I have a 65L (17g) Tank I've had it abit over 3wks but lately all my Tetras have started schooling they go round like soldiers marching just below the surface. I have 7 Glowlites & 5 Silvertipped I'm starting panic because when they do this they won't eat normally there pretty good eaters I haven't had them long but I'm attached could someone tell me what to do? Also in the tank are 4 Brislenose Catties & 3 Platties the water Temp got upto to 30 thats about 86 I do regular water changes but I might the wrong mix!!
Panic Q about Tetras
- Thread starter markcollier8
- Start date
Ok. First of all, you are overstocked. That's way too many plecos in a 17 gallon, they can get territorial. And you just have too many fish overall. The general rule is 1" per gallon (adult size) and right now you're closer to about 44. As far as schooling, tetras are schooling fish, but them being at the surface and not eating might be ammonia poisoning. Did you cycle the tank? Do you have any test measurements (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)? Please share this info with us and we'll be better able to help you.
Crying Impatient!!
Thank you for helping, I have a 28gal tank I can move some of the fish to I;ve had it going the same time it has some fish in it but they seem to doing ok I think you might be right about amonia poisoning I;m getting all these little bubbles forming on top off water. I got impatient & lost a few fish out of big tank but I have only lost 1 silvertip out of small I was devastated because I seem to be nursing the small tank, what mix should I apply to remedy problem?
Thank you for helping, I have a 28gal tank I can move some of the fish to I;ve had it going the same time it has some fish in it but they seem to doing ok I think you might be right about amonia poisoning I;m getting all these little bubbles forming on top off water. I got impatient & lost a few fish out of big tank but I have only lost 1 silvertip out of small I was devastated because I seem to be nursing the small tank, what mix should I apply to remedy problem?
It sounds like your fish are stressed and dying of ammonia poisoning.
You need to go to the beginning of this forum and read the sticky articles about properly cycling your tank with fish. They are very helpful. You should also get a master freshwater testing kit, so you can monitor your ammonia and nitrite levels while cycling. I would also recommend getting a bottle of prime to neutralize the ammonia in your tank to protect your fish until your tank has an opportunity to develop beneficial bacteria.
You need to go to the beginning of this forum and read the sticky articles about properly cycling your tank with fish. They are very helpful. You should also get a master freshwater testing kit, so you can monitor your ammonia and nitrite levels while cycling. I would also recommend getting a bottle of prime to neutralize the ammonia in your tank to protect your fish until your tank has an opportunity to develop beneficial bacteria.
I would get the temp down to 80F. If it's ammonia poisoning, I would be careful not to overfeed (not saying you should underfeed) but make sure there is no excess food after you feed them. Plus the fact that your tank is heavily overstocked combined with possible overfeeding can lead to excessive wastes (bioload / food) which = high ammonia content.
Ammonia poisoning is also very common if you heavily stocked your tank at once without a proper fishless cycle. For future reference, you shouldn't add more than 4-5 fish at a time; adding too many at once can change your water parameters drastically.
I would say you can get away with keeping the tetras and your platys in the tank as long as you do regular water changes (30% weekly), and beware of platy reproduction.
Moving out the bristlenose plecos will ease the bioload a lot for all your other fish.
that's my suggestions and GL with the tank!
Ammonia poisoning is also very common if you heavily stocked your tank at once without a proper fishless cycle. For future reference, you shouldn't add more than 4-5 fish at a time; adding too many at once can change your water parameters drastically.
I would say you can get away with keeping the tetras and your platys in the tank as long as you do regular water changes (30% weekly), and beware of platy reproduction.
Moving out the bristlenose plecos will ease the bioload a lot for all your other fish.
that's my suggestions and GL with the tank!