piranha and tetras

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Charney

Charney

The Fish Doctor
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Nov 15, 2005
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So after years in the hobby, I have finally decided to play with piranha's. I went to aquascapeonline.com the other day and fell in love with the ruby red spilo. So I am going to set up either my 29 gallon or 26 gallon and pick up a small specimen. Someone told me I could probably get a school of neons or black neons in there safely. Is this true, would they be fast enough to survive or are they expensive feeders?

Also I want to put some live plants in the tank. I want to put a normal output t5 light on the tank. Will this be too bright for the fish?

Thanks
 
Don't bank on your tetras to stay alive. They'll eventually become expensive feeders.
 
I'd go with a 40 breeder. It'll eat the tetras though. If i recall, they only grow to 8-9 inches? You're usually talking bigger specimens before they stop bothering to chase small fish. Especially if you started small. My 7 or 8 inch red bellies will chase down white clouds in a bigger tank then you're considering.
 
yeah I wouldn't put tetras in with piranhas ive never kept pirahnas but by expirience big fish with teeth will eat the smaller fish. I would get a school of piranhas cause I feel bad for lonely schooling fish
 
Im guessing your tetras will be gone. Planted tank sounds good and I believe the t5's would be alright with the fish. It'll be hiding once in a while because of the bright lights but the P will be okay.
 
My big piranhas usually don't bother tetras to much.they will get one from time to time. Big school of tetras with piranha looks awesome.I love tetras in my piranha tanks.anything you put with piranha can n probably will become food sooner or later.
 
Agreed^ once a p is pretty big it usually wouldn't go for tiny tetras but yes little serras are gonna eat whatevers in the tank. I have a shoal of three piraya bought 5 emerald corys and about 20 neon tetras. It looked friggin sweet! Until the next morning when I only had 3 neons left. But all my corys are still alive they have nipped fins but still alive. I think a shoal of emeralds would be best.
 
Everybody keeps talking about once a P is pretty big they may not chase tetras but he's talking about a small ruby red spilo...not pirayas, caribas, large rhoms or heck even a thick foot long red belly.

Not to mention he's only wanting to do a 29 gallon or 26 gallon tank. That spilo will easily corner them
 
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