Advice on Serpae Tetras

petluvr

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Jun 5, 2008
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Podunk, Va.
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Larry
I am going to be picking up 25 Serpaes tomorrow and am in a quandary about which tank I want them in. My choices are a 29, 40 breeder or a 55. I would really like these to go into the 29 but am afraid that is not enough space for all of them. Am I right in this assumption and should I just stick with my original plan of them going into the 55?
 
I had 20 diamond tetras (roughly the same size) in QT in a 20 long. I felt so bad for them. I think it would be really cramped, and you will not enjoy them as much. They are really pretty and what a nice large group!!
 
either by themselves in a 40 breeder, or with other stuff in a 55 will work. A 29 is waaaay too cramped...
 
I would go with one of the larger tanks. A friend had them and they are on the nippy side too which I'm sure you already know.
 
With that many, they shouldn't be all that nippy but even so a 29 is too small for 25 serpaes. Like User said, 40 by themselves or 55 with others.
 
Just don't put them with any long finned fish like angels or bettas and no shy fish either. My 6 do fine with a gaggle of male guppies but I feel like one of the lucky ones from all that I read.

If you're thinking of ideas of what to put with them later, I think maybe a red tailed shark would be ok(in the 55) or a pair of firemouths or convicts.

Lastly, when adding new additions, they do tend to see if they can push the new guy around at all. It's always worked itself out for me.
 
These guys are very nippy. I'd say, every 3rd to 4th is always nipping. There are a few that keep showing off and fighting, pretty cool to watch. I've been feeding my 23 Tetra 2x a day, 2x a week I also feed frozen blood worms. It helps to keep nipping down, at least, just a tad, lol. They were very confident and exploring just 2-3hrs after I introduced them into the tank, should of been my first clue they would be trouble!
 
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