Mixing Hyphessobrycon spp.

[bseitz234]

Hi all-

I've got room for a few more tetras in my community tank, and was wondering if anyone has experience mixing related tetras. Most of the questions I've found online have been about mixing neons, rummies, and serpae, which I know to be pretty different. I have a bunch of H. columbianus, and am wondering whether it makes more sense to get more of the same, or add another Hyphessobrycon species (specifically AquaticClarity's H. haroldschultzi, but for future reference also possibly serpae, von rio, etc) for some more color. Any ideas?

Thanks!
-Brian

 

[Mike Wise]

IMHO if you have less than 6 H. columbianus, then add more. Otherwise I see no problem adding another species - if you have the room for 6 more fish. I have kept both the Red Fin Blue (H. columbianus) and the Belgium Flag (H. herterorahabdus). I don't think I'd be comfortable keeping them together in anything but a large tank, 55 gallons or more. The Red Fin Blue is twice the size of the Flag and quite 'busy'. My Flags were more sedate, like neons.

 

[bseitz234]

Thanks for the input, Mike! Sounds like they would co-habitate, but not necessarily intermingle. More Red and Blues it is!