Bullying

[raebot]

Hi, bit of an epic explanation:

After running my 25litre (6gal) tank for a few weeks i went to my lfs and they told me to buy a few tetras to start off the cycle. I did this, 3 neon tetras, and 3 glowlights, and the neons all died, which reading what you guys have written was likely to happen.
I planned to get some more glowlights as i was getting quite attatched to them.
However, my very sweet brother came back from the lfs buying me a present of:

3 black phantoms
3 fish that look like harlequins but are thinner
3 little tetra looking fish that are a seethrough orangey colour

And now I'm starting to see some problems.
The 9 smaller fish all school round together, but the black phantoms are having some problems.
The biggest one has very ragged fins, which i assume is from fish fighting back, as it chases the other two phantoms, and the other fish around the tank.
The other phantoms black spots and tail are very pale, they brighten up when they get fed and the big one leaves them alone, but he soon goes back to pushing them away and the two little ones tend to cower behind the filter.

Does anyone know what my mystery fish are?
And does anyone have any idea what i can do about my bullying phantom? (my boyfriend has named him Crazy Ivan)

Thankyou so much for your time

Rae
xxx

 

[Chri$]

I think your problem is that your tank is way over stocked.

If possible take all the fish back to your lfs - but keep the glowlights, a shoal of 4 - 6 would fully stock your tank.

IMO even then glowlights would prefer a tank of 10g+.

 

[xJake]

The only thing you can keep in that small of a tank is 1 dwarf puffer or 1 betta. Nothing else will live long in a tank that small. Also, don't subject fish to cycling conditions. Buy clear ammonia in the cleaning aisle at your local supermarket (shake it and if it doesn't foam it's ok; the ingredients should be water, and pure ammonia, and maybe a stabilizing agent of some kind, but it should be 3-or-less ingredients). Add 1 drop of clear ammonia to your tank every day until the ammonia and nitrite readings become zero. Then do a large (75-90%) before adding any fish. Don't stop adding ammonia until you put in the fish. Also, you probably have some of the more aggressive tetra that can get very nippy if kept in a small space; I would suggest rehoming them or returning them to the store.

 

[raebot]

Oh right, well thanks
thought it was overcrowded
think i'll just take everything back n try again in a few years
thanks for your help
rae

 

[deni]

Don't get too downhearted we all make mistakes. Though it is a very small tank. Just keep the glowlights they should be fine and they are really sweet, we've had some ever since our tank cycled 4 years ago.

 

[raebot]

Don't get too downhearted we all make mistakes. Though it is a very small tank. Just keep the glowlights they should be fine and they are really sweet, we've had some ever since our tank cycled 4 years ago.

thanks deni, I'm trying to rehouse my other fish now, i decided i liked my glowlights too much to give up.
Thanks for everyone for their comments, especially you deni, a bit of friendliness never goes amiss when your worrying about your fish goodluck with your glowlights
rae
xc