Lemon Tetras + Ember Tetras

I have a few questions+comments surrounding these guys:

I have 8 of both in my 29 gallon tank. I have noticed them schooling together (which I found amusing and amazing) but one lemon tetras will bully the other lemons never touching the embers, I believe this is the peaking order will it calm down/should I be worried?

My second question is a bit confusing, so I have a stronger filter in that tank, the school will swim everywhere around the tank/getting pushed down by the current, but I noticed the tetras taking what looked to be turns? One will swim up against the current, and then gives up and the next one will do that. What does this mean if it means anything.

I do have to say I love my little school of these guys and find them adorable I’m working towards live food for them so especially the lemons get more of their yellow color back!

 

The dominant Lemon Tetra is doing what comes naturally. As long as the aggression doesn't lead to injury, no worries.
It's not unusual for fish to swim playfully in the flow or through a bubble wall.
Sometimes when fish swim against the current it's an indication that the water parameters are out of whack. The fish are trying to get oxygen. That's probably not the case in your situation.

 

The dominant Lemon Tetra is doing what comes naturally. As long as the aggression doesn't lead to injury, no worries.
It's not unusual for fish to swim playfully in the flow or through a bubble wall.
Sometimes when fish swim against the current it's an indication that the water parameters are out of whack. The fish are trying to get oxygen. That's probably not the case in your situation.

Oh thank you! I appreciate it! Yeah my water qualities are good, I kinda came up with the idea it was a dare. It’s entertaining to watch them, I could watch them for hours lol

 

We had some mollie a and platies a few years ago that would take turns "riding the airstone" was quite entertaining to watch!! My lemon tetras try to get dominant with other fish sometimes but the black phantoms typically put them in their place quickly.

 

We had some mollie an and platies a few years ago that would take turns "riding the airstone" was quite entertaining to watch!! My lemon tetras try to get dominant with other fish sometimes but the black phantoms typically put them in their place quickly.

It’s super entertaining!! I love it lol

 

I know it is often quoted that 6 is a minimum and you already have 8 but in my experience slightly bigger numbers help spread the mild aggression you are seeing.

As you have already noticed them schooling together perhaps that is an indication they would rather be in a bigger group?

It’s my opinion you have room for 4 or 5 more embers? It’s your tank but I am just expressing my opinion on school sizes.

Playing in the current is a normal behaviour.

 

I know it is often quoted that 6 is a minimum and you already have 8 but in my experience slightly bigger numbers help spread the mild aggression you are seeing.

As you have already noticed them schooling together perhaps that is an indication they would rather be in a bigger group?

It’s my opinion you have room for 4 or 5 more embers? It’s your tank but I am just expressing my opinion on school sizes.

Playing in the current is a normal behaviour.

Lemon tetras don’t touch the ember tetras, the ember tetras do not bother the lemon tetras. I would get a bigger school but I am going to add a betta and maybe a few corydoras and I don’t want to over stock

 

I understand they are not aggressive to the other species that you currently have.

I have no experience with the 2 inch lemon tetra but have kept numerous similar body shaped and sized tetras, in small and lager groups.

As mentioned it’s your tank if you want to add two more species go for it. I would suggest the large tetras and a betta may not work ? If you have another tank you can pop the betta in it may be necessary? Feeding time was just one of the problems I had with a betta in a community tank.

We have a 32 gallon in our lounge. I found head and tail light tetras to be just too big for it and what I want to see.

 

I understand they are not aggressive to the other species that you currently have.

I have no experience with the 2 inch lemon tetra but have kept numerous similar body shaped and sized tetras, in small and lager groups.

As mentioned it’s your tank if you want to add two more species go for it. I would suggest the large tetras and a betta may not work ? If you have another tank you can pop the betta in it may be necessary? Feeding time was just one of the problems I had with a betta in a community tank.

We have a 32 gallon in our lounge. I found head and tail light tetras to be just too big for it and what I want to see.

