Should I add more neon tetras?

Hi everyone,

I have a 5 gallon tank with a filter, heater, light, and plants. I originally had just a betta fish in the tank, but today I went ahead and bought a few neon tetras as tankmates for him. I know they're schooling fish, but as my tank is rather small, I only bought three.

So far, they seem to be doing pretty well. They're very lively and colorful, and are eating well. However, my betta fish does enjoy chasing them occasionally, although he never actually catches them.

I would like to get three more tetras so they'll feel safer and happier in a bigger school but I also do not want to overcrowd my tank. So, do I add more tetras? Or is it okay to just keep a school of three at the risk of overcrowding?

I do weekly 50% water changes with a gravel vacuum and if I did get more tetras how much more often should I change the water?

Thank you so much for your help - if it's not obvious already, I'm rather new to this.

You may be able to get by with adding a couple more neons, but you're already pushing the limits of what the small aquarium will safely hold. The idea is to achieve a balance between the biological load and the quantity of waste products that can be handled by the beneficial bacteria colonies. The closer that balance gets to neutral, the less it takes to tip everything in the wrong direction. Just a little bit too much uneaten food one day can result in a disaster the next.

Rather than change half the water at one time, it may be better to change 25 percent of the water twice a week. This helps avoid sudden changes in water parameters. Also be sure to clean only about half of the gravel during any partial water change. The beneficial bacteria live in the gravel, and you don't want to syphon them all out.

you have 5 gallon tank with complete set up.you have a betta there,make sure that 1 betta n a 5 gallon tank is enough and if you want to add tetra you have to add at least 8 or more so that they can form a school.so i'll recommend you to not to add any tetra in this small tank....