Bleeding Heart Tetra is clear

Needeles

Needeles

AC Members
Jun 5, 2006
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Wisconsin
Hello, I am rather new to the fish world. I started a tank about 3 months ago with a few different type of fish. Below is a list of what I have at the moment

Lemon Tetra - 1 (Had 2 but one just disappeared and I have no idea where it went)
Bleeding Heart Tetra - 2
Gold Barb - 2
Kissing Gourami - 2
Bala Shark - 3
Neon Tetra - 5

All the fish seem to be doing fine but one of the Bleeding hearts is clear. The other is a tanish color and the clear one has alittle purple. Becides the little purple it is completely clear as I can see right through it. My question is, is this normal or is there something wrong with the little critter. It seems to be healthy as it swims around and eats normal. I just want to be sure it is ok. If it makes a difference they are in a 20 gallon tank but the biggest fish is the kisser and it is about 1 1/2 in.If anyone can let me know if I have something to worry about please let me know.

I also wanted to add that my neons are jumping at my hood. Is this normal? I just got them today and they all seem healthy but when I turned the light off for the night I can hear them jumping and hitting the hood. I'm not sure if it is just one of them or more but I'm worried they might hurt themselves. I only have about 1 1/2 in of space between the inside of the hood and the water level (The water is just a hair below the black strip on the top of the tank) if this matters. Thanks
 
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You mean Ghost clear? or just transluscent? Was he always clear? Or did this develop after purchase. If he's always been this way, it may be genetic. Is he behaving OK?

I've seen photos where they're very colorful, and others where they look rather drab(Bleeding Heart). Which is it? I was considering a small shoal of these guys myself. Either bleeting hearts or Congo Tetras. I'm a little surprised they don't show more color after 3 months of feeding...

Are you otherwise happy with your Tetras?
 
If it is swimming and eating normally, he/she is probably o.k. They do prefer to have more of their own kind around (as do the other tetras you listed) so it may be a little stressed due to lack of companionship. Stress can cause fish to lighten in color or lose color completely. It certainly could be genetic also.
 
Hello and thanks for the reply. When I bought the fish it was clear with just the little bit of purple on the top and bottom (A thin dark strip on top & bottom) of the fish. When I say clear I mean There is no color. I can see it's insides (like it's stomach and spine) and all. I can't see through him like glass but more of a hazey clear. As for how it behaves all is normal. It eats fine and doesn't seem ill in anyway. Both fiish just lounge around pretty peacefully.

And yes I am very happy with my tetras except I found one of my new ones dead this morning. I didn't think it would make it that long because after I got it I noticed how faint it's color was. The other four seem to be fine though, they just swim around in there little group.

So do you think I need to get a few more of the same fish (More of the tetras) to make the others happy. If so how many more would you say to get and which ones. I have a 20 gallon tank but it does seem pretty bare as most of the fish are not much longer than an inch and I do cleanings weekly (25-50%). The only problem I seem to have is my PH levels seem to be higher(7.8 -8.4) then I would like but the fish don't seem to mind to much. The other levels seem to be good. All the fish so far seem to get along with each other pretty well except for the big kissing fish that always chases the other kisser (Which is smaller by about a 1/2 inch) around during feeding time and once in awhile when not feeding. Any advise or help would be great as I really do like these fish. Thanks in advance.

You can see my tank specs here - http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/member.php?u=47158
 
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Hello again, I just went to my local fish shop and did some looking around and found something out. The fish that I am speaking about above is infact not a Bleeding Heart but a Painted Glassfish. My fiancee is the one who picked these ones out and she thought they were the bleeding hearts and wanted them because she liked the color. I am happy to know that this fish is as it should be. Thank you for the help above as I did get a couple more tetras to help the others feel less lonely. Thanks again and soory for the mistake.
 
painted as in dyed?

Sorry but I had to say it: Sell your Bala's. They will outgrow your tank and you will be left with virtually unsaleable (because of size) fish. I have 2. They are in my 129(ish)gallon tank. Any more and it would be too many.

I really advise you to act on this now.
 
The tetras and barbs need to be in shcools of about 6, otherwise they will be quite skittish(becuase they have adapted to being in large numbers in the wild). The fish fading is becuase of them bieng died, most of these will live about a year at the most in rare cases and will fade out like yours is(verses about 5 years for non-panted ones in proper enviroments).
 
Hello, ya I just was reading up on the painted glassfish and am not happy about it. I did not relize that it was not natural. I have 2 and won't get anymore. As for my balas I do know that I will need a bigger tank for them. I do plan to get a 55 gallon down the road as the kissing fish need bigger also but at the moment I can't. The 3 balas I have are about 2 inches at the moment and don't seem to be bothered by the size of the tank for the time being. The 3 of them just swim around together most of the time pretty peacefully. When I first got them there was one that always chased the other around but that doesn't happen much anymore. I also just found out the the fish I thought was a Lemon Tetra is infact a Pristellia Tetra and seems much happier now that I added a couple more of that kind.

Thanks again for the help and advise
 
Good with the bigger size but its still not big enough.

Yeah. Most stores now hold an agreement that they wont sell dyed fish as it is so inhumane. Try and get your place to stop selling them asap if you possible can.
 
Hello, so what would be a good size tank to get? I personally don't mind having a bigger tank but I thought I would only need a 55 gallon. I've heard of people with 75 gallon and 129 gallon but have not seen anyplace in my area that sells larger then 55g. I have the local Wal-Mart that sales the 55g and there is a Petco, Pet Parade & PetSMart but not sure if they sale bigger. If you have any ideas of places I may find the larger sizes please let me know. Thanks
 
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