help for my dads tank please

[jen54]

I am setting up a small 36 liter (10 gal) tank for my elderly dad who has mild dementia. I took him to the lfs and he fell in love with the silver tip tetras. My question is can I have just 3 of these and 3 neon tetras - will they shoal together? I don't think I should have more than 6 altogether but I know my mum will prefer the coloured neons.

 

[MJSerik]

Just asking, can someone take care of them safely?

 

[jen54]

Just asking, can someone take care of them safely?

No probs there. My mum is ok and I only live round the corner and will be doing the water changes etc.

 

[ArtistGardener]

I think you could put five of each in there if you added some living plants--even low light plants like hornwort or java moss. Make sure the filter is rated for a 20 gallon tank--and cycle it first. Good luck.

 

[Masha]

I happen to have 3 silvertips in my 10 gallon quarantine tank at the moment, waiting to go into my main tank.

It might just be these ones but they are noticeably more shy and hide more in a small group like that. I think you might be better off with a slightly higher number of the same kind, rather than 3 of one and 3 of another.

They are a good choice though, lively and hardy. Just be aware that in a small tank like that, they can get a little nippy toward other fish

 

[Rivercats]

Silver tipped tetras are very nice fish but they can indeed be nippy especially in smaller tanks.

 

[jen54]

Silver tipped tetras are very nice fish but they can indeed be nippy especially in smaller tanks.

Will they nip the neons?

 

[Masha]

Not sure about neons in particular, but the more silvertips you have, the less likely they will be to nip.

 

[jen54]

Thanks everyone for all the help. This has helped a lot.

 

[Masha]

Let us know how it works out. Great idea to do something like this for your dad.