish? Also, if they ARE good tank buddies, could i mix up the tetras to form a school? I was thinking something like 3 neons and 3 black neons, but if that's not considered a group of 6 i'll reconsider.

Are there any other particularly colorful--and hopefully commonly available--fish for a starter like me? I'd wait for the cycle to be finished for sure this time before adding more fish, and would continue to gradually add the fish.

Appreciate the help,

Cory

clinton1621

The only issue with neons is they most likely will only survive in a tank thats more than 3 months old AND has very good water quality... not to say that you cant get neons once you are completely cycled, but the odds are better for them to live if you wait for a couple of months after the tank cycles to make sure the tank is very well established. Neons also require longer to acclimate, I would recommend no less than 45 minutes. Other than that, neons are a great fish for a community tank and yes they will usually school together even if they are different types.

I would stick with neons only (cardinal, plain neon, or black neon)... the other tetras arent so nice and may nip at the Danios fins.

Another good schooling fish is the Harlequin Rasbora, they are generally a bit hardier than neons as well, take a look at mine on this thread....

My 30g planted and the fish =)

peacemaker92

Here's my suggestion or opinion:

6 Cherry Barbs (easy fish to take care)
6 Glowlight Tetras
6 Zebra Danios
or

9 Neon Tetras
6 Glowlight Tetras
4 Cories (any, though I'd prefer Albinos or Spotted)
or

9 Neon Tetras
9 Cherry Barbs

Well, that's all I can think of. They're colorful fish! I'm sure the other members might have better suggestions! Good luck!

peacemaker92

I agree, Neons are great community fish! Well, it is true other tetras will nip the Danios' fins except Glowlights! They're cute and nice! I LOVE THEM! They're friendly, calm and mind their own business when they're in a school of 6 or more! Mine are great!

eaglescout316

So, looks like my next batch will be 6 glowlight tetras, then my total will be one temporary pleco, 5 gold danios, 6 glowlights. When i do get rid of the pleco, i'll get corys in its place. That will probably fill the tank, since the danios get to be 3, the others around 1.5 from what i've read.

eaglescout316

6 glowlight tetras - 9 inches
5 gold long finned danios - 12.5 inches
rubbernose pleco - 4 inches

So i'm up to 25.5 inches of fish in a 29 gallon tank. What about a pearl gourami or something similar? I've also thought about trying to mix up what kind of tetras to get, but gotta avoid the fin nipping too.

peacemaker92

You probably can only keep about 1 Gourami which isn't recommendable. I'd be satisfied with your current stock.

eaglescout316

I guess i'm getting mixed signals, because i've also seen (on this site) that having more than 1 gourami means there can be a lot of aggression between them. I would think that would be an argument AGAINST having more than one.