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My friend just brought me 6 flame tetras (she knew i wanted 6 tetras of some sort, and she decided she'd get me some...there is no fathoming what runs though that girl's head. Anyways...). They range in size from a x-ray tetra size at the largest and a small neon tetra size as the smallest. I was wondering if the little ones will remain midgets or if they will grow to the same size as the rest. There's just the six of them in a ten gal, but is that not enough space for them to be able to grow?

They should all grow to their full size, unless something extreme has happened to them. Pet stores can have varying sizes of a species of fish, even if they all came in the same batch. It's common for tetras to vary a centimeter or two in size from each other in a store tank.

As for your tank, it should be just fine as long as you aren't overstocked. Flame tetras don't get very large at all.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

The flame tetras should be fine in the 10 gallon tank, and won't grow much larger than the largest you have now. They will probably vary in sizes a little bit, but you should notice some growth in the little ones in a few weeks. They grow to be a little larger than cardinals.

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

Bill the Cat,

I completely agree with the two previous posters, most likely they will be just of different age.

I am really responding because I would like you to introduce me to your friend. I am planning to set up a large tank in the near future and I certainly could use a friend like her. It was very nice of her to buy you the fishies.

Ingo

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 24-Aug-2005 14:12

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Many times fish are like humans varying in size from juvenile to adulthood. They should all end up around the same size in 6 months to a year

Flame tetras are one of the cooler Tetras IMO

Flame tetras will generally not remain small for long , even in small aquaria, they mature fairly quickly and their adult size is not that huge anyway, being only a few cm's. Fish staying small because they are put into small tanks is a total myth anyway, the reason is not the size of the tank , rather the suboptimal conditions the fish is labouring under- this slows growth- and thats if your lucky because fish under those conditions usually die outright.

Dwarfing occurs because of dominant fish outcompeting the smaller fish for food and ruining its life quality with aggression and control. Its potential for growth is only temporarily stemmed, not stopped. Unsuitably low temperatures , lack of its own territorial space when competitors are present ,lack of adequate nutrition , and even parasite loads can have a bearing on size.

Smaller fish will grow if the dominant fish dies. 99% of aquarists usually find that if they overstock fish when small they are forced to buy larger tanks eventually, give the fish away (never assume that zoos , rescues or other people will want your fish) or more commonly they simply die as water quality becomes an issue,or as territorial attacks become more frequent. Another myth is that overstocking reduces territorial agression- it usually only ever does so temporarily- its often easy to see fish in shoals hundreds strong at dealers, but the only reason they dont fight is because their behaviour is completely destabilised, by the constant movement around the tank because of customers and attendants, and because theyre not in the tank long enough to form territories.

In crowded conditions, after a few months territorial behaviour will return, often with devastating results as suboordinate fish wane and die by the dozen. Just because there are no dead fish in your dealers tanks , dont assume there isnt a freezer or dustbin out back full to the brim. Either that or a very happy arowana lurking in a tank somewhere.

Having said that i dont think you will have too many issues as flame tetras are pretty, easy to keep, relatively peaceful, and they dont grow large. They do enjoy dark coloured substrates and plenty of cover so a few plants and some black gravel wouldnt go amiss, a bit of live food often stimulates breeding. Worry not and enjoy.



Last edited by longhairedgit at 25-Aug-2005 09:35

One other thing -- they prefer temperatures a bit lower than the majority of tetras. Namely, about 72 deg F (22 deg C).

Oh, and I'll throw in some hints and tips too.

Flame Tetras have gorgeous colours - but need certain management features to get the best out of them. The sort of policy that works with Lemons (see my article - shameless plug ) should work even better with Flame Tets, because they have a fair amount of red pigmentation, and colour foods are loaded with carotenoids that are converted to red pigments with ease in fishes. Alternate live feedings with varied flakes, including a colour food, and in a few weeks you should have some little jewels. Watch those Flame Tets break out into big beaming smiles when you drop live Daphnia or Bloodworm in the aquarium with them!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002