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Hi there,
an acquaintance of mine just bought
3 red phantom tetra, as is wondering
about them - how big do they get,
are they nippy, what size group should they
be kept in, are they compatible with dwarf gourami
or betta?
She bought them for her 10g, along with 3 lemons,
even though I told her no less than 5 of one
species.
She is aware of appropriate stocking levels and the tank is
getting more and more planted over time.
I have never heard of nor seen red phantoms and
the info I could find was sketchy to say the least.
Thanks All!


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Are the betta and gourami in the same tank?
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Megalamphodus_sweglesi.php
Hope this helps.

10gallon: 8neons 5gallon: 1betta
1oto
2platys

Hyphessobrycon sweglesi reaches about four centimeters in length, and is in most respects similar to the black phantom tetra. They aren't known for being very nippy apart from their internal squabbles, and are good community fish. They school, so your acquaintance would do well getting more of them (and the lemons). They are compatible with both the betta and the gourami, but the tank would be better off with just two tetra schools, or one school and a labyrinth fish.

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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."

Did you say it was a 10 gallon?

10gallon: 8neons 5gallon: 1betta
1oto
2platys

yes, it is a 10g tank.
No she is just debating the gourami or
betta idea at this time.
I am trying to talk her into just
upping each school to 5.
I will pass on any info to her via email!
Thanks for your replies, any more info
would be helpful too.


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Even with 5 of each the 10 gallon is going to be overstocked. I would suggest your friend limit it to one or the other, but not both. Even that is going to make a 10 gallon a bit overstocked.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Hi There,
I had already told her such before she
went and purchased 3 of each tetra.
The tank is fairly heavily planted, and she
does water changes once a week.
The filter is some whisper 200 I think?
I dont know whisper filters.
She is refusing to choose one or the other
ugh

Come Play Yahtzee With Me!
http://games.atari.com
Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames

I would just advise her to go with what she has then and not add any more to their numbers.

Jim

---

Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

I have two Red Phantoms and they are great fish. They are in a tank with my betta and I have never seen any problems between the two. Phantoms will pair up (like Rams...weird eh?) and they are loyal to each other. Anywho they are beautiful fish...

EXTREMELY mild-mannered fish -- in fact, among the more timid tetras in my experience (totally unlike the nippy Serpae Tetra, which they so strongly resemble physically). Also, I don't think they're quite as delicate as a lot of the books suggest, although they do prefer clean water -- which means your friend may well run into trouble in that respect.

One other possible problem: I keep reading that they prefer water a bit cooler than your average tropical fish -- about 72 deg F (22 C) -- whereas Bettas prefer water a bit warmer than the average Tropical (80 deg F, or 27 C). However, my experience with both fish leads me to think that they can both get along OK if you split the difference temperature-wise at 76 or 77 deg F.