Tropical Fish Forums

[Lily]

I have a 90 litre tank with 9 Cardinals who occupy the bottom third of the tank, 5 male Endlers, 6 Neon yellow Rasboras Microrasbora kubotai and a few odd fish that are left from previous shoals, occupy the top half.

I'm in the process of cycling a 48 litre tank and intend to put the small guys, Endlers, Neon Yellows and most of the Oldies in there.

So I'm looking for a slightly bigger Tetra to swim in the top half of the tank I did think of Penguin Tetras, but I've recently been reading that they can be aggressive so wondered what other Tetras keep to the top. I don't want my Cardinals to be upset as I've had them for nearly 3 years and they are such great fish.

Any suggestions please

[Flame Angel]

Are you only looking at tetras, or would you consider other fish too?

There are plenty of options:
-hatchet fish (kind of boring IMO though)
-killies
-gouramis (not sure how well most species would fit into your tank however...)
-a type of danio could go well
-some species of pencil fish
-rasboras: Harlequins would be my pick out of any fish for your tank. They are similar to tetras but generally more active, if kept in a group. They are very interesting and attractive fish.

Although having said that, if all you had in the tank was two groups of fish (the cardinals and the harlequins), it might look odd. You could put some small fish in (say, guppies) and then add a 'feature fish', such as a betta.

[coryfan]

I used to have black neon tetras and they were always in the upper level of the tank. They didn't provide much swimming action though. Kind of just hovered in one spot all the time. Very colorful and peaceful.

[diademhill]

Black neons typically occupy the lower half of a tank.

For the upper half I would try pencilfish or pristellas but harlequins are hard to beat.

[The Baron]

I have Red Eye tetras, and they are always at the top.
Bloodfin tetras are close behind.

Dan

[Brenda24]

I now have 8 of these little guys in my 40 gallon and they pretty much stick to themselves - darting all around the tank. Fun to watch them.

[Flame Angel]