Cardinals, Are They Nippers?

[Biulu]

Actually, my question says it all... I have a set-up with cories, cardinals and a single male betta. Now since he has been in with the cardinals, his fins have been deteriorating fast and I have isolated him now to promote regrowth.

I would like to know whether anybody has experience with cardinals nipping other fish? If they are not,then the only other option is finrot, I'm afraid

 

[ellejay]

I think you might get a few different answers on this one... when I first put a betta in with cardinals, I was advised that they can be fin nippers and to tread carefully. Of course I went ahead and did it! I never saw any nipping, all fins were lovely and intact - if anything, the betta was the nipper when he was feeling grouchy! But for the most part they were fine together. Hope your guy gets better soon

 

[creeker]

How many Cardinals do you have? I noticed one or two of my Neons nipping until I raised the numbers up. They might be trying to get him to shoal with them.

 

[cynic]

Most Tetra are fin nippers just some are worse than others but generally they nip if they are stressed or in groups that are too small and they feel vulnerable.

 

[Biulu]

Thanks for the answers! I have 11 cardinals in a 20 gallon long tank, so the group is big enough. They share the tank with cories and the betta. Shared I should say because I took him out and put him on his own. He is not very agressive; before that I had him in with 4 small angels and nothing every happened.