How many Neon tetras in 20 gallon?

How can I take well care of neon tetras?
I have a 20 gallon tank so how many neons can I put in it?
do I need a heater for them. If yes any guess how much it might cost?
any info on neons will be helpful

 

You need a heater and filter for all tropical fish. A good heater will generally run you around $25-30.
I recommend an Aqueon Pro 100w for a 20 gallon.

 

HI again!

Neon tetras are a bit delicate, I believe this is due to the high demand and excessive breeding though. You'll have to keep a very close eye on water parameters with these fish. They do need to be in schools of six or more, and how many you can have really depends on what other fish you want in the tank with them.

As for a heater, yes, they need one. So far, the Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater hasn't failed my 20g.

 

Do I have to test for temperature and P.H?
if yes then how with what

 

You'll need to buy a liquid test kit such as the API Freshwater Master Test Kit, they usually sell this at Petco or Petsmart that lets you test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH.

 

For temperature, I recommend a digital thermometer instead of a glass one. The digital one is easier to read and when I had a glass one it broke.

For pH and other water parameters such as ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, I highly recommend the API Freshwater Master Test Kit, other members will back me up on this.

 

For 1st time fish keepers I suggest White Cloud Mountain Minnows, 8-12 for a 20 gallon. They don't need a heater, they usually are super cheap to buy, and never complain.

 

How much for the kit? Any guess

 

How much for the kit? Any guess

It's around $25, it's pretty much essential.

 

Around $25 for the kit. You can also order off Amazon:

This may seem like a lot, but ultimately it'll save you tons more than the inaccurate test strips!

 

For 1st time fish keepers I suggest White Cloud Mountain Minnows, 8-12 for a 20 gallon. They don't need a heater, they usually are super cheap to buy, and never complain.

It really doesn't matter the type fish. As long as you start out right you can keep whatever you want.

 

How are you cycling your tank? Neon tetras are generally not recommended unless your tank is already established.

 

I'm assuming he's doing a fish-in cycle since he already has the neon tetras... is he familiar with the nitrogen cycle? I don't see anyone asked this of him

 

I don't think the OP already has the neons.......

 

It really doesn't matter the type fish. As long as you start out right you can keep whatever you want.

Yeah, most freshwater fish are pretty easy to keep as long as you read up on them and know if they are jumpers, aggressive, semi-aggressive, community, etc.

 

If you just did neons you could have 20 in there but you need the water temp in the upper 70s and good filtration. Other than betta, neons were my first fish and unknowingly I cycled my first tank with 5 of them and a betta. I've only lost one and the betta got it. But you need a minimum of 6

 

I don't understand what somebody mean when they say " have you cycled your tank"

 

They mean the nitrogen cycle If you don't know it, click the link and read up on it. It's key in fishkeeping and it's necessary to understand it in order to maintain healthy water.

 

Hmm, that link on the nitrogen cycle didn't work. Maybe this one did?

 

I don't think links work on a mobile device...

 

nitrogen cycle

 

I don't think links work on a mobile device...

They work for me on an iPad

 

They work for me on an iPad

I'm on my computer, and your links didn't show up for me.

 

They work for me on an iPad

Hmm well it's not working if you use the app then. "Nitrogen cycle" is not in blue, per se.

 

Anyway, for the OP, I posted the link a few messages up.

 

OP, sounds like you are making a list of what you need to run an aquarium. Good planning!! Might I suggest you take a look at heaters, filters and anything else you need at this web site. Free shipping over $50.00

Also, if you want to save a few bucks, try Aqueon heaters rather than Aqueon Pro heaters.

 

Hello FishLoreans! Can someone please tell me how many Neon Tetras I should add to my newly cycled 20 gallon long tank? I am a little confused as I know the Tetras are schooling fish and should be kept in groups, but the recommendation of adding fish only 1 or 2 at a time to a newly cycled tank is throwing me off.

The eventual plan is to have 8 Neons, 3 Male Guppies, 2 Ghost Shrimp and maybe a snail or two. The new tank is a gift to my 10 year old and he is dead set on having the Neons and the Guppies. We regularly test the water parameters and are quite used to usual maintenance due to having a large Fantail Goldie named George who we have loved for over 5 years now George has not ever tolerated tankmates, so we have not had to worry about more that one fish for quite awhile now.

We will not add any fish until we are sure the cycle is complete and think that adding the Neons first is the way to go. I think adding 8 Neons at once will surely cause an ammonia spike, but I'm afraid that only adding 2 to begin with will stress these not so hardy fish. Please help!

