Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've just gotten home and I think I might have an interesting mix going on in my tank. I've got a singular Pristella tetra that seems to be schooling with a group of 18 Rosy tetras - will that be okay for the Pristella? I'm planning on doing a full fish update soon, complete with pictures, but I've just made an observation that's got me curious - I think one of the 'Rosy' tetras might actually be a different type of tetra altogether.

It probably got in with the Rosies when you purchased them. I've got a similar setup with six in my tank, they're part of a Rummy group. They're pretty independent, often wandering off on their own and then rejoining the Rummy's to school. If you don't plan on getting more or rehoming that one, it'll likely be alright, at least better than some other species.

It should be alright, though.

I've noticed that tetras tend to prefer the company of their own kind, but in the absence of that, they'll often school with others that share similar characteristics, like shape. Pristellas and rosies are similar enough that it should work out okay in this case.

bettaMagenta wrote: ↑Mon Oct 24, 2022 2:52 pm It probably got in with the Rosies when you purchased them. I've got a similar setup with six in my tank, they're part of a Rummy group. They're pretty independent, often wandering off on their own and then rejoining the Rummy's to school. If you don't plan on getting more or rehoming that one, it'll likely be alright, at least better than some other species.

If I'm not planning on getting more or rehoming the lone pristella, it'll probably be alright... at least better than some other scenarios.

I'll have some photos up in about 5-10 minutes. I picked up the whole tank of rosies, which turned out to be 18 of them and one pristella. The shop didn't have a separate pristella tank that I recall, so I'm guessing they got it by mistake from their supplier. Either they didn't notice or didn't mention it.

Giving it away isn't really an option for me. I don't know anyone locally with aquariums, and the only LFS nearby is pretty unreliable - they're more into rabbits than fish. Not a place I'd trust with even the hardiest fish.

I might consider getting more pristellas down the line, once my 280L tank is up and running. My 54L QT is already at max capacity, so that's not an option for now.

I'm sorting through my clear photos and I'll post them on this thread.

graye wrote: ↑Mon Oct 24, 2022 7:52 pm It should be alright, though.

It'll be fine, although searching for its own kind.

The finnage on those two tetras is quite distinct, different colours and patterns. It'll likely be alright, but in my opinion, there'll be some underlying stress. If you were to introduce its own kind, I reckon it'd leave the rosies and join its own group.

sidthy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 25, 2022 11:01 pm The finnage on those two tetras is quite distinct, different colours and patterns. It'll likely be alright, but in my opinion, there'll be some underlying stress. If you were to introduce its own kind, I reckon it'd leave the rosies and join its own group.

My previous response was taking into account the OP's current situation and limitations.

Not the best photos, but more to come tomorrow when the tank lights are back on. They all appear to be happy and healthy so far - my eyes aren't exactly trained, but they seem fine.

BadgersSong wrote: ↑Tue Oct 25, 2022 1:39 am I've noticed that tetras tend to prefer the company of their own kind, but in the absence of that, they'll often school with others that share similar characteristics, like shape. Pristellas and rosies are similar enough that it should work out okay in this case.

I've been keeping an eye on the new additions, and I'm really enjoying the pristella tetra so far. Once the QT is empty and they're with my hengels rasboras in the 280L, I'd definitely consider getting more of its kind if there's still room for more schooling or upper to midwater fish.

I'm thinking of ordering fish online once my QT is free. I want to get some more hengels to add to my group of 12, and maybe a golden ancistrus, possibly some catfish, but I'm not entirely sure about that. If I do, then I could get some more pristellas to keep it company. I reckon I could fit 10 hengels and 10 pristellas in the 54L QT, for example.

We'll see how it goes. I can ask online, but I don't think a fish keeper would drive an hour or more to collect a single pristella tetra, even if I gave it a good home for free. I do like the idea of getting some more, though - they'd look lovely with my hengels rasboras.