Paraguay tetras - they should be called Murder Tetras - alternatives?

[Magua]

We’ll, I got 10 3-spot Paraguay tetra yesterday to add to my tank and they’re absolute jerks. My tank was stocked with the most peaceful fish ever and those 3-spots started wreaking havoc as soon as they hit the water. It’s been less than 24 hours and they’re torturing my simple neons. Called petco and they’ll allow an exchange. If I can even catch these little buggers, they’re going back today.

question is…what to get instead!? I currently have 10 neons, 4 otos, 8 dwarf corys, and once DG. I know lamb chop rasboras are supposed to be super chill…what other small schooling fish would go well with that stock? Not looking for more neons. Suggestions?

 

[Chewbacca773]

We’ll, I got 10 3-spot Paraguay tetra yesterday to add to my tank and they’re absolute jerks. My tank was stocked with the most peaceful fish ever and those 3-spots started wreaking havoc as soon as they hit the water. It’s been less than 24 hours and they’re torturing my simple neons. Called petco and they’ll allow an exchange. If I can even catch these little buggers, they’re going back today.

question is…what to get instead!? I currently have 10 neons, 4 otos, 8 dwarf corys, and once DG. I know lamb chop rasboras are supposed to be super chill…what other small schooling fish would go well with that stock? Not looking for more neons. Suggestions?

How big is your tank?

 

[Magua]

How big is your tank?

30 gallon, heavily planted, 2 big HOBs.

 

[PAcanis]

I like the way rummy nose tetras school, but they are almost too active. At least compared to the other fish in my tank.

 

[Chewbacca773]

30 gallon.

you could get some rummy nose, or some other tetra or rasbora-type thing. Lambchops are cool

 

[MacZ]

With tetras something like this is actually expectable. Most species are not community material.

Rummynose would require a long tank. 150cm would be a good length, 120cm would be the absolute minimum. In bigger tanks they actually show their legendary schooling behaviour. They seem totally lost in smaller tanks.

 

[Hellfishguy]

Pristellas are beautiful and peaceful. They're not the tightest schoolers, but they're practically bulletproof.

 

[GlennO]

Harlequin rasboras contrast well with neons.

 

[Magua]

Harlequin rasboras contrast well with neons.

And that’s what I ended up with! Took 2 hours to catch all the 3 spot tetras. Took them back and got a small school of harlequins (a few in the pic!). They’re VERY peaceful and my neon tetras are so much happier!

 

[A201]

Might be a good idea to keep the aggressive Paraguay Tetras & add another group of tough Tetras to balance them out.
It's been my experience that the more boisterous species tend to be the most durable, active, disease resistant & more enjoyable to watch.