Thanks!

 

WELCOME to Fishlore!!!

You could do:
3 male guppies
12 neons
6-8x cory or kuhlI loach

Seems like your not a beginner ! What test kit are you using? And what are the parameters

As for adding the fish, I suggest doing:
1: 6 neons
2: 6 neons
3: 3 guppies
4: 6-8 cories

The number represent weeks! However every week you add the fish test the water to check for ammonia or if the tank is out of cycle! if the tank has an ammonia spike or what not wait another week!

 

Thank you! I've been reading here quite a lot lately and everyone is so helpful and kind.

I'm not exactly new at fish keeping but poor George, named after Curious George when our son was 5, was our starter, and wasn't always looked after correctly at first. We've learned a lot since then but this will be our first community tank. George terrorized 2 other fantails in the past, before we figured he just likes being a loner and king of his domain.

We use the API Master Kit and parameters are

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10ppm

pH is good too at 7.5

I personally loved the idea of Cories but my son saw some Ghost Shrimp and loved them. Any specific reason why I shouldn't go with them? Could I have one ghost shrimp and still have the Cories? I wouldn't like anyone to get hurt.

 

yes that will work! Corys are peaceful fish and won't harm them! However if you do get corys your gonna need to get shrimp pellets! Corys can't be fed with flakes since flakes dissolve in the water pretty quickly and looses nutritional value. Shrimp pellets are meant for corys and other types of bottom dwelling fish

I am for sure that your son will love the corys! You have sand substrate right?

 

Thanks again A1913!

I do have sand substrate, Estes Aqua Sand in black.

We do not have live plants though Hopefully someday, but we are not set up for that yet. For now we have some driftwood and a variety of plastic plants that are of decent quality. It's pretty much set up with lots of cover and hidey holes on both sides, with open swim space and bare sand in the middle.

Any worries about corys and plastic plants? Most of them are at least 3 inches tall but I have some small grass plugs that are shorter.

Again, thank you so much! We are so excited about establishing a healthy community tank and I'm sorry about my delayed reply.

 

If you get ghost shrimp I would get at least 5. They feel safer in larger groups.

To start with I would add 4 neons, wait two weeks then add another 3-4 until you get to your eventual number.

 

OK, so I would prefer a group of cories but my little aquarist votes for the ghost shrimp. Whichever one we go with, we will get a group, but with the neons and the guppies a necessity, I do not think we should overcrowd the tank with both cories and shrimp.

New question - Which is best for cleaning up detritus?

We try not to overfeed but from our experience with the goldie, tiny food particles at the bottom are unavoidable. He spits these tiny pieces as he eats! This is also our first tank with sand, we have fine gravel in the goldie tank, and so I am a little leary of using the gravel vac the way I usually do.

So, we would like to go with whichever critter will help best at cleaning. Cories or Ghosties? Thanks!

 

Using a gravel vac is really easier than most people think. Simply keep the suction hose about 1/2 inch above the sand and anything loose will be pulled up the tube. I swirl my tube a lil and it help get the detritus off the bottom. You may lose a tiny bit of sand but not anything to worry about. IMO I think Cory do a better job of cleaning up the detritus. I have had shrimp in the past and they seem to eat on the much smaller pieces. I use both Cory and Kuhliis and they do great! Show him what a KuhliI loach is and he may change his mind. My daughter loves ours. She calls them worms... Lol

 

8-10 neon tetras, 2-3 male guppies, 5-10 ghost shrimp and 6 panda cories would not be overstocking in my opinion. Shrimp have virtually no bioload so you don't have to worry about overstocking with them.

 

Both the shrimps and the corys work together but if you don't want the corys that is fine!

Adam Coker gave good advice on cleaning sand with a gravel vacuum! It really is easy! personally I do the same thing except I take the bucker of old water and detritus and then I swirl water and quickly pour the water out but right at the end I slow down! This way all the dirt and waste goes out except the sand, I then just add the sand back to the aquarium

 

After making some decor changes and whatnot, this tank is now just getting to the point where the Nitrates are beginning to show up on the test. I've been lurking on this site so often lately and now am wondering if I could add a Dwarf Gourami to this tank? We are definitely starting with the neons, then the plan is to add 3 male guppies, then 6 false julii's. Might I add on male Dwarf Gourami in this process? They are so beautiful!