20 Gal. Tetra Only Hex Tank Setup

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DrownedPlant

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Aug 2, 2013
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Hello,

I have a few questions about tetras that i want for my new tank.

1. I heard that there is a gallon to inch of fish ratio. I don't see how this rule can be accurate, because I don't think my 6" Bala Shark would be happy in a 10 gallon tank. What is the maximum number of tetras I can have in the tank?

2. Tetras are schooling fish. I have heard different amounts of fish for schooling (3, 5, 10, etc.) How many tetras should be in a school as a minimum?

3. Another schooling question. For the tetras to school together do they need to be the same type or can a black neon tetra school with a glowlight tetra for example?

4. If possible, I would like fish at different levels. Do different tetras swim at different levels?

5. I would like to use the black neon tetras as the main fish in the tank. Are there any tetras that will not get along with each other?

Sorry if this is a lot of questions.

Thanks in advance for the help
 
1. You've already debunked the worst stocking rule in the hobby. Well done! What are the rough dimensions? Hex tanks are odd, as tetras like more length than anything.

2. For most schooling fish, usually people recommend 6+ but there are exceptions.

3. Generally fish stick closer to their own species, plus I think it looks better. But most "schooling" fish really only loosely "shoal" together. It's hard to recreate the schooling effect without large, large numbers and/or they are threatened.

4. Some tetras do stick to the bottom more often. I want to say rummynose (rummies) are more towards the bottom, for example. But a lot of them are mid/upper level swimmers.

5. Most tetras are community fish outside of some of the really large species.
 
Thanks for the quick reply.

I will add the exact dimensions once I find a place to put it. I recieved the tank from a friend so I don't have the measurements for it.

A few more questions I thought up... sorry,

Do I need an underwater heater since the tank is taller that a normal 20 gal. or will a heater at the top work?

Also, I like the look of sand instead of gravel. Either way, I want to use what the fish would like best. Which would you recommend?

Thanks again!
 
If you're using an aquarium heater, it doesn't matter where you put it, as long as it's in the water.

Sand/gravel is largely to your preference, as far as tetras are concerned. Most don't really care.

I'm not sure how happy tetras will be in a smallish hex like yours, unless you're looking at a flat back hex, because, as jpappy said, they like to be able to use the length.

Yes, rummies like to be low in the water. Yes, hatchets like to be at the top. It really varies, and you can research different tetra species to see what you like.

You may be better off, if your hex is a standard hex, to look at something along the lines of nano fish, like ember tetras, celestial pearl danios, neon rasboras, and the like. They're smaller, and you can get away with shorter dimensions as a result.
 
For bottom-level tetras I've found that my 6 serpa tetras tend to stick to the bottom of my 75. I wouldn't put any in a 20 hex though... as for aggression I've found that the tetras that are more <> shapes (solid diamond/taller bodies) are more aggressive then the more <=> shaped one (minnow-ish). For the hex I'd say 6-8 black neons (assuming REALLY good filtration). I can't think of any small fish that like the bottom or top levels of a tank that are also tetras and will be good with that footprint though... As of yet I have not found a fish that cared much what the substrate was, and tetras are even less likely to notice then most, being midlevel fish.

Good luck and I hope you post pics when you finish the tank!
 
some good responses up there. I'd like to expand on Jpappy's #3. If you're looking for the schooling effect, you probably won't find it.

Don't take this part as fact or good advice, but my schools group up so rarely in their "safe" tank, I sometimes think they'd be just as happy without a school of their own kind... all of the small fish just seem to act as each other's dithers, regardless of species. The only exception in my current community tank is the 3 smallest tiger barbs who sometimes group up, but the bigger two couldn't care less
 
Sorry about the delayed response... new cat, long weekend

The tank is about 12" across (pane to pane) and about 13" across (corner to corner). It is about 17" tall.

If this is not a tank that I should not put tetras in, what fish would be recommended?

Also, the tank currently does not have a filter. I was going to buy a Marina S20 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032GFZWW but would like to know if any other brand is recommended.

Thanks
 
Hmmz... you could probably do a ram in that tank, but it is a hex...

I'd suggest shrimp, maybe a planted invert tank?

If fish are a must then maybe some black neon tetras, a gouramis (dwarf, I'd suggest a sparkling gouramis), and 2-3 ottos. Tank should be planted if you want these fish.

The filter, eh, I can't say as I use almost only canister filters on my tanks.
 
Fluval makes some internal canister filters, and since their HOBs and canisters are top notch, I'd imagine their internals are good, too.

My vote still stands for nano fish.
 
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