Cardinal Tetra Vs. Rummy Nose Tetra

[nbk8s4b]

Which one is better? Is Rummy Nose too busy or active for Discus? I used to have Cardinal Tetra but they seemed to be afraid of Discus and behaved in a very shy way.
Thanks.

[Keith Perkins]

I've had both in with discus in years past without problem, until the discus started spawning. I had about 7 discus, 7 rummy nose, and 7 cardinals and neons, not huge schools of the tetras. Once the spawning started I gave away the rummy noses, and the discus did away with the cardinals and neons after the tetras did away with their free swimmers. Paybacks are a...apparently even in the fish world.

[jimg]

I had rummy noses last for over 3 years before I gave them away. cardinals seemed to last about 4-6 months. Harlequin rasboras are nice and hardy too

[strawberryblonde]

I have about 25 cardinal tetras and 5 jumbo neons (truly these are the biggest neons I've ever seen!) in my tank and so far so good. One cardinal became lunch for my largest discus on his first day in the tank, but he was the smallest of the group and made the mistake of swimming right in front of my red scribs mouth. LOL

Other than that one loss, they've all done quite well and aren't shy at all. I think it's the large number of them that makes them feel safe. The neons school with them and make the group seem even larger. My only worry each day is making sure that they get enough to eat since my discus are huge pigs and gobble up the flake food very quickly.

[laborelch]

have both cardinals and rummy nose - no issues with the discus.

[deepflyball]

i have 125 rummy nose in my 110 gal with 9 6+inch Discus. they have been in there for about a year now.an no problems at all. Jerry

[nbk8s4b]

Thanks. But do rummy nose make the tank too busy? It seems to me they keep swiming back and forth but Caridinals tend to stay in one place. Just for aesthetic prospective, which species blends better with Discus?

[jimg]

imo no. the ones that i think are pesty to discus are the sae's (Siamese algae eaters)

[mungkee]

I've had both and the rummy nose seem to school better which makes the tank seem more "organized". The neons and cardinals were all over place which made the tank appear busy.

[Keith Perkins]

Sounds like for your taste the cardinals would be a better choice. I'm thinking your looking for a tranquil looking tank, and the rummy noses won't give you that like the cardinals will.

[DonMD]

Thanks. But do rummy nose make the tank too busy? It seems to me they keep swiming back and forth but Caridinals tend to stay in one place. Just for aesthetic prospective, which species blends better with Discus?

I've had just the opposite experience. the neon tetras are swimming all over the place, disorganized, basically peppered throughout the 125 gallon tank. The rummy nose school beautifully, and provide a nice counterpoint to the big discus. My only advise, don't get too many. I've got about 40, I'd say, and I wouldn't mind losing about 10, but they're not easy to catch! -Don

[Keith Perkins]

...My only advise, don't get too many. I've got about 40, I'd say, and I wouldn't mind losing about 10, but they're not easy to catch! -Don

Thanks for that early morning Smile Don.

[TURQ64]

My tank with Heckel's has proven that it isn't 'just neons'...it's down to two card's swimming in there, from a formerly large group....I never see 'em eat them, but I do catch them in the case once in a while....Gary

[3dees]

I went a different way. 25 lemon tetras in my 120 gal. with my wilds. always tightly schooled and too big for the discus to eat.

[DonMD]

I went a different way. 25 lemon tetras in my 120 gal. with my wilds. always tightly schooled and too big for the discus to eat.

I don't think I've ever seen a lemon tetra . . .