I think I made a mistake. I left the narrowest of pathways in the back bottom of my tank and my cardinal tetras (who seem fine and healthy) hide back there whenever I am in the room -- except during feeding time, of course. My plants are about an inch from the glass and they live in this inch!

If I go over to the other side of the room, they will occasionally come out and play in the current at the front of the tank, but not very often that I know of.

I've only had them for 3 weeks. Will they outgrow this or should I block the pathway with plants or some rocks? I would like to see them out and about more often.

Blasting current and trimming a nice display pattern will force them to school better and also be seen more.

Mine go around the Rotala wallichii mound and get some decent play at the other end of the tank.

I use high current, about 250 Gph in a 20 gal for this.

Regards,
Tom Barr