Mixing Tetras?

[blond_america]

I'm planning on setting up a 18 gallon tank that will contain 12 tetras and 2 rams. For now my tank has 6 rummy nose tetras. I like the rummy nose tetra and don't mind getting 6 more but i was wondering if it's possible to instead get 6 of another type of south american tetra (for example black phantom tetra). I find my rummys to be fairly nervous and i'd like them to be as comfortable as possible so i don't mind getting a few more but i was thinking that getting a group of 6 less nervous tetras might help coax the rummys out of hiding.

If it sounds like a good idea does anyone have any suggestions of a good match for my rummys?

[andyjh]

I love my Cardinal Tetras. Very colorful, and certainly don't act nervously in my tank. Can't imagine they'd have any issues with the Rummy Nose.
Andy

[jpappy789]

Stay small. I would say neons, embers, etc.

[SilverDollarMan]

I recently bought neons for my tank, and they are extremely active, trust me you will love them.

[cptkd]

I have back phantoms, and my largest one is an absolute "terror"!
He is quick and sharp, and can run every dam fish away faster than I've ever seen.
Not sure if that just "him", since the rest are still rather small, but I was surprised at his aggression considering that they aren't technically like that.
As long as you have SIX, you should be alright.
Less than that and they don't seem to be very happy - The whole schooling thing seems REALLY important to them!!!
Hope this helps some
Cptkd

[Pudge]

I'm not too sure about rummy nose tetras but currently in my tank I have 4 Phantom Tetra, and 6 Cardinal tetra, and they have never seemed to have any issues with another. The Cardinal tetra are very lively and are almost always schooling.

[Mgamer20o0]

simply yes you can though i like the look of larger schools of fish.

[blond_america]

Ya i guess that's what i should consider...whether i want two separate schools or one big one. I just did a quick calculation and 57 liters is more like 15 US gallons not 18. Twelve tetra and two rams might be too much for that tank.

Thanks for the replies.

[abcdefghi]

FYI Rummy Nose Tetra also stay closer to the bottom of the tank, so you might be mistaking that for them being nervous.

[NUMB3RS]

I like the big school of them so get 6 more rummy noses

[blond_america]

I think it's the tank light that is making them behave this way. When the light is off they swim around carefree but as soon as it comes on they cower under a single plant (all 6 of them crammed in there) and do not move for the eight hours until the light is turned off. I'm slowly adding plants to the tank but the LFS is a long bus ride away so i don't get a chance to go often.

But i agree they like to spend most of their time near the bottom of the tank.

[jpappy789]

Have you tried any floating plants?

[blond_america]

No not yet but that will take care of the lighting problem. Anybody got a suggestion for a floating plant that is from the south american rivers that these rummy nose tetras come from? I'd like to approximate their natural setting if possible.

[jpappy789]

frogbit, pennywort, red root floater, and najas (aka guppy grass) are more SA specific.

riccia and water lettuce can be found in other tropical regions around the world.

duckwee and hornwort are found pretty much everywhere ;)