Need ID of this fish

[cube]

Hello good people of AQ, would any kind souls help me ID this fish ?
It looks similar in coloration n pattern to the Serpae Tetra, but this fish is much more oval and shorter in body shape. Just bought 8 of them from seaview, they do school occasionally, but they dont behave like true shcooling fishes do.

[lucasjiang]

It should be a sepae tetra, just that it looks like youve got a balloon form of the tetra.

[cube]

Balloon form ?? you mean its a selective breed of tetra ? or some genetic mutation ? Didint know tetra exisits in other fancy forms besides in its original wild species form

[lucasjiang]

Yea, a selective form, also known as short body form. The two links below show the two forms of another tetra species moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

A balloon form of the tetra
http://www.segrestfarms.com/index.cf...FILOMENAE.html

A normal form of the tetra
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/XIMAGESERVERX...1221151702.jpg

[cube]

Now i feel kind of cheated after purchasing them as I just learnt from you that tetras do come in selectively/artificially bred forms. The red crystal and many other similar tetras definitely don't appear in short or 'balloon' form in the wild right? I am that sort that strive to achieve a natural planted tank scape and i am sort of against 'man-made' breeds of fishes reared just to appeal cosmetically.

Here's an interesting read regarding 'man-made' ornamental fishes:
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.u...t.php?sid=3834

[EdwinTay]

hi bro

I think they are called black or red phantom tetras - different from serpae.

The single fish looks stunted. The picture with two fish - the second one looks OK.

[David]

Hi Cube

To be frank, most if not all LFS owners and/or shop assistance do not really know the difference between a true blood line breed to a engineered breed. It is an unfortunate scenario. I am not saying that there isn't any LFS who actually knows their fish....there is, but few. You have to identify which LFS they are and for you to be comfortable with the LFS and build a relationship with them.

As a hobbyist, you have to know what one wants and do some research on the subject. In this day of the mobile internet, you could have a reference point should you be in doubt.

I do understand your sentiments when you discovered what you bought, perhaps was not what you want, .....however, take this as a gentle reminder not to use the word 'cheat' as this could spark into unnecessary conflicts in the forum.

[cube]

Hi David,

Will take note of the above mentioned, apologizes as i am being new to this forum.

[David]

no issues....

[Neptune, the Mystic]

By accident I came to learn of the abnormality of a variant of another tetra species that I bought from a brother here who, like me, might not have known it for what it was.

Anyway, back to the id of the fish. If they are indeed red phantom, their colour intensity co-relates with how much light there is in the tank. You might want to dim the light to bring out their 'redness'.

Red phantom are a schooling species if the tank size justifies that. Or they must constantly perceive a threat to induce them to take to schooling.

[Dodofish]

I used to keep around 3 of this when I have a 30cm tank. They are pretty easy to keep, eat a lot not picky. And yes there must be induce threat to keep them in a school. They can be aggressive towards gentle fishes.

[Donovan5858]

The Power Ionizer is a water sanitizer, which installs in minutes, is weather-resistant and will eliminate high levels of expensive pool chemicals.Water is the need of fish because they cannot alive without it.So what do you say about it buddy?????????????????????