Cardinal Tetras Colour/shy

[sp8600]

My 180l tank has been set up for about 8 months now and in that time I've had 12 cardinal tetras and 3 clown loach.

The problem seems to be with the cardinals. Even though they have been in the tank for 8 months they are still very shy, hiding most of the time, do not move a lot and do not seem to have a good colour on them. I have not lost any fish at all in the 8 months and all water tests are showing good water quality.

The tank has one power head which is on 24/7 and has about 8 hours of light per day. Temperature is about 24/25c. It's not live planted but has rocks and fake plants with lots of area to swim.

Does anyone have any ideas what the issue could be?

Thanks

 

[creeker]

Can you define good water quality with the readings?

 

[creeker]

Can you define good water quality with the readings? Especially the PH and hardness.

 

[sp8600]

Just checked the flow rate of the powerhead. Deals below...

It's a koralia evo 2800

Flowrate: 2800 l/h
Freshwater from 180 to 330l.

Could this be too powerful for the tank? If so what should I get?

 

[creeker]

The flow is not your problem.

 

[sp8600]

Can you define good water quality with the readings? Especially the PH and hardness.

PH 7.0
Ammonia 0.0
Nitrite 0.0
Nitrate 5.0

 

[creeker]

Could be the PH. Cardinals like it lower. How about the hardness? They will survive at where you have them, but if you want full color and behavior you might need to lower it. Just my opinion. I have also noticed that fish seem to color up more when live plants are in the tank, but I have no science to back up why.

 

[sp8600]

We do have soft water in this area. How about using the food that states it brings out colours? Does that stuff actually make a difference?

 

[creeker]

Yes. That food can make a difference. Also, I'm sure you know that adding more Cardinals will help with the color too. A bigger school will feel more "comfortable," and the colors will sharpen. I noticed this when resaling them. When the tank dwindled down to a dozen or so, the colors faded. When we got new ones in, the faded ones colored back up.

 

[sp8600]

Yes. That food can make a difference. Also, I'm sure you know that adding more Cardinals will help with the color too. A bigger school will feel more "comfortable," and the colors will sharpen. I noticed this when resaling them. When the tank dwindled down to a dozen or so, the colors faded. When we got new ones in, the faded ones colored back up.

Thanks, I'm going to guess that will make them more confident about swimming in the open too... I'm understocked as it is so will get a few mor and see if that cures the problem

 

[creeker]

Just be really careful about where you buy them from. If there is only one sick in the dealer's tank, don't buy any. Also try to buy them a week after they get them in (ask what day they get their delivery, then buy them one day before they get their new delivery) Good luck!

 

[fishyfeet]

good food quality+good water quality + plenty of plants+lots of friends = happy fish

 

[CrazyAirborne]

i think sometime fish become shy if they dont have alot of movement or interaction OUTSIDE the tank. if they never see you walk by, the few times you do, they will be nervous and hide. Ive had to deal with this with one of my tanks, and its frustrating. the fish are slowly learning, but it takes time.

 

[Frazzledazzle]

Could be the PH. Cardinals like it lower. How about the hardness? They will survive at where you have them, but if you want full color and behavior you might need to lower it. Just my opinion. I have also noticed that fish seem to color up more when live plants are in the tank, but I have no science to back up why.

The PH out of the taps in my area is 7.5 and i have 7 Cardinals at the moment who never lose their colour. I do keep them with live plants, and give bloodworm/mosquito larvae often.

 

[sp8600]

i think sometime fish become shy if they dont have alot of movement or interaction OUTSIDE the tank. if they never see you walk by, the few times you do, they will be nervous and hide. Ive had to deal with this with one of my tanks, and its frustrating. the fish are slowly learning, but it takes time.

The tank is in a very high traffic area so don't think that could be the problem... Unless it's having adverse effects.