Scaping for tetras

[shoggoth43]

I've got a small school of cardinals. The problem is they're all cowards. There's 13 of them in the tank and they're always buried in the plants. The 11 black neons have no problems and readily hang out above the plants.

So, does anyone have any pics of 'scapes where they have cardinals which are out and about so I can copy some of those ideas? Is it possible the black neons are intimidating the cardinals into hiding? Other than the cardinals and tetras the only other critters are some corys and shrimp.

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S

 

[Gerryd]

Hi s,

I have kept both of these before with no issues....I doubt the black neons are harassing them, but should be easy to spot..........

I have found that cards are more hiders than other schoolers.

I have >250 with just a few espei pencils and they spend a good amount of the day in the plant thickets.

A good number patrol the tank at any given time, but a good amount like to stay hidden........

I think because they are a basic food fish for other predators in their native environment that they may do this as a survival technique, but again I could be all wet.......

I have seen tanks where there are no thickets and the fish school out in the open, but I don't think they like it as much if they had a choice.

Hope this helps.

 

[shoggoth43]

Well, it doesn't really help as such since I'd like to see them without cramming the tank full of them, but it does at least confirm that it's a common issue so at least I don't have to wonder what's going on with them.

Thanks for the input! Now on to the next WTH question with that tank...

-
S

 

[Tom Barr]

Try more open types of tank layouts, eg, not a dense dutch style.
I find they do better when alone also and if they have good temps(80-81F or higher), good feeding AND FOOD, current etc.

Mine are big, fat and vibrant color.

They school at night and during the day, they sometimes all go into the weeds, but hang out for the most part and school over the tops of plants.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

I certainly do not recommend cramming the tank full of them or any species.......

I was just describing my conditions for comparison purposes.

My black neons tended to swim in the mid to upper levels and my cards over the years tend to the mid to bottom layers.

I do have lots of plants and would see them more if I had less plants, but there is plenty of open space for swimming.

I feel that this way they can go where they want.

I personally think that with the more open scaping they school more for protection.

You may notice at the LFS that most fish are great schoolers and you may also notice there is nothing in the tank except for gravel and maybe a skull or something for scaping.