I have 3 black tetras in a 20 gallon tank. Its been about a week and a half now. They have carved out there territories and have gotten comfortable. I have one fish that took all the open area in the front of the tank. It had nowhere to hide. For some reason it decided to start hiding behind a rock in another's territory. That fish kept trying to push it out. While it kept going back and forth, the third fish moved in on its territory. Now the two fish are pushing it back and forth. What should I do?
A fish with nowhere to go
- Thread starter jokerfla
- Start date
black tetras tend to be shoaling/schooling fish. typically you should try to keep them in groups of 6 or more. the larger schools allow them to distribute agression better and helps them feel more comfortable.
Just the black tetras in a 20G? Also the number of each fish (if others) may help too 
20G should be suficiant, and mine school together most of the time...
20G should be suficiant, and mine school together most of the time...
Their interaction is a good sign that they are doing okay through your cycle btw
As to their bahavior by picking on the 'odd one out', I have 2 high-skirt black tetras, but although they get along well they do chase each other and occasionally nip each others tail fins. A lot tetras are know to have some of this behavior, but more so, each fish is unique and may express more of this or less.
Overall, I would say they are a peaceful fish very well suited to a community tank (their long fins usually make them the target if anything). At this point i would agree w/ LazyNode - more cover should help a great deal. Large objects will also reduce the natural terroritories that fish establish vs. the sizes established in an open tank.
As to their bahavior by picking on the 'odd one out', I have 2 high-skirt black tetras, but although they get along well they do chase each other and occasionally nip each others tail fins. A lot tetras are know to have some of this behavior, but more so, each fish is unique and may express more of this or less.
Overall, I would say they are a peaceful fish very well suited to a community tank (their long fins usually make them the target if anything). At this point i would agree w/ LazyNode - more cover should help a great deal. Large objects will also reduce the natural terroritories that fish establish vs. the sizes established in an open tank.
If they are not eatting that could be a sign of distress. They do tend to be pretty hardy, but what are ur water parameters?
Definately keep an eye on things...
Definately keep an eye on things...
You said that you are not cycled yet but all your numbers are good on the water paremeters. What does that mean? If you are in the middle of a cycle then chances are you will have some ammonia and/or nitrite in your water. If these levels get too high for ther fish living in this tank then they are put under stress. This will cause some issues with thier behavior as well as some other things. You need to test your water and see where in the cycle you are. Then act accordingly. If the levels are higher then .25 in a cycle then a water change is in order to bring those levels back down to acceptable levels during the cycling process in your tank. It also sounds like there is a territorial issue going on in the tank and since adding more to the school at this time is not an option then I would add more plants, driftwood, and decorations so each one of the fiish can stake out thier territory. I would also recommend moving things around and creating a new aquascape so all of the fish have to re-establish thier territories. This should help the fish that is having a problem with this now. As far as the fish not eating that is probably due to the fact that he is under stress. When the stress is relieved then he will probably start to eat.
Marinemom
Marinemom