Adding to Tetra Tank?

Momtoast

little orange fish
Jul 12, 2005
17
0
0
Greenville, SC
www.ebloggy.com
I currently have a 10 gallon tank that's been up and running for two months. I only have 4 glowlight tetras in there. They are all very happy.

I was thinking of adding a (very small) centerpiece fish to the tank, along with maybe two ghost shrimp, to make things more interesting.

Would tetras nip at a long finned fish? (like a guppy?) Does anyone have suggestions for a small fish that doesn't mind living alone?
 
Yes, tetras love to nip at long finned fish. I tried keeping a beta and guppies with mine. I ended up taking my beta out and putting him in a bowl and my guppies died. I have 2 tanks, a 29 and a 39 gallon one. the 39 is my tetra tank, and the 29 is my live bearer tank. There are all sorts of tetras you can buy, large and small that would fit in beautifully with the ones you have now. For instance a gold dust tera which shimmers under the light like it has been sprinkled with gold dust, or some lemon tetras. I also love the blue columbian ones, they would add some color to your tank. You can mix the livebearers with the egg layers. the main reason I don't is because all tetras are very hardy fish and rarely get diseases, live bearers for the most part are more likely to get ick, fin rot, etc. You can get some short finned fish such as mollies or platties and they would do just fine, just be careful and don't get anything so big they eat your tetras. If you want to try a beta or guppie, you can, just be prepared to move it to an alternate location if the fin nipping starts. I know I am going on and on about this, but here is an experience I had. I already told you about the beta w/ my tetras, well I now have a beta with my mollies and gupppies. I picked this particular beta because it was already swimming aroung in a community tank at the pet store and looked fine. As soon as I put it in my tank the other fish nipped at it, the beta showed them who was boss, (killed 2 mollies), and now nothing will mess with my beta. if you get a beta with the right "personality" he might can handle your tetras. As far as small fish, get you a couple cory's. they are excelent bottom feeders, and will not get to big. Good Luck!
 
I also have 4 glowlight tetras. They are in a 29 gallon along with about 5 male guppies and they dont nip at all. Actually i believe i read somewhere that glowlights are pretty timid fish. I dont think you will have to worry about them at all.
 
Thanks for the advice. I may look into getting another kind of tetra, but I have a limited choice. I'll also check out less finny livebearers, but webbie's right, they are very timid.
 
centerpiece fish? just look for something that's slightly larger than the rest... and also kinda rare... it'llautomatically be a centerpiece. try to think of something that's from a totally different region as the rest, or totally different family...
 
I doubt the glowlights will be much of a problem with other fish, what about a dwarf gourami? Alot of tetras really aren't nippy, but are much more so when kept in smaller tank. I think they get a bad rap!
 
Yeah, well, most people would say a 10 gallon is small. I'll see what choices I have at the pet shop this weekend.

I would love a dwarf gourami.

I was also thinking a couple or three rasboras.

I dunno. I'm so indecisive. :confused:
 
Glowlights are rather peaceful fish, IME. Not really "nippers" like some of the larger tetras. I think they'd be fine with a betta or better yet a Dwarf Gourami.

Resist the urge to get rasboras. They're a schooling fish (like your tetras) and need bigger schools. Also, if you want mroe smaller fish, I must suggest you add to your existing school of glowlights because they are happy when there are a lot of them.:)
 
I agree Dwarf Gouramis work great as a centerpeace with the fish you currently have. I had one up to about 2 weeks ago and he was great with my fish they never fought or nipped or anything.
 
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