I thought Neon Tetras were supposed to be peaceful fish...why aren't mine?

Question

I keep three of them in a 5 gallon tank in my dorm...i've had them since June...would adding three more keep them calmer or are they just more aggressive than your average tetra?

Answer 1

Get a bigger tank... 5 gallons is not big enough for neons. They are schooling fish and active swimmers, and you should have at least 6, and the minimum tank size would be 10 gallons. Please consider upgrading to a larger tank (you can get complete kits for cheap, used, look at your local classifieds, craigslist.com etc).

The reason they are being aggressive is probably because they are bored and unable to use up their energy swimming around.

Answer 2

Hey dude did u know that neon tetras are from the same family as piranhas...? yep they are characins that is they are fish with small teeth and an adipose anal fin,pacus ,silver dollars,tetras all kind,belong to the same family of characins,they are not very aggressive as a pirhana but they all are a bit nippy,give them a lotta space and as far as possible keep lots of them in the tank this way they bicker amongst themselves leaving other fish alone.Hope this info helps.

Answer 3

Neon tetras have an more suitable death fee, and may be able to get bullied or eaten via different fish on your tank. Angelfish might have no subject on your tank till you had fin nippers like tiger barbs. additionally in case you get angelfish get a minimum of three-6 on condition that they like to be in communities. i like angelfish extra fantastically the koi, and golden marble style.

Answer 4

Neon tetras are schooling fish, and 3 fish isn't much of a school. 6 would be much better.

Answer 5

i would consider putting them in a 10 gallon. just because the 5 gallon could be making them aggressive. they need room to school. good luck!

Answer 6

Add some more, they prefer to be 6 or more

Answer 7

also, the amount of space may be a problem.