Getting my Tetras to School.. Need Suggestions!?

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Miles

Miles

Stingray King
MFK Member
Jul 2, 2005
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Spokane, WA
I recently set-up my planted 46g bowfront.. Now I am debating to myself what type of fish I should add to induce schooling with my tetras.

I have 9 Colombian red/blue Tetras, which will school from time to time. My first though is that my school is not large enough, because the dominant individuals become territorial and that breaks up the group. I would love to add more, but at $3.50/ea, I would rather wait until they go on clearance..

So I am looking to add 1 larger, but non-aggressive, specimen to the tank, and looking widely for suggestions!

The tank includes 5 white clouds, and 6 bolivian rams..
My ideas thus far are:
Pair Clown Loaches (going in regardless)
Keyhole Cichlid (2")
Festivum Cichlid (3")

I would say a Geophagus, but the current one I have in another tank is quite aggressive. I need something that will be large and territorial, but won't bother the Bolivians..

I was thinking African Butterfly, but he will eat my white clouds and probably strike fear in the hearts of the tetras. I am not a fan of Angelfish or Gouramis, so don't bother.. Don't like pink-tailed chalceus, and banded hi-fin sharks are pretty hard to come by here..

So with that being said,
Any suggestions for a large domineering fish that I can add to the tank which will induce my tetras to school more tightly? Or any other suggestions for that matter!

Thanks for your time!
Miles
 
Sometime tetras school but its just when you can't see them and then when you walk into the room they all scatter that is what happens with mine when i first got them. So try just sitting in front of your tank for a while and just watch them and dont create to much movement and this should get them to :). But you still need to get more to make them really school all of my tetras are in schools of at least 20 for each species and they look awesome. And you might try getting some small cheap dither fish to see if they would help at all. And out of the fish you listed the clowns may help but im not sure on that.
 
Thanks for your input..

I was thinking the larger clowns would help, mainly because the Tetras seem to enjoy scattering and hiding amongst the plants. The clown loaches would make them want to hang out more near the surface.

I added the 5 white clouds as dither fish, but I sure do enjoy them.. I will likely add another 10-15 of them.

Sometimes when I sit for long enough they will school VERY Tightly, and race around the tank.. Then as suddenly as they started, they will just quit..

I am hoping 1 large keyhole cichlid and a trio of clown loaches will help things out!
 
I can only think of adding more but like you said the cost of the individual fish. I think the clowns should help and the keyhole, but they aren't that agressive.

I would try the festivum instead since it will get much bigger than the keyhole, plus I think it would make a nice addition to your tank.
 
I hate giant danios, personally.. They are great for a million other things however..

I like the idea of the festivums too, I'm curious if they would be aggressive at all..

Maybe 3 loaches, 1 festive, and 1 keyhole :)
 
Howdy,

A friend of mine had the same problem with neon tetras and it changed when he introduced a red tail shark (Labeo bicolor). From then on, they all stuck together. These fish have personality, so say the least... if you're unlucky, you'll get a killer. If you're lucky, your tetras will school. They're plant-safe.

Good luck, :thumbsup:

HarleyK
 
I picked up 3 clown loaches and a beautiful Keyhole cichlid. I believe the keyhole was selectively bred to display coloration. It has the longest white-tipped lyres I have ever seen and displays purple coloration in some parts!

So far nothing has changed, but we will see what happens once the loaches settle in and become active.
 
800 neon's
 
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