Black finned tetras

[Alin10123]

Hey guys,
I just released my guppy fry into the tank from the breeding net since they were getting bigger. However, there was one particular fry that isn't much bigger than it was after it was born.

I saw a black tetra go right after it. They seem to have a pretty aggressive hunting behavior. They will sort of sneak up to it and then pounce on it really fast. Luckily the little guy got away. I dont doubt for one minute that the guppy would have fit into his mouth.

If the black tetra had actually caught him, would he have eaten the little guy?
I'm planning to move all of these to my 55 in a couple of days once it finishes cycling. But i'm asking becuase I would like to increase the quantities of fish that i have right now to at least 5 of each type. Not sure if i want black tetras running around with my livebearing fish. In case there's a pregnat one in there that i dont catch in time to put into the breeding net.

Also... will all of my fish start to school if they are in groups of 5?

thanks a bunch.

[osteoporoosi]

Black tetras are greedy little buggers, and most likely they will eat every fry the can catch(even the frys mother will).

I would even go for 6-8 each for the 55 gallon, especially black tetras are extremely nippy in small tanks and schools.

[Alin10123]

So basically the only thing to do is either get a fry tank or a breeding net and hope that i can catch the mother in time before they eat them all?

[osteoporoosi]

If you have a heavily planted tank I wouldn't worry too much. 15-20 % of my batches survive, which is enough for my taste.
If your tank is bare, a fry tank would be necessary.