Funny behaviour in a neon

[sammydee]

Hi, I've got ten neons new in my tank, been there about a week. One of them won't shoal with the others and stays by himself hiding all the time and his mouth is always opening and shutting all the time - the other fish don't do that. I have not seen him eat but that does not mean he doesn't.

Is there something wrong with him?

Sam.

 

[WILDER]

It's quite common to have a loner of the group, as he still got colour in his red stripe, and can you post water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, how long has the tank been set up, just to make sure that water quality is fine.

 

[yvez9]

Neons usually need a mature tank (5-6months old)
but some people have managed to put them in freshly cycled tanks without problems

I have glolight tetras and i have one of them that's always away from the others. Shoaling fish will usually take their distance if they feel safe so i guess it's normal

 

[yvez9]

Neons usually need a mature tank (5-6months old)
but some people have managed to put them in freshly cycled tanks without problems

I have glolight tetras and i have one of them that's always away from the others. Shoaling fish will usually take their distance if they feel safe so i guess it's normal

 

[sammydee]

Well nitrites and ammonia are zero, nitrates are around 40ppm. I need to change the water really to get the nitrates down. His red stripe is very slightly see-through, but still has plenty of colour.

 

[WILDER]

As long as his red stripe hasn't faded there is nothing to worry about, you do get the odd tetra thats likes to be on its own, have you noticed the neons staying up longer, as i find they like to go to sleep fairly early.