Are my new tetra mean?

E

emmaS

AC Members
Nov 6, 2006
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Hi. I added 3 new white skirt tetras to my tank. It already had 4 other tetras who were living together peaceful. The old tetras are old, betweein 4-6yrs in age. The 3 newbies are a lot more active, chasing each other and the older tetra. I'm not sure if they're being mean or if this is normal behavior. They could be playing but during feeding times, the new tetra will chase the old tetra out of their "territory"--which is usually where the old tetra would wait for food to fall. The lone neon tetra seems to be hiding nowadays and keeps his/her distance.

Have I introduced bullies to my tank or will this behavior pass?
 
Hi,

The first thing is that Neons are very, very social fish and should never be kept alone. You should at least get four more Neons or more.

I think the chasing will stop in a little bit.

Congrats on having your tetras for that long!!!!

Cory Lover
 
White skirts are a variant of the black tetra, and yes these fish can be a little mean sometimes. It's usually nothing more than simple pecking order and a little chasing or nipping. I wouldn't worry much unless you start to notice any serious problems.

I would add a few more neons just because you have a school of other tetras now. Neons will do better in a school, but more for protection from other fish and also to add more interest in watching them.

The notion that schooling fish "need" other fish to live a happy life is simply not true. I have many schooling fish from now defunct groups who are the lone survivor and they have always done perfectly fine for months and even years.

But in your situation it would certainly prevent him from being ousted from the food source. There is safety in numbers, which is why fish school to begin with. Your tank's balance of power has been upset and thus it needs to be balanced again.
 
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