[oandino]

Hello, everyone. I recently finished setting up my first planted tank aquarium. I currently have Java Fern, Crypt Parva, Crypt Wendtii, Crypt Lutea, one anubia, two aponogeton bulbs, and finally, DHG that I am hoping will carpet once I install CO2 in the next couple of weeks.

In terms of fish, I have two Black Skirt Tetras, two Red Eye Tetras, and two White Skirt Tetras. All of these were in my old 10-gallon tank. I also have 2 nerites as a clean-up crew.

I currently have an Eheim Classic 250, so my filtration is pretty good.

I was wondering which fish I want to add in there. I have had these for almost two years now. Would I be able to get 1 more Black Skirt and White Skirt? I read somewhere that they should be kept in groups of three. In terms of the Red Eye Tetras, I wanted to add 1 more, but it says they should be kept in groups of six or more. My question is the following: Would I be able to keep the 12 fish in the tank? If so, should that be the max number I go for, or could I risk adding some neon tetras in there as well?

Thanks, guys. Stay safe.

 

[germanblueramlover]

All of those tetras are happier in larger groups - I'm not sure where the claim that they should be kept in 3s originated from that every pet store repeats it! Personally I'd increase the numbers of your current fish rather than adding another small school of neons.

 

[Chillfish]

White skirts and black skirts are the same species (white is the morph) so they should school together. Skirt tetras and red eye tetras would destroy neons eventually if not right away. I wont comment on school size because that usually is subjective, but with aggressive fish that school like the species you have, the lower the number is, the more likely it is that individual fish will get singled out and bullied. As for final stocking numbers there is no way too say a definite number of fish, I have always suggested people consider, are the nitrates manageable, do the fish look cramped and stressed, and finally do the fish look too big for the tank? Looking cramped or too big is completely up to you because you'll be the one watching the tank.