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Tetra Tankmates?

2K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  NickAu 
#1 ·
Hey guys!
I’ve been researching tetras for betta tank mates after getting a new ten gallon. If Luc (The betta) Will permit it, I have two pairs of endlers to be added soon.
I’ve heard a lot of yes and no from people about tetras with bettas. What are your opinions?

My tank is a ten gallon filtered, heated at 76 and almost cycled. It has lots of plants and Luc is the only inhabitant.
 
#2 ·
Depends on your water is it soft or hard? Contrary to popular opinion this is actually important.

Studies on the effects of calcium (as in hard water) on cardinal tetras carried out in the 1980's proved that the more calcium in the water, the shorter the lifespan of soft water fish. The fish lived for several years with no sign of any issue; but upon death they were dissected and found to have died from calcium blockage of the kidneys
 
#3 ·
Soft, but I’ve been adding small amounts of coral daily to get it up to something more steady. That’s very interesting, though. I take it tetras like soft water?
 
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#5 ·
Gottcha. And would certain species not be as nippy as others, say Neon tetras?
Thanks for the info, Nick. I appreciate it. Is that your betta in your profile pic?
 
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#8 ·
No idea to be honest,

Yes his name is Ossie.


And this bundle of joy is Terror
Aww! So cute! I love the colors and the plants look amazing! What do you primarily have in there? o.o so green...

From what I've read, ember tetras seem like the safest option, as I don't believe they have such a propensity for nippiness. Keeping tetras in appropriately sized groups (at least six individuals) also seems to reduce nippy behavior.
Okay, cool. I’lll proably go for a school of ember tetras then and some endlers.
Thanks!!
 
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#9 ·
+1 on Ember Tetra. They are much more peaceful than Neon. I have semi-hard water water and no problem keeping Ember Tetra (or Neons or Green Neons). I looked back at my order information and a majority are 3+ years old. There are a few species of Tetra that are from hard water regions like Pristella maxillaris (X-Ray Tetra) and Blind Cave Tetra; but they are not readily available to the average aquarist.
 
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