jar05g

Hey guys. I wasn't sure where to list this...so I just put it here. Anyway...I just set up a 29 gallon about a week ago. I'm just into the cycle where I'm starting to have a slight nitrite reading. As of now, I have two Danios, a Serpae Tetra, a dyed glow Tetra, two Pristella Tetras, a ghost shrimp, and a Swordtail. This is what I was looking at adding once my cycle is complete:

Odessa Barb
Cherry Barb
Harlequin Rasbora
White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Some of the fish articles here said to keep those fish in small schools. What do you guys think? How many of each do you think would be good?

Thanks!

MissMTS

I have 2 29 Gallon tanks and I have learned that it is better to keep a few kinds of fish in schools than one of each kind. The Rasbora, White Cloud, Barbs, Tetras, and Danios are all schooling fish. Swordtails are usually to aggressive to go in with tetras. I would see if you could take it back or put it in another tank. Also, just my oppinion, it is cruel to dye fish because they do not live as long and there are plenty of naturally beautiful breeds out there. You may want to try the following:
Total Stocking for 29 Gallon:
5 Pristella Tetras
6 Danios
4 Serpae Tetras
6 Glowlight or Neon Tetras
1 Ghost Shrimp
You can also look at my tanks for ideas. Good luck

0morrokh

Most of the fish you have already are shoalers, so you should get more of them before you add new species.

The danios, serpaes, dyed tetras (see note on them below), and pristellas all should be kept in groups of 6 or more. Unfortunately even 6 of these 4 species will overstock the tank. Swordtails should be kept in trios (1 male and 2 or more female), or a group of all females. What kind of danio and what species of (dyed) tetras are they? Regardless, you should consider getting a larger tank or a second one to accomidate larger groups of your fish, so they'll be happy and healthier.

About the dyed fish...In case you haven't heard, dying fish is an extremely inhumane, painful process which actually kills around 90% of the fish that go through it. So please don't buy dyed fish again. It's ok if you didn't realize when you first bought them-that's the store's fault for stocking them in the first place. So, find out what species the dyed fish are and then try to get more un-dyed fish of that species.

MissMTS

Oh yeah, and definetly don't put barbs in with your tetras. They are semi-aggressive fish and will nip the fins of your tetras.

jar05g

I was planning on taking the Danios out. They are about 2" in length each. The whole reason for getting a freshwater tank was so that I could have a lot of fish...I enjoy seeing schooling fish. So after the help you guys have given me, I will probably (this is after the cycle is complete of course) take out the Danios, add a couple female sword tails, throw in some more of the serpae tetras and pristella tetras. There seems to be a large group of tetras that I can choose from. Do all tetras have to be kept in groups of 6 or more, or can they be in a group of 4 or what?

MissMTS

My tetras are in all different groupings. I would definetly get at least 4 of each type. If you get similar kinds like neons and glowlights for instance they will school together-at least mine do. I would be really careful with the swordtails though cause the males can be aggressive. I really like my tank of tetras, so you should have fun with yours. I would suggest putting a couple of cory catfish in the tank as bottomfeeders. They are super cute and work well with tetras!

jar05g

You think even when I add the female swordtails that the males will be aggressive? Have you ever seen the Pink Glow Fish? I think that's what they're called. Can they be mixed with tetras as well?

MissMTS

I actually haven't seen those......You could try the swordtails and see, I didn't want to risk trying, but it might work. I had some in with guppies and they didn't bother the guppies very much. Make sure that your tetras aren't to small though cause the male swordtail gets 4 inches and if you have neons it may try to eat them. I have had fish smaller than that try to eat neons, so maybe go with bigger versions of tetras. I really like long finned serpae tetras.

jar05g

Well, we don't have to worry about the swordtail anymore. It died last night. Probably because the tank is in the middle of the cycle. I'm gonna take a look at the long finned serpae tetras here on fish lore...