Neon Tetra & Bronze Cory School Size Suggestions

[Kimb]

Hello! I have a 75 Gallon tank with 3 Silver Dollars and one Rubber Lip Pleco. Now that my oscar is dead, I'd like to change my tank more towards a schooling tank.

I'm leaning towards filling out my tank with Neon Tetras and Bronze Corys (and maybe one or two more Silver Dollars ~ there used to be 6). I'd like to have as many tetras as possible, but I don't want to leave my other fish lonely. I have a few questions:

1. What size schools would you suggest?

2. I don't use a light for my tank, just the lighting in the room, will I still be able to see the neons well?

3. Do you have a better suggestion for my main school of fish given what I said?

Thanks in advance, I'm new to the idea of keeping dozens of fish and even though I've kept fish for years, I feel like a newbie.

 

[lauraf]

Hi Kimb:
How big are your silver dollars currently?

 

[Deltrunner]

I have 20 neon tetras and I just love them...If I had the size of your tank, I would get alot. When my tank light is off, i really cant see them but then again I do not have room lights where my tank is.

 

[Newman]

maybe around 8-10 cories. they dont always school, but they are social. (they will school more when first added just like other fish)

 

[misterking]

I always found their blue showed up especially well with just room lights on. I'd do a big school of neons.. perhaps 20-30. I'd probably up your silver dollars to 6 again and as newman said I think 8-10 cories would be good. If you want more cories then perhaps 20 neons and 12-15 cories?

Just out of interest, why do you not use a light?

 

[Kimb]

My SDs are full grown, about 4.5 inches. The pleco is new and is about 1.5 -2 inches.

I don't know the precise reason I put the light away in storage all those years ago. I know that my fish wouldn't swim nearly as much as when it was off. I think it might be broken too (although that could just be the bulb). Plus, the tank's in my bedroom and one of its purposes is to provide background noise when I'm going to sleep. I'm not fond of the idea of having a light on all day in my bedroom. If you think it's important enough, I could dust it off and see if it annoys me.

 

[lauraf]

I'm just wondering if neons might not become snacks for the silver dollars . . . so if you do neons, a bigger shoal will better protect them. And as mentioned above would look awesome!

 

[Kimb]

I hadn't thought of that.

Do people have problems with Silver Dollars eating fish? They have itty bitty mouths ~ you should see them try to eat peas *laughingc !

Also, I was surprised to see such big groups of corys. I was picturing around 5. Is that normal to have closer to 10?

 

[bassbonediva]

I'm going to have 8 in my 55gal and if I had more space, I'd have more. They are happiest in large groups (the bigger the better). When I finally get the huge tank I want (280gal+), I'm going to have at least 15-20 of the little guys.

 

[misterking]

I'm pretty sure (edging to certain) that I've read silver dollars are herbivorous. I wouldn't think there'd be any problem there.

 

[lauraf]

I'm pretty sure (edging to certain) that I've read silver dollars are herbivorous. I wouldn't think there'd be any problem there.

You are correct, MK, they are primarily herbivores, but I've still read tales of larger ones chomping their way through schools of smaller tetras. Not always - the neons could be fine, it's just a word of caution.

 

[ValRasbora]

I've had itty bitty neons with quite big swordtails (4-5") with no problems. It should be fine.