Fish in a community tank

[Jules001]

We have got a nice community tank mostly with various tetras, some platies, a couple of catfish, a botia, some Dutch rams, a flying fox and a penguin fish (bought because it was wrongly identified as a flying fox!) when I was in our local aquaria the other day I took a fancy to some gorgeous male and female lemon guppies, however the staff were too busy to ask whether they would be suitable for our tank so to save a wasted trip if they're not, can anyone advise if their long tails would be nipped by any of our current fish.

[CT]

Possibly by the tetras. Depends on numbers, tank size, if they're viscious tetras(some are worse than others). Let us have some more details, like tank volume, the type and number of tetras.

[andyjevs]

It's hard to say but if i would say anything would nip them, it would be the penguin tetra or the other tetras (you don't say what they are which is important)...they can be tempted with the odd peck.

Platies are fine, the flying fox might chase them away and the loach and cats should be fine.

If it was me, i'd probably leave them or get rid of the penguin first.

BTW....if a shop sold me a penguin tetra instead of a flying fox, they wouldn't be getting any more of my cash !!!

[Jules001]

rightio for further clarification, the tetras are as follows :
6 neons
4 silver tipped
1 x ray
and I had forgotten about our 1 surviving Harlequin Rasbora, we also have 6 mystery fish which Mr Jules bought just before xmas and can't remember what they are. I am off to do a quick Google to see if I can identify them and will brb.

[CT]

I'd say that the silver tips are the most viscious. (They're just that bit bigger than the neons). Four is enough for them to feel safe from other things, so they'll probably defend their territory. If you watch them, do they often chase the smaller fish. If so, i'd say that this is a pretty good indication they'll do the same with the guppies.

[Emma-J]

One last thing that no-one else seems to have pointed out, check you tank dimensions to make sure you have enough room for more fish, otherwise they could get overcrowded and you could end up losing some anyway.

EJ

[Jules001]

CT yes the silver tipped do tend to chase the other fish, I know there is always going to be a certain amount of territorial behaviour and 'pecking order' as such, but wouldn't want to see the tails nipped on the guppies which was my main concern.
Emma-J thanks for mentioning about the tank volume, it is a valid point and one that we are aware of - we have definitely got room for more though.
Still can't identify the mystery fish, hubby says that they are definitely tetras but can't remember what. They are predominately silver with a iridescent blue/purple bit near the tail, not a lateral line like neons - does that ring bells with anyone?

[Emma-J]

Mystery Tetras sound like the Emperor Tetra (they have a irridescent purple line down them), but if they are only small they could be Silver Tetras (they are irredescent blue).

Hope this helps jog your memory

EJ

[andyjevs]

Emperor tetras were the first thing that i thought of.

Yer, i personally wouldn't get the guppies with the tetras you have.

[Jules001]

thanks everyone, I think I'll just admire the guppies from afar then until our tank residents change.