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Just to introduce everyone to my current situation: I have a planted 10 gal. tank that has already been cycled. I plan on putting 1 American Flag Fish in the tank along with one small school of schooling fish. I am waiting for my LFS to get in the American Flag Fish it ordered for me before I put anything else in the tank (should be about 2 weeks), but I'm just doing a little research ahead of time...and thankfully so.

Okay. So I've decided NOT to go with the Black Skirt Tetras. I was contemplating whether or not I should go w/ the Rosy Tetra but I called around and no one had it in. Then I came across the Black Phantom Tetra! I think these guys would be PERFECT in my tank not only because of their size and temperament but because of their color! The silver and black will look great in my vibrant tank.

So, my question: The female American Flag Fish gets to be 2.2 in. full grown and the Phantom Tetras have an adult size of 1.3 in. According to the common 1 inch per gallon rule I suppose I could keep 6 Phantoms with 1 American Flag Fish in my 10 gal...though I realize it's cutting it VERY close. What does everyone think of this idea??

I think it's too close. Phantoms are still big for tetras. Flagfish will enjoy friends.

Personally I don't think schooling fish belong in a 10g period. Maybe the smallest of tetras like neons would be ok but these fish would still do lots better in at least a 20g long where you can also increase the size of the school. Usually the smaller the fish size of schooling fish the more of their number they prefer to have around. A 10g is best suited to a species tank or a mix of 2-3 non schooling, small, peaceful species.

Any size per gallon rule is bogus.

Sorry but I think that would be overstocked as well.

The inch per gallon rule is a very general guideline. Other things that have to be taken into consideration are filtration, frequency & amount of water changes, live or fake plants.

As far as keeping them together, everthing I've read says males will become agressive towards each other; either a pair or trio is recommended.

To go with your original idea it's probably best to look for a smaller schooling fish. There are other tetras available as well as some very small barbs that you can see & read about [link=here]http://www.azgardens.com/schooling_fish.php" style="COLOR: #CC3366[/link].

Good luck

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Theresa_M:

Thanks for your reply! A trio or pair of what? I was a little confused by this suggestion. Thanks again!

trio of flagfish.