Colombian Tetras...love these things...

[parker002]

It's a rarity. Not only did I catch all 11 of them schooling this morning, but they continued doing it long enough for me to go get the camera and snap a photo.

[Suzie Q (Lori)]

Awesome!!!

[sammiesam]

that's a great photo, what camera do you use?

[parker002]

It's a Sony Cyber Shot DSC-TX10.

[sammiesam]

Oh wow I would have never guessed. Not too shabby for a point n shoot.

[billg71]

They're gorgous, how do they get along with other tetras? I'm gonna feature a big shoal of Cardinals but read these can be aggressive, think they'd get along together?

Great shot, BTW.

Best,
Bill

[parker002]

Everybody I talk to gasps in horror when I say I have 11 Colombians and 4 angels. They're apparently pretty notorious for being aggressive fin nippers but I've never had any issues with mine.

[Carl]

Jun 3, 2012 21:42:36 GMT -5 parker002 said:

Everybody I talk to gasps in horror when I say I have 11 Colombians and 4 angels. They're apparently pretty notorious for being aggressive fin nippers but I've never had any issues with mine.

This is the reason why I do not post any compatibility charts, nor every have since I have found so many exceptions to "rules of compatibility".
Tank size, feeding, decoration, even lighting & health, fish numbers withing species, along with fish personalities ALL play a role in how certain fish may or may not get along.

Regards;
Carl

[parker002]

This seems to be something they're more prone to do early in the morning...

[sammiesam]

tetras always remind me of little bulldogs with their undercut jaw like mouths. I think they are cute. I have found that the worst offenders I've kept over the years are the silvertip tetras, they caused me alot of frustration, they were really big bully fish. But neons and cardinals have always been pretty calm for me.

[parker002]

These Colombians have a slightly different mouth from other similarly-built tetras (white/black skirt, serpae, black phantom). These guys actually have teeny-tiny teeth. They look a bit like a piranha up close.

[Carl]

These guys actually have teeny-tiny teeth. They look a bit like a piranha up close.

That's what makes these fish so cool!!

Your Colombian Tetras are really top-notch IMO

Carl

[parker002]

Well, I'll be perfectly honest - I wouldn't be where I'm at today without you, Carl. You've given me a wealth of knowledge in such a short time and my fish are healthy and vibrant because of it. Thanks!

[goldenpuon]

Your tetras are gorgeous Parker! Excellent picture!

Renee

[babygeige]

That's a great shot of the tetras! I have a hard time getting clear ones of mine. They're so active. I usually have the best luck in the evening, shortly before the light goes out.

I've read that they have a reputation for being nippy and aggressive. I'm parker would agree with me when I say they are not at all mean fish! I have 10 in my tank with 1 angel, 6 cories, 1 SAE, and a pleco. I haven't had any issues either. Sometimes I think a tetra will make my angel mad and he'll attempt to nip at one, but he's not fast enough to do anything.

billg71, from what I've read, they'd probably be ok with other tetras. I wouldn't put them with any slow moving fish, or fish that get stressed easily. Colombians are active, zippy fish. Keep them as a group, like parker and I do. It keeps them from picking on other species. However, I've never had them with any other mid-water fish, so I can't speak to the compatibility personally. What size tank are you dealing with?

I briefly had some harlequin rasboras in this tank. The tetras didn't even notice the rasboras. I had to remove them because the angel did notice and bullied them until 1 was dead. (I've got one rasbora left. He lives in my 10 gallon with a bunch of shrimp and 2 white clouds. I think the rasbora now believes it's a white cloud. Those 3 are so funny together!)

[parker002]

I have small Pristella tetras in my tank as well as glo lite tetras (red neons basically) and neither of them are bothered by the Colombians.