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Hey all, I recently set up my 10 gallon tank, I let it cycle for 2 weeks, added 2 guppies and within a month after that added 5 neons. This is at capacity and i won't be adding anything else.. I have had a tank for many years, but first time with neons.. My question is, in this tank, these fish don't school at all. Thay all have found their place in the tank, they bascially stay in their own individual spot all day, and if another neon comes into their territory they chase it for a bit then head right back to their spot. Is this normal. They are very colorful and seem to school whenever i turn on/shut off the lights or feed, but other then that they stay to themselves.

Hi,
Normally they do school and with five I would think that
they would be. A reason why could be water quality.
Check the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings
along with the pH, GH, and KH.
Of course the ammonia and nitrite should be zero and the
nitrate should not be higher than 5 to 10.

Check the plants and light. Too much light (too many
watts per gallon) will drive them into hiding or sitting
under any overhead "protection" from predators. This
would leave them sitting much as you describe.

I would use some floating plants that would be allowed
to eventually, almost, cover the surface of the tank.
That would lower the brightness of the light, give them
a feeling of security, and at the same time help manage
the nitrate reading of the tank (floating plants take up
the nitrogen, which we then throw away with the excess
plants).

Lastly, with a 10G tank, and neons, you could easily
add another five to the tank and not stress it.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Wow, thanks for replying so quick. I think the water quality is fine. I have heard of Tetras not schooling if they are happy, maybe that is it. I have recently added a brighter wattage bulb, was told it will help the live plants i have in there.

The reason I only have 5 neons is because i also have 2 guppys, i don't want more than 7 fish in a 10 gallon, would be too crowded in my opinion.

Thanks for your help.. Maybe i'll put a few plans on top to dim the light a little?

I had 6 neons in my 55 gal toward the end of my new tank cycle. They rarely schooled. Even now, after almost a year, and lots of other fish in the tank with them (Angels, Barbs, and Yo-yo's) they rarely school. I think in larger numbers they may become a more tightly knit group, but not in a group of 6 or less... Then again they don't seem unhappy with the set up either. They do congregate every once in a while.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

scottg173

I have a 45lt with a lot more than 5 Cardinal Tetras I would not say they actually school but do move around in a group. The tank is very heavily planted and this allows me to push the limits up.
The tank also has Cherry Red Shrimps and 4 Khuli Loaches.
I do a 15lt water change Sat or Sun plus a 5lt mid week.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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Keithgh, do the Khulis ever bother the Cardinals? I just think that if the Tetras are in a larger group and have at least one fish to agitate the group... That they will perform more like a school. You know, large mass, hard to hit a single target? Sorta like how they show sardines schooling for protection from dolphins on nature shows. Just a thought.

P.S. I could have the type of fish and the predator completely wrong. But you should get my line of thought.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

Kelly
Khuli Loaches
The Khuli's are extremely peaceful and never worry the Cardinal Tetras at all.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith


Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Hey all, thanks for the replies. I am beginning to think the light is too bright for them. I have a bright florecent light that the guy at petco told me i should get because i am using real plants. It seem during the day if i don't put the light on and just let the sunlight in, they do swin around a bit more ( these neons seem to hate each other, they chase one another like crazy) lol, any ideas of how many watts i should use with 5 neons and 2 guppies in my 10 gallon?

Keith and original poster....just to point out, FP.com also has a profile on the kuhli loach.. http://fishprofiles.com/profiles/freshwater/Catfish_Bottom_Feeders/Pangio_kuhlii/

This may seem a bit funny but with my guys it seemed that at 5 or 6 they didn't really school all that well but when there were 8 or 9 they seemed to school more. Afraid I dunno about the lighting. I've always heard they prefer dim lighting but then again I really never had strong lights on that tank.

As I mentioned previously I have a large number of Cardinals in my 45lt tank.
I would say they have never schooled (by that I mean in a tight group) and they always move as one.
They at most times are in a group/s.

I have two lights one plant and one daylight tube.

The tank is very heavily planted and they do prefer a dimmer light of what the plants provide.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW