This question?

Question

I just read that is your fish stay at the bottom of your tank and sit in one spot almost all the time it is stress .Well I have 2 red eye tetras and they are almost always at the bottom of the tank and just varely move out of their hiding spot..My tiger barb, serpea tetra and algae eater moves around and are very active.I do a 50% water change every week.Is this still stress or just the nature of the fish?

Answer 1

Well, tetras should be swimming around a lot. Tetras are active fish. Consider getting a few more of them - tetras do better in schools, and tend to be shy and inactive if they are kept alone or in small numbers.

Same goes for tiger barbs and serpea tetras, they should also be in schools. Keep an eye on the barbs, they are notoriously nippy and may be terrorizing your red-eye tetras to a point of lethargic submission.

Try getting a few more tetras and see how it goes. Sounds like your tank is clean, so they may just feel insecure by themselves and with evil tiger barbs around ;)

Answer 2

most schooling fish will not school unless they are in groups of six or more. Barbs can be a but nippy, so your fish may just be hiding. If your tank is big enough, you could gradually increase the number of red-eye tetras until they start to school. Right now, they may feel like prey. In a school, they will feel safer. However, do not overcrowd. There should be at least 1 gallon of water for evey inch of adult fish. 3 inch fish, 3 gallons of water.

Answer 3

I suspect that one of your other fish is bullying them. You don't need to change the water that much, unless the tank is too small for the amount of fish.

Answer 4

50% water change every week? Why not 10% or 20% every two weeks? Maybe you are changing too much water too often?

Answer 5

Maybe they get picked on a lot if they come out of hiding.

Answer 6

find another place