Sorry if it came off of rude I didn’t mean it that way lol. Yeah I’m still trying to figure out what species of corydoras I’d get… but I do have a 5.5 gallon tank set up for Naga and if he bothers the other fish or the other fish bother him he’ll live in the big tank. I was told to introduced the other species in a fish tank than him. Im going to do that!! What do you mean by “large tetras” as well? I was told that lemon tetras don’t get super big- maybe it was misinformation Im not sure- but thank you!

 

I call any fish that grows to 2 inches large. I guess that is not really correct? 2 inches is considerably bigger than an ember tetra with more muscle.

I found the “piranha” shape of similar tetras to mean they attack dry food the moment it hits the water. Only time will tell?

 

I call any fish that grows to 2 inches large. I guess that is not really correct? 2 inches is considerably bigger than an ember tetra with more muscle.

I found the “piranha” shape of similar tetras to mean they attack dry food the moment it hits the water. Only time will tell?

Guess so, at the moment the ember tetras and lemon tetras are almost perfectly the same size, the lemons a tiny bit bigger.

 

. . . I found the “piranha” shape of similar tetras to mean they attack dry food the moment it hits the water. Only time will tell?

I dunno. My lemon tetras will take food off the top of the water, but the serpae tetras wait for it to start falling.

As a matter of fact, in the 40 gallon breeder tank the pearl gouramis feed at the top (as you might expect), then as the food starts falling the pristella tetras get to it, as it falls farther the serpae tetras get in on the act, and finally the Corycoras trilineatus, so the fish are feeding at four different levels. There is some overlap of course, but it's still noticeable.

 

I dunno. My lemon tetras will take food off the top of the water, but the serpae tetras wait for it to start falling.

As a matter of fact, in the 40 gallon breeder tank the pearl gouramis feed at the top (as you might expect), then as the food starts falling the pristella tetras get to it, as it falls farther the serpae tetras get in on the act, and finally the Corycoras trilineatus, so the fish are feeding at four different levels. There is some overlap of course, but it's still noticeable.

All of my tetras swim after the food as it’s falling, I have a 29 gallon tank

 

Hey ProudPapa it’s great to have a reply from someone who has had lemon tetras long enough for them to show adult behaviour.

Can you give your opinion on keeping a betta in their tank ? You do have experience with betta? Do you think a betta would be able to complete for food with a school of lemon tetras ?
Would you trust them not to nip the fins?

 

Hey ProudPapa it’s great to have a reply from someone who has had lemon tetras long enough for them to show adult behaviour.

Can you give your opinion on keeping a betta in their tank ? You do have experience with betta? Do you think a betta would be able to complete for food with a school of lemon tetras ?
Would you trust them not to nip the fins?

My only experience with bettas is the one I had in my 40 gallon community tank for a while. The lemon tetras are in my 65. With that being said, they are pretty aggressive about going after food, so it could be a problem.

Like most tetras, if you have enough of them (six is often listed as the minimum, but I prefer eight or more), I'd be very surprised if they would bother the betta. They haven't bothered my angelfish.

 

My only experience with bettas is the one I had in my 40 gallon community tank for a while. The lemon tetras are in my 65. With that being said, they are pretty aggressive about going after food, so it could be a problem.

Like most tetras, if you have enough of them (six is often listed as the minimum, but I prefer eight or more), I'd be very surprised if they would bother the betta. They haven't bothered my angelfish.

With how my betta is he stays at the top of my 5.5 gallon, towards one side. Do you think he would be ok with the 8 ember tetras and 8 lemon tetras?

 

With how my betta is he stays at the top of my 5.5 gallon, towards one side. Do you think he would be ok with the 8 ember tetras and 8 lemon tetras?

First, I assume you mean in a larger tank? If yes, you could try, but have a backup plan in case the lemon tetras get all the food before the betta can get some.

 

First, I assume you mean in a larger tank? If yes, you could try, but have a backup plan in case the lemon tetras get all the food before the betta can get some.

yeah sorry my bad, he would be put into the 29-gallon tank! and will do alright thank you!