I just purchased 3 Black Skirt Tetras for my new aquarium, and they seem to be chasing each other and sometimes even nipping. I was under the impression that Tetras were peaceful, community starter fish, so I am surprised by this aggression. How can I prevent it?
2007-05-21 06:56:16 · 13 answers · asked by Emily E 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Tetras are a mildly aggressive schooling fish. This is normal behavior for theem, they're just sorting out who's the boss in their group. It's really best if you keep tetras and other fish with this type if personality in a group of at least five - that way the aggression is spread out more among the fish.
2007-05-21 07:05:50 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
A lot of times, fish no matter how calm will chase and nip each other just to show dominance and show that they run that tank. You may have more males than females or visa versa. There's this calming agent you can get at any local pet store...I can't think of the exact name of it right now for some reason but it's in a little plastic tube and it's BLUE. The bottle is clear witha white cap but the liquid inside is dark BLUE. Drop a few drops p/how many gallons the tank is and that'll calm them immediately and it also promotes breeding if that's something you want to do. If breeding isn't something you want, get a small jar...trap the "mean fish" in that jar and put it upside down in the bottom of the tank..."sort of like a jail"...keep them in there for a day or two and that'll teach them not to do that...you may have to do it a couple times b4 they learn but trust me....they will learn.
2007-05-21 14:06:46 · answer #2 · answered by KPG 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give them time. They are just getting used to the new surroundings. If it continues at the end of the week... go get a few more and see how they do with them. It may be that they don't feel there is enough for a school. Tetras are schooling fish. Relax though. Wait and see how things go.
2007-05-21 14:02:57 · answer #3 · answered by Sara 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They usually tend to do that sometimes....depends how often they chase each other, if they chase each other a lot there is some conflict going on. Also how big tank space do they all have? Are they all the same type of tetras? Also if they are, it can be there age groups. In other words, Bulleying.
2007-05-21 14:07:31 · answer #4 · answered by sTeViE b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Skirt tetras are quite nippy, but usually just amongst themselves.
Mine have never injured eachother but they chase eachother around all the time. Keeping a group of at least 5 will help spread out the aggresion.
2007-05-21 14:13:44 · answer #5 · answered by evil_lasha 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like normal Black Skirt Tetra behavior. They are a little nippy, towards their own kind. They school very closely. They remind me of Danio behavior. This isn't aggression. This is playing.
2007-05-21 14:38:13 · answer #6 · answered by JJB 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They should be fine, tetras are generally docile but all animals have a pecking order, fish get stressed very easily, they will need time to adapt to their new environment, i had the same problem they should be fine in time
2007-05-21 14:11:09 · answer #7 · answered by Des 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF The tank is about 5 gallon thats why, Its too small, tetras like a lot of swiming room it could also be that there just settling in
2007-05-21 14:06:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
they could just be getting used to each other, give them some time. if that doesn't work you might try getting a few more. sometimes when there's a whole school of them they settle down. make sure you have enough room in you tank though.
2007-05-21 16:46:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My Tetras often chase each other.
I think it's normal.
Ãübblëš
2007-05-21 20:38:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