Anti-social Tetra!

[sharkbutter]

I have a neat little school of Neon Tetras (5 of them) in a ten gallon tank. Four of them are thriving and schooling and one of them hangs out all day under the rock cave. No symptoms, no white spots, specks, red anything at all. He just stays in there all day and come out to eat (so he has an appetite) and his color is just fine.

What the heck? Is he being bullied? I am certainly no expert on fish psychology. This has been going on for about a week and a half. No tank parameters have changed and are all within normal range. But if the parameters were off, then wouldn't the other fish feel it too?

For now I have taken away the rock cave fixture in an effort to discourage hiding...but I have no idea if this is the right thing to do.

Any ideas would be wonderful!

 

[The young one]

I have 7 tetras and one of them is a billy no mates, it's just natural. If it is eating then it's fine he just isn't very good at making friends. He may become part of their shoal after a while, that's what happened to mine, now he's always swimming with them.

 

[sharkbutter]

I have 7 tetras and one of them is a billy no mates, it's just natural. If it is eating then it's fine he just isn't very good at making friends. He may become part of their shoal after a while, that's what happened to mine, now he's always swimming with them.

Oh wow, that is so tragically cute. I hope your right! Would he maybe do better in a school of 6? Thanks for the relief!

 

[The young one]

Well i did have eight to start with but one died, no diseases or anything, just started swimming on it's back.
Maybe a school of 6 would be better, but it's always best to buy them all at the same time because then they might have astablished a friendship in the lfs. How many litres is 10 gallon? Sorry i'm only 12 not very good at maths. If you did want to buy some more it would be best to buy 2 or 3 because then they would at least have a little shoal and eventually merge with the other shoal.

 

[WILDER]

His his red stripe area vibrant red.

 

[sharkbutter]

Are his red striped area vibrant red? Totally fine. he looks just as brilliant as everyone else.

And ten gallon is about 38 liters. Not quite big enough to justify 3 more tetras....

 

[WILDER]

Just keep a close eye on him. If any changes get back to the board.

 

[sharkbutter]

Taking the cave out of there seems to have had an effect. They are schooling better now. Seems like the cave was sort of like a crutch for th elittle guy. If he changes, I will let you know!

 

[WILDER]

Now he's ok I would put the cave back.
Some tetra do like to hide away.
Neons only shoal when stressed.