I don't know, I bought eight, I was down to three at one point, and now have about 15. They have never shoaled, they've always splintered into the jungle, where they hold pretty much motionless in their spot.Someone told me that ruby tetra would hide all the time but i can always find 15 or 20 of them in there so not sure why others think they hide.
Same for me, I'm pretty sure it is the fish, some of mine are deep red with prominent pale blue flash, and others are much paler all around.Mrs google suggest it has to do with lighting and not the actual fish - interesting because some of them have a whole lot of blue.