Strange Serpae Tetra Behavior

cbatusf

cbatusf

AC Members
Dec 17, 2006
61
0
0
39
Tampa, FL
www.myspace.com
Hello,
I have three Serpae Tetras in a ten gallon aquarium. I was watching them this morning and one of them almost appears to be vibrating. All three have been staying close to one of my large Hornwort plants, but this vibrating Tetra keeps swimming up to the other two tetras then swims into the Hornwort. He continues doing this over and over while shaking his fins. "Vibrating" is the best word that I could think of to describe it. Is this some sort of breeding behavior?
If not, any ideas of what this could be? I've never seen this before, and I've had these Tetras for about 4 or 5 months now.
Thanks so much!
~Courtney
 
Strange that the tetra would display this behavior now after all this time.. Have you tested the water? Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

Marinemom
 
It's been about a month since I've tested the water, and all levels were perfect for a planted aquarium. I don't have time this morning to do another test, though. It's been established for over a year now, and all of my other fish look great, too. The only change I've made to the aquarium is the two Hornwort plants. Maybe he's claiming one of them as his own. lol!
 
If you have not tested the water in a month, first chance you get you should run tests on the water. That would be the first thing I would check if one of the fish were acting a bit odd. What is your water change schedule like?

Marinemom
 
I'm actually about to get on a flight out of town. I'm running around and procrastinating on here and really can't test the water until I return on Sunday. I'll tell my hubby to keep an eye on my fish while I'm gone, though.

I do 25% water changes religiously every Sunday. I buy my water from my LFS because I don't trust the tap water in my area. I add Prime (just to be safe) and Flourish to the water every water change. Everything, including the other fish, appears normal. Also, lights are on eight hours a day. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. I've got to run, but will check back tonight. Take care, everyone!
 
I'm no expert but it sounds like a courtship dance to me. I think the vibrating one is the male trying to entice the females over to the plant for breeding. The addition of the plants may have brought this on because according to what I've read serpae do use plants for breeding.
 
Courtship, dominance, who knows. Maybe both.

The addition of plants might have them going wanting to breed. Serpaes lay their eggs on fine-leaved plants. They hatch in a day.

Art
 
I had this same thing happening in my 14 gallon, I moved them to a 55 and it stopped. I think its just a terrertorial thing, or overcrowding, I don't know, Serpeas needs a big tank to swim around in (minimum is 26 inches i beleive) a ten gallon would be to small.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom