Elmer’s Aquarium Community Tank Ideas Tank Size: 10 gal or more
H ardy Tetra Community Aquarium
Why Keep Them? This community is our most popular community tank for beginners with tanks of 10 to 30 gallons. Tetras represent a large group of fish, and many of them make great choices for a beginner’s community tank. Many tetras are active, colorful, hardy and get along well with other tank mates.
Housing: This community tank is suitable for tanks of 10 gallon and up. Filtration can include an AquaClear power filter with a supplemental air pump and sponge filter. They like to swim in the middle water layers. Provide some bushy plants (live or plastic) toward the rear of the tank, and leave the front open for swimming. Water Conditions: Temperature 74-80. pH- (6.6-7.2) Use Seachem Neutral Regulator with each partial water change.
Live Plants: Live plants are highly recommended for this community, but not required. Live plants will help bring out the best coloration and behavior in these fish as well as maintain optimal tank conditions.
Feeding: Feed this community two to three small feedings per day. Feed flakes, small pellets, and some assorted frozen foods such as mysis shrimp for the most nutrition.
How Many? Tetras, Danios, Rasboras, Barbs, Moons and Swordtails are schooling fish and should be bought in groups of at least 3 or more.
Tank Mates: Choose other fish of similar size and temperament. Our staff can help you find them in our store.
Tetras: Black Skirt Tetra, White Skirt Tetra, Serpae Tetra, Glowlight Tetra, Flame Von Rio Tetra, Bleeding Heart Tetra, Pristella Tetra, Black Phantom Tetra, Red Phantom Tetra, Silver Tip Tetra, Red Eye Tetra, Gold Tetra, Diamond Tetra, Emperor Tetra, GloFish Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Head & Tail Light Tetra, Rasboras: Harlequin Rasbora, Brilliant Rasbora, Scissortail Rasbora. Small Barbs: Cherry Barb, Gold Barb, Checkered Barb. Danios: Zebra Danio, Pearl Danio. Livebearers: Platies, Swordtails. Catfish: Corydoras Cat, Bristlenose Plecostomus, small Synodontis Cats, most other small cats. Loaches: Kuhli Loach, small Botias, Weather Loach, Small Clown Loach, Crimson Loach, Peppered Loach, and most other small loaches. Top Dwellers: Golden Wonder Killie, Others: Dwarf African Frog, Nerite Snail. Fish we left out: Here are some fish we kept out of the list above because either they may be too small and calm to compete with the more active tetras, or they are not very “beginner friendly”. Cardinal Tetra, Neon Tetra, Rummynose Tetra, Hatchetfish, Emerald Rasbora, Ram Cichlids, Galaxy Rasbora.
If you have a big enough tank (30 gal up) Here are some fish you may be able to put in this community that may not work in smaller tanks. These may include small Red Tail Sharks, Pearl Gouramis, Blue Gouramis, Gold Gouramis, Roseline Shark, Small Angelfish, Kribensis Cichlid.
Elmer’s Aquarium 4005 William Penn Hwy. Monroeville, Pa. 15146 412-372-6535 www.elmersaquarium.com Established 1969