Hardiest Tetra

Maj0rFiSh

L33t 5p34k m0f0!!11one
Jan 14, 2005
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South Coast of UK
I will be wanting a large amount all in all of tetras in my 55 gal, but i cant have the smaller ones like cardinals, neons, ect due to my pictus'. Im after tetras like widdows, congo's, ect the larger tetras, what are the hardiest, easier going tetra that will be ideal in a large group? and that have a slighty longer life span...thanks all!!
 
Serpae tend to be known as rather tough little tetras. They are aggressive as well so a group is always good.

Perhaps as an alternative to tetras look into barbs. Tigers are pretty hardy fellows.
 
Blackskirt Tetras! I still have the same ones I cycled (I know, I didn't know better) my first tank with. Those same ones have made it through 2 cycles, and a tank breaking. Hardy little buggers :p
 
Do rainbow fish do well in large groups?
 
I have blackskirts, pristellas and cardinals. The blackskirts are the boss tetra, but not in an aggressive way. Serpaes are definitely one of the more striking colored tetra, with an attitude to match.
 
Most of the larger tetras I have kept were less friendly than the smaller ones, but infinitely hardier. My favorite is actually the Buenos Aires Tetra. The down side is they are very unfriendly and quite bulletproof.

You might be safe with just taller bodies tetras, as that makes swallowing rather unlikely. Black Tetras, Larger Serpaes, Bleeding hearts, and Colombian Red and Blue come to mind. Generally these guys are nippier than the neons, glowlights, or cardinals. The exception being congos, mine are extremely peaceful, but also rather expensive comparatively.

If you're just looking for larger schooling fish, try praecox rainbows or turquoise rainbows, both are fairly peaceful. Rainbows love to be in schools.

It sort of depends on what your other fish are. If you're looking for a pushy aggressive tetra, get buenos aires in a school, if you just want something that schools and won't really biother anyone, try the rainbows.

--Mia
 
Rainbows do very well in large groups, just be prepared to spend more for them. I would recommend the dwarf neons as they don't get much over 2 -2.5".
 
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