What do you think?

Question

I've had guppies for quite a while now, and I thought if mabe i should get some neon tetras ( in a separate tank ). So what do you think- should I stick to the guppies, or get neon tetras, why?
I know all the general information about both types of fish, and would like to hear tips out of experience, and reasons for should I or shouldn't I move to neons.
Thanks ahead
-Liza

P.S- I know that Noen Tetras are more difficult to take care of than guppies, and that's one of the reasons I'm interested in getting them.

Answer 1

If your tank is large enough, you can safely house the two together.

Neons are not any more difficult to take care of than guppies, but, due to all the inbreeding and mass producing, they are not nearly as hardy as the guppies. Any illness or ammonia/nitrite problems, your neons will be the first to show signs of sickness.

Little known fact - guppies don't need aquarium salt. I've got mine in 100% freshwater. No salt. They've had babies (and the babies are in 100% freshwater, too), haven't had any problems with illness, and seem to be happy little campers. If you have salt in the water, try slowly acclimating them to an all fresh tank (when you do your water changes, slowly lower the amount of marine salt you add to the tank until you're adding just fresh water). If you've never added salt to your guppies, disregard all of this.

You know your guppies need to be kept in a 2:1 female to male ratio, right? Neons aren't like that. They need to be kept in groups of six or more, but the male to female ratio doesn't matter (in fact, I still have no clue how to tell males and females with neons). Neons show awesome color when kept in large groups, and sometimes they'll even divy up into two smaller groups, but when threatened, will always go back to one group.

Just make sure you have plenty of plant coverage (either real or fake) and plenty of hiding places, as they may feel the need to hide for the first couple of days. They'll eat the same food as your guppies, and may appreciate live or frozen food from time to time.

Keep your temp at around 78 degrees (same as your guppies) to ward off any bacteria and fungi.

You may lose a couple over the years, but don't get discouraged. Chances are, it's nothing you've done, but rather the result of the mass producing. Just keep up with weekly water changes, and keep your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH levels in check, and you'll be fine.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I think both are absolutey fine. Neon's are pretty and have a different personality than guppies. Personally-I like the tetra's. Guppies are great but there's something pretty about the neon tetras.

As for mixing them in the same tank-I know of people who've had them together and they did fine as long as they weren't outnumbered by guppies. (which we ALL know breed like crazy) But, most breeds of Tetras will normally nibble on the guppies. Also, they like different types of water-tetras prefer soft acid water and guppies like their water a little harder.

Here's what we've done when we're thinking of a new type of fish-invest in a smaller "test" tank and set it up for the type of fish you want. Get 3 or 4 of the breed you want and see if you like them...if you can handle it and the tank is big enough-get some more. That way, you don't waste a lot of money if it doesn't work out...and you can readjust the water and tank contents to test a new breed.

Have fun.

Answer 3

If you have a large enough tank you don't have to worry about keeping them seperate. I'm not sure why you want them in a different tank, because you didn't say.

Neons aren't too hard to take care of, they're just a little less hardy and because of their size you have to worry about keeping the temperature of the tank stable.

If you're thinking of completely switching to neons, make sure to find someone to take your guppies, unless you put them in the same tank and then you could just wait for the guppies to eventually die. Also remember that neons aren't livebearers and are harder to breed, so if that's what you're going for be prepared.

Answer 4

I had alot of different fish in a tank once we had guppies tetras, and a lot of others like a pink kissing fish and alot of others we still have those but now i have a foot and a half long shark. The shark is in a different tank. A huge tank.

Answer 5

well its realy amatter of prefrance guppies are cool cuase they have lots of babies so youll always have plunty,neons on the other hand are alot prettyer but are very fragle when it comes to tem 5 degres one way or another can kill them try getn abig tank and get neons and guppies. best of both worlds. i have a 75gal with 13 neons,3 black neons,1 guppy,2 plecos,1apple snail,and about 14 other different tetras.fun stuff! i say go wild either way it realy is just a matter of preferance