Minnow Attacking New Neon Tetras - Please help!

[Ren127]

I have a new 15 gallon aquarium that I started a week ago. The fish store suggested using "feeder fish" (minnows) to start the tank. Two died the first night and one has been in the tank for a week- brought a water sample to another and more respected LFS today - he said water was ready and I bought 4 neon tetras to start with. I just put them in the tank and the minnow is chasing them all over- will they settle down or should I find the minnow a new home (down the toilet) They have been together about 20 min and he has not left the tetras alone yet. They are obviously not happy and I don't know what to do. Please HELP!!!!!!:help:

Thanks,

Total Newbie Lauren

 

[RiVerfishgirl]

I'm not sure what kind of minnows he sold you, but if they're picking on your other fish I'd take them back.

I do find it hard to believe that your tank is "ready" for fish after just a week. It generally takes a month or two to cycle unless established media is added. I have a link in my signature to the thread explaining freshwater cycling, so it would probably help you to read that.

 

[Ren127]

It was established media- a LFS here was going out of business and I purchased a 15 gallon tank from him with existing gravel to get me started. (It was one of his tanks he housed the for sale fish in) Tank had water and live plants only for a week and minnow for one week. LFS tested water today and said looks good.

The minnow was like 13 cents and are typically sold as live food - don't know if that helps identify him or not.

 

[GuppyGirl1230]

Lauren~ I would get rid of the minnow. Just my opinion. Maybe not down the toilet though, see if someone has a pond you can put it in, or maybe give it to someone. Good luck!

Maribeth

 

[RazzleFish]

It was established media- a LFS here was going out of business and I purchased a 15 gallon tank from him with existing gravel to get me started. (It was one of his tanks he housed the for sale fish in) Tank had water and live plants only for a week and minnow for one week. LFS tested water today and said looks good.

The minnow was like 13 cents and are typically sold as live food - don't know if that helps identify him or not.

First off, what does "the water looks good" mean. It helps to ask for real numbers when it comes to water quality. Also get yourself a liquid regent test kit. API makes a very nice master test kit. Also, now that I am thinking about it, what kind of test kit did the LFS use? Was it liquid drops and test tubes or dip strips?

The minnow was probably a rosy red. They are common feeders and are fairly nippy and more so when alone. Like others have said, get rid of him. Please do not just dump him out somewhere but rather find a place for him to live.

 

[Ren127]

Will the minnow be okay in a large vase for the night? I don't have another aquarium to put him in and I've probably given him long enough and he's not leaving the others alone.

I'm happy to try to find a new home (it's not my practice to flush live fish I'm just really mad at this one for harassing the other fish) He may have to go back to LFS #1. The person at the first LFS that sold me the minnow sold me strips- they have no numbers on them only safe and unsafe under the different colors.

When I took the water to LFS number 2 they did a digital pH reading and did drops in water on the Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate tests. I didn't know to ask him what the numbers were- I guess I would like to think that he wouldn't just make up that the levels looked okay. He suggested not adding more than 4 hardy tetras and give it a few more weeks before adding anything else. I am trying to do the right thing here - it just seems like every LFS has something different to say. It would be nice to find one that I could really trust to lead me in the right direction.

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[RazzleFish]

Will the minnow be okay in a large vase for the night? I don't have another aquarium to put him in and I've probably given him long enough and he's not leaving the others alone.

I'm happy to try to find a new home (it's not my practice to flush live fish I'm just really mad at this one for harassing the other fish) Perhaps he'll enjoy life in a pond at the park.

As long as it stays warm and it's only for one night he should be ok.

As for putting him in the pond it is illegal in some states (most states) to release any kind of fish into local waterways including ponds. Most are linked with fines so error on the side of caution when finding him a home.

 

[Ren127]

As long as it stays warm and it's only for one night he should be ok.

As for putting him in the pond it is illegal in some states (most states) to release any kind of fish into local waterways including ponds. Most are linked with fines so error on the side of caution when finding him a home.

I reworded that post to say bring him back to LFS#1 - I don't know what else to do with it- it dawned on me I probably couldn't put it in a pond.

 

[RazzleFish]

Will the minnow be okay in a large vase for the night? I don't have another aquarium to put him in and I've probably given him long enough and he's not leaving the others alone.

I'm happy to try to find a new home (it's not my practice to flush live fish I'm just really mad at this one for harassing the other fish) He may have to go back to LFS #1. The person at the first LFS that sold me the minnow sold me strips- they have no numbers on them only safe and unsafe under the different colors.

When I took the water to LFS number 2 they did a digital pH reading and did drops in water on the Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate tests. I didn't know to ask him what the numbers were- I guess I would like to think that he wouldn't just make up that the levels looked okay. He suggested not adding more than 4 hardy tetras and give it a few more weeks before adding anything else. I am trying to do the right thing here - it just seems like every LFS has something different to say. It would be nice to find one that I could really trust to lead me in the right direction.

Thanks for all of your help.

I reworded that post to say bring him back to LFS#1 - I don't know what else to do with it- it dawned on me I probably couldn't put it in a pond.

* Got it!

I can guaranty that just about everyone on this forum will agree. For every piece of information given there is another that will tell you the exact opposite.

Your LFS seems to know what they are talking about, except selling you the strips. From a very wize person whom I cannot remember, "Those stupid things can't even detect ammonia in cat urin!"

Depending on where you are located, it may be able to live in a private pond. Does anyone you know have a pond? Taking him back to the LFS is ok, too.

 

[Ren127]

No one has a pond that I know of- I think I'm going to take him back to LFS #1. I'll get a master test kit the next time I'm at LFS #2. Good to know about the strips.

Thanks again for everyone's help.