Rummy nose and neon tetra shoals

bigfish93

How many of each could I get for a 38 gallon (36L x 20H x 13W) aquarium? The tank will be heavily planted
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Sherry1966

I had 10 cardinal tetra's in my 55g and they were not staying together. I went to 20. They are so much happier, in my size tank.
Try 10 and 10 and see if that works for your size tank.

Byron

As it mentions in our profile of Hemigrammus bleheri (the brilliant rummy), this fish always does better with larger groups. In your 3-foot tank I would aim for 15 of this species.

Cardinals are a bit different, and a group of anything above 5 should be fine. In their habitat, observations have noted that in those with more open space the fish remain in huge groups of hundreds and stay close. But in habitats with sunken branches, aquatic or marginal overhanging vegetation that is thick, the fish tended to break up into smaller groups of 5-6, though still remaining close to the rest. And as Sherry noted, the tank size does impact; the more space, the more they congregate, which is obviously connected to what I just mentioned about their habitats.

Byron.

bigfish93

Wow that's a lot of fish. Sorry, I'm coming back from saltwater where you can't keep quite as many fish in a tank. I'm glad that I get to keep so many fish though
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Byron

You mentioned well planted, and that makes a difference. Plus we assume weekly partial water changes of about half the tank volume.

You probably should look at some substrate fish too, and corys fit nicely, 5-6 of one species, or two species with 3-4 of each. Several species are in our profiles. And for some added interest, something unusual but very peaceful, a Whiptail Catfish or Red Lizard Whiptail? And if the water is soft, even add a Farlowella vittata for supreme algae control, and its pre-historic looks.

Byron.

bigfish93

Awesome! You were a huge help when I was setting up my first planted tank Byron. I switched over to saltwater but now I'm back at it with a freshwater tank. I'm sure you will be a huge help to me again. It will definitely be heavily planted and I plan on doing some big water changes each week
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Thoth

I had 10 neons in a 20 Long, 30" L x 13" W and they schooled well until the plants grew in. Now they stay close but I would not call it schooling. They must feel protected because of the heavy plant cover.