Hi everyone.
Last week I decided to upgrade from a coldwater to a tropical tank (simple job of fitting a heater). I basically started from scratch again; cleaned out the tank, washed all the gravel and filled it with tap water + stress coat/zyme).
2 days ago I went to the local petstore and bought my first collection of tropical fish; according to the advisor instore 5 neon tetras and 2 male guppies would fit in my Baby Biorb (yes I know all about how crappy these tanks are, but I have little choice; blame the landlord for not allowing larger tanks in the house ¬_¬). I should note that I explained everything to the advisor, from tank size to how long I had set the tropical tank up for etc etc; I even raised concerns about overcrowding but she was insistent that the aforementioned amount would fit easily in the tank.
After the first day they were fine; swimming about happily. Now though I've noticed that my guppies are exhibiting strange behaviour. One of them (the leopard tailed one) was nipping the fins of the other guppy (the orange/ginger colored one =P), and in addition the leopard one was torturing the poor tetras =/
Now though, its almost reversed. Within half an hour of feeding the fish the orange one is now chasing the tetras/leopard guppy about mercilessly here, nipping at their tail fins.....
Furthermore, both guppies are swimming strangely, almost skittish (like a loach or something), and changing direction constantly.
I'm honestly at a loss as to whats causing this aggressive behaviour.
Details (water included):
-15ltr Baby Biorb
-50watt Theo heater (set to 28 degrees centigrade at present)
- PH 7.5
- Ammonia (<0.1ppm)
- Nitrite (0ppm)
- Nitrate (0ppm)
I understand that they haven't been in the tank for long enough to properly have it cycled, but I dont think the water quality is to blame here...
I just fed them there in an attempt to possibly calm the guppys down (and also added a wee bit of fish tonic).
But aye, any suggestions on what the problem might be? Im hoping its just the stress of a new home thats causing this aggression =(
UPDATE - there seems to be a lull in the bullying at the moment. About 20 minutes after posting this the guppies are now swimming around the tank together, and the tetras are happily swimming around the middle =)
Last week I decided to upgrade from a coldwater to a tropical tank (simple job of fitting a heater). I basically started from scratch again; cleaned out the tank, washed all the gravel and filled it with tap water + stress coat/zyme).
2 days ago I went to the local petstore and bought my first collection of tropical fish; according to the advisor instore 5 neon tetras and 2 male guppies would fit in my Baby Biorb (yes I know all about how crappy these tanks are, but I have little choice; blame the landlord for not allowing larger tanks in the house ¬_¬). I should note that I explained everything to the advisor, from tank size to how long I had set the tropical tank up for etc etc; I even raised concerns about overcrowding but she was insistent that the aforementioned amount would fit easily in the tank.
After the first day they were fine; swimming about happily. Now though I've noticed that my guppies are exhibiting strange behaviour. One of them (the leopard tailed one) was nipping the fins of the other guppy (the orange/ginger colored one =P), and in addition the leopard one was torturing the poor tetras =/
Now though, its almost reversed. Within half an hour of feeding the fish the orange one is now chasing the tetras/leopard guppy about mercilessly here, nipping at their tail fins.....
Furthermore, both guppies are swimming strangely, almost skittish (like a loach or something), and changing direction constantly.
I'm honestly at a loss as to whats causing this aggressive behaviour.
Details (water included):
-15ltr Baby Biorb
-50watt Theo heater (set to 28 degrees centigrade at present)
- PH 7.5
- Ammonia (<0.1ppm)
- Nitrite (0ppm)
- Nitrate (0ppm)
I understand that they haven't been in the tank for long enough to properly have it cycled, but I dont think the water quality is to blame here...
I just fed them there in an attempt to possibly calm the guppys down (and also added a wee bit of fish tonic).
But aye, any suggestions on what the problem might be? Im hoping its just the stress of a new home thats causing this aggression =(
UPDATE - there seems to be a lull in the bullying at the moment. About 20 minutes after posting this the guppies are now swimming around the tank together, and the tetras are happily swimming around the middle =)
