should I return my black tetra? (a little long)

K

Katz

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Hello again.

As you can see in my previous posts, I have 3 black tetra, 3 serpea, 3 bloodfins, and 3 small cories in a 10 g. tank. I added a small suckerfish last weekend I am a little worried about, because he hides so much, but maybe he just needs some time to get settled. I added some algea wafers that haven't been touched yet, but there is a little algea on the glass he usually hangs out on, so I'm hoping he is eating. I don't think I should add more algea wafers until he starts eating them, but please tell me if I'm wrong.

The fish this post is really about is "big fin", a black tetra with freaky long fins. He tries to be the boss of the tank, chasing other fish away from him, but there are plenty of fake plants for them to get away, and they don't really take him seriously anyway. The problem (if it is one) is his stress level. In the morning, he has very clear dark markings. As soon as the light comes on (after half hour of room light so it's not so sudden) he goes all pale and almost translucent. This lasts till lights out around 8 pm, room lights out around 10 pm. Is he stressed?? Shoud I take him back for his own good?

Water parameters are all fine.

Thanks!
 
I have a couple of the same fish I wouldnt worry about it to much. however I would get him a buddy or two they are schooling fish and he could probably do with a friend :)

to the sucker fish, do you know what kind it is? most of them are reclusive and you probalby wont see them to much.
 
Originally posted by demon_surfer
I have a couple of the same fish I wouldnt worry about it to much. however I would get him a buddy or two they are schooling fish and he could probably do with a friend :)

to the sucker fish, do you know what kind it is? most of them are reclusive and you probalby wont see them to much.
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I agree, the black tetra are schoolers (though they fight amongst themselves a bit too much for my taste). I've seen some slight changes in marking and such, but nothing like you described. I would be concerned too. It sounds like the direct sunlight may be the cause. Most fish don't receive direct light (and swim far enough down to avoid it). They don't really need a lot of light. It could also be warming the water rather quickly, which could also stress them.

Pleco/sucker fish are recluse, as demon says. I rarely see mine, but my tank stays (magically) algae free. I also remember that when introducing plecos to my tank, they all seem skittish for a few days, especially with fast fish around. If the pleco dies it's darwin at work, but it's likely coming out to eat in the lower-light conditions.
 
The tank doesn't really get much direct sunlight, I was talking about the regular hood light. I have been thinking it's a little bright. The hood has two bulbs, one of which is not working, but it still is very bright.

Bigfin does have two buddies, they just don't have the freaky fins...

Thanks for replying so quickly guys.
 
I really dont think the color change is a problem, I have 4 of them in my 55 gallon and they can go from jet black marks to almost total silver and they are all doing great.

I love their long fins! :)
 
thanks. I feel better now. He has a lot of personality, so I would hate to have to return him. He always looks at you kind of cock-eyed when you go up to the tank, like he is saying "what are you looking at?".

Follow up question: one of my three bloodfins has a big belly. Eating and playing fine. Is she pregnant??
 
I don't know much about pregnant fish, but can you see eggs inside her? I had a Buenos Aires tetra that I was sure was carrying eggs (I could see them with the hood light off, when she would "lose" her color).

I don't know how else to tell, but I hope that helps a little.
 
Originally posted by Katz
Follow up question: one of my three bloodfins has a big belly. Eating and playing fine. Is she pregnant??
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On a technical note, tetras may not be pregnant...the correct term is gravid (egg-laden).

Greatly distended bellies are usually some form of dropsy. I would Google that to see if it matches the symptoms that yours is showing.
 
Thanks ChilDawg! I just googled dropsy and it's very possible that's what my gravid (thanks for the word!) tetra died from. I don't recall her scales sticking out and seeing eggs could have been my imagination (??), but what really got me was one site said ulcer(s) may appear. She had a spot under her belly that could have been an ulcer.

Katz - I would really recommend following ChilDawg's suggestion and google dropsy. I learned alot from it.

I do have a question, though. If a fish has dropsy, how long can they live with it and can it really screw up their swim bladder just before death? I couldn't find answers to those questions and maybe it will help Katz out also.
 
Dropsy is organ failure, including the kidneys. I assume that the fluid retention messes with the swimming form of the fish in question.
 
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