Getting my Tetras to School.. Need Suggestions!?

[Honda12]

Yeah if you got 800 neons they wouldn't have any choice but to school. Can you post a pic of the keyhole, it sounds pretty cool. Most I see are blan looking.

 

[concord]

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

would your centipede knives suffice?.... I still cant find any here lol

 

[Miles]

Yeah.. Im thinking a few transparent knives and a few centipede knives might be good additions in the future!

I wonder if the 2 species fight? We will find out!

 

[MaryPaIsInAwe]

I recently set-up my planted 46g bowfront..

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 personally think your tank is pretty well stocked for now. Your Clown Loaches need at least a 100 gal to thrive properly. They do best when in groups of 5 or more.

 

[MaryPaIsInAwe]

Most likely your fish have no reason to school. Most tetras only school when they`re scared. That`s my $02 worth.

 

[guppy]

I agree that at least 3 more clown loaches should be acquired and that they will get to large for that tank but if they are only a couple inchs long now they will be good for a couple years.
Your tetras are, or soon will be at risk from the cichlids.
3 congo tetras would act as "threat fish" but might eat very small tetras. Most fish large and fast enough will.
One way to get the tetras you have to school, other than adding more, is to add a group of 6-8 different tetras such as head and tailights.

 

[ewurm]

If you want to get your Tetras to school, put them in a bag with some water and get on the short bus. LOL

 

[Steve_89]

Stick a juvie pbass in there.

They will school up near the surface in no time