I just added my 2 guppies to a tank with 3 tetras (and others) and one of the tetras is attacking them. One guppy had lost all of its beautiful tail in the last 24 hours and is hiding the whole time. The fish shop told me all my fish were compatible with guppies. Whats going on and what should I do?
2007-01-17 01:47:06 · 8 answers · asked by nurseyed 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Tetras are notorious fin nippers. They probably won't kill the guppies, but don't expect them to have long, pretty fins while in the tank with tetras! Sorry, but the only way to help is to separate them!
2007-01-17 01:59:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You have too few tetras in the tank they are shoaling fish and should all be kept in groups of 5 or more of the same species. Tetras only shoal with their own kind. Neons with neons, glowlights with glowlights. The shop should never have sold you guppies to put with tetras, Most will nip the tails of slower moving fish even attacking large angels, so take them back and complain! I dont think they should have sold you two guppies either. You need 3 females to 1 male. You can tell the difference by the tail. If its long its male!
A general tip for introducing new fish if any in the tank are territorial species. Redecorate the tank by moving things around (not plants) just before releasing the new ones. By changing the territory it gives new fish time to settle while the territorial ones establish a new one. If you have some way to seperate the guppies do it ASAP and either re-home or return.
2007-01-17 11:01:00 · answer #2 · answered by willowGSD 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tetras are fin nippers and should never be kept with fish which have flowing fins or tails. Didn't you do any reading or ask where you bought them? Take them back, then go to a different shop which knows about the fish they sell. Name and shame the shop which sold you tetras to go with guppies!
2007-01-17 05:31:16 · answer #3 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guppies are usually passive but do suffer from tail nibbling(the males have the fancy tails) because they are a target. We used to have a mixed tank but found guppies were better kept alone. They need to be separated otherwise it will continue.
2007-01-17 01:52:26 · answer #4 · answered by minitheminx65 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
tetras are fin nippers against fish with bigger and prettier fins. its not recommended to put tetra fish with guppies, because they are not as fast and will increase the stress level in the tank
2007-01-17 01:56:45 · answer #5 · answered by Twilite 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they have just become territorial. Try separating them for a while, like putting pane of glass in the middle if the tank to split them up till they used to eachother.
2007-01-17 01:53:30 · answer #6 · answered by ~Kitana~ 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Obviously you should give the tetra concerned an ASBO. If this doesn;t work flush it down the loo.
2007-01-17 01:56:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
fish are just that way my brothers fish ate a neon fish heart out
2007-01-17 02:19:26 · answer #8 · answered by alligator 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