I love X-ray tetras because of their “hardy” nature and low maintenance. However, some people ask me, are X-ray tetras aggressive? And what are the best tank mates for X-ray tetras? In this article, let’s discuss X-ray tetra’s aggression and tank mates further.
Are Xray Tetras Aggressive?
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X-ray tetras are not an aggressive species of fish. They are known to be peaceful and can get along with other community fish. However, like any other animals, there might be some individual X-ray tetras that are aggressive. But this is not common behavior for the species. Because of these aggressive individuals, you might occasionally encounter some fighting in your aquarium. However, they don’t end up killing each other. So, if you see minor fighting between your X-ray tetras, don’t be alarmed. It’s just their natural behavior. When considering the average tetra fish lifespan, it’s important to provide them with a suitable environment and proper care.
The best thing to do is to provide lots of hiding places in your aquarium so that the aggressive fish can have a place to retreat to when they need a break from the others. The main thing you need to be aware of is that X-ray tetras are schooling fish. This means that they should be kept in groups of at least 6-8 fish. If they are kept in smaller groups, they might become more aggressive towards each other. So, if you are planning to keep X-ray tetras in your aquarium, make sure to keep them in a group of 6-8 fish. This will help reduce their aggression levels.
Are Pristella Tetras Fin Nippers?
Pristella tetras are usually not fin-nippers. But if you keep them in solitary, they might start nipping the fins of other fish. Since x-ray tetras are shoaling fish, they need to be in large groups. Or else, they will become skittish and might start nipping the fins of other fish.
X-Ray Tetra Tank Mates
Pristella tetras are peaceful fish and get along well with other community fish. Nonetheless, you should carefully choose their tank mates because of their smaller size and shy behavior. Listed below are some of the suitable tank mates for X-ray tetras:
Peaceful Similar-Sized Fish
As x-ray tetra are peaceful fish species, they need peaceful fish as their tank mates. Since they have a small body size, you should choose fish that are of similar size. Some examples of peaceful fish species that are of similar body size to x-ray tetras are neon tetras, bloodfin tetras, and black skirt tetras. You can also house these fish with Rasbora species like harlequin rasbora, scissortail rasbora, and checkerboard rasbora. X-ray tetras are also compatible with mollies, guppies, dwarf gouramis, platies, and swordtails.
Bottom Dwelling Fish
Since x-ray tetras are mid-dwelling fish, you can also keep them with bottom-dwelling fish. Some examples of suitable bottom-dwelling fish for x-ray tetras are Corydoras catfish, plecostomus, and loaches.
Shrimps And Snails
X-ray tetras are also compatible with shrimps and snails. In fact, these species help keep the aquarium clean by eating algae. So, if you are looking for tank mates for your x-ray tetras to help keep the aquarium clean, shrimps and snails are a good choice. Some suitable shrimp species for x-ray tetras are Amano shrimp, cherry shrimp, and ghost shrimp. As for snails, you can choose from nerite snail, mystery snail, and ramshorn snail.
Unsuitable Tank Mates for X-Ray Tetras
Listed below are some of the unsuitable tank mates for x-ray tetras:
Large Aggressive Fish
Since x-ray tetras are small and peaceful fish, they should not be kept with large, aggressive fish. Some examples of large and aggressive fish that you should avoid keeping with x-ray tetras are Oscars, green Terror cichlids, and jack Dempsey. These fish are not only large but also aggressive. They might bully or even kill the x-ray tetras in your aquarium.
Small Fish
You should also avoid keeping x-ray tetras with small fish. This is because the larger fish might see the smaller fish as food and might eat them. Some examples of small fish that you should not keep with x-ray tetras are neon tetra fries and livebearer fries such as guppy fry and molly fry.
Large Carnivore Fish
You should also avoid keeping x-ray tetras with large carnivore fish. This is because the carnivore fish might see the x-ray tetras as food and might eat them. Some examples of large carnivore fish that you should not keep with x-ray tetras are angel fish, Arowana, goldfish, koi, and clown knife fish.
Small Aggressive Fish
Small aggressive fish are also not suitable tank mates for x-ray tetras. This is because the small aggressive fish might nip at the fins of the x-ray tetras. Some examples of small aggressive fish that you should not keep with x-ray tetras are tiger barbs, black widow tetras, bettas, and piranhas.
X-Ray Tetra Diet
X-ray tetras are omnivorous fish, which means that they eat both plants and animals. In the wild, x-ray tetras eat small insects, crustaceans, and zooplankton. In the aquarium, x-ray tetras should be given a varied diet that includes both plant and animal matter. You can feed them fresh, frozen, or dry food.
Some suitable live foods for x-ray tetras are brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. As for frozen food, you can give them bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. You can also give them dry food such as pellets and flakes. Be sure to choose a high-quality pellet or flake food that is specially formulated for omnivorous fish.
Conclusion
X-ray tetras are peaceful and shy fish. To feel safe, they must be kept in groups of at least six fish. X-ray tetras are compatible with other peaceful and shy fish. Some examples of suitable tank mates for x-ray tetras are Rasbora species, mollies, guppies, and swordtails. They are also compatible with bottom-dwelling fish, shrimps, and snails. You should avoid keeping x-ray tetras with large and aggressive fish, small fish, large carnivore fish, and small aggressive fish.
Related questions
How many x-ray tetras can I put in a 10-gallon tank?
If you keep x-ray tetras, you should put at least six fish in a 10-gallon tank. However, you might need a bigger tank if you plan to keep some other fish.
Can tetras live with mollies?
Yes, x-ray tetras can live with mollies. This is because both fish are peaceful and shy. If you plan to keep tetras with mollies, be sure to check with their specific care requirements. If tetras are used to living in brackish conditions, you may have to provide them with a similar environment.
Read Next : X-Ray Tetra Male Or Female Identification Guide
