General Advice

[StevenCumming]

Hello, I currently have a 34 litre (~10 gallons for you American's) freshwater tropical tank. The tank is cycled and all the levels are fine, considering that it is rain collected water.
 
I have had the tank for 3 months, and put in 4 serpae tetras after one month, to see how they would go. They are all healthy, happy, and active fish. About 3 weeks ago, I have added a bristenose catfish, and two silvertip tetras (I knew that there was a possibility that they wouldn't school with the others when I bought them!). The catfish has only started to come out of hiding in the last week or so, and is always out eating the small amount of algea off of the glass, rocks, and basically everything in the tank. The two silvertips is where my dilemma starts...
 
One of the silvertips is a male because of the copper colour, and the other female because it is silver. The male bullies, chases, and steals the female's food, so the female spends most of it's time hiding behind a plant. I'm not particularly fond of the copper one because it is an agressive little fish, that I'm sure would pick on the serpae tetra's if they weren't twice his size! He swims around happily with the other serpae tetras. Any suggestions what to do about this? I have considered the following:
 - I could get more of the silvertip tetra's so that they would feel less stressed, BUT the tank would then be over-crowded.
 - I could seperate the male inside the tank with mesh or something, BUT the female would still see it and could still be stressed
 - I could seperate the male outside the tank in a jar, and hook up an air line, and a water feed for a few days to see how the female reacts, BUT that would be a pain for a fish that only cost $3
 - I could simply take the risk and remove the male completely.
 
I should probably also mention the specs of the tank, so it has a 30 watt heater (I know it is a little too small for the tank, but it still works great!), a powerhead and filter built into the hood, that has a 3 layer media setup, and also a compact fluorescent light. I have gravel, a fake plant but considering getting some java moss, and cleaned / boiled river rocks. There is also an air pump with a long airstone, that I have set to the almost lowest flow.
 
Any help / comments / suggestions would be greatly apprechiated!

 

[Lolly123]

To be honest in regards to the silver tips, this is what happens when you run the risk of not keeping fish in appropriate group sizes. I would say that you should take them both back to the LFS, I also feel that silver tips need more room than what you have got.

I also feel the same about the BN, there is a lot of contradiction in terms of tank size, but I wouldn't want to put one in anything less than 20G. In my opinion BN's also need bogwood, they rasp on it as it aids their digestion. I know people keep them without it, but my BN was around or on the bogwood nearly 90% of the time.

I don't mean to sound rude, but I would advise you to re-think your stocking. If you can't upgrade to something that will give you more freedom then I'd say you need to find fish which are suitable for your tank.

 

[FishGO]

Got a tank a little larger than yours (50L), equally as in-experienced as you really.. but had it up and running for 2months now here's what i done and its worked well.
 
After around 10-15 days i added 3 silver tip tetra(2 male 1 female), they have grown a reasonable amount already and are very happy in the tank. Around 10-12 days later i added 3 blackwidow tetra (1albino) and have settled in really well with the silver tips, all eating away and dont get in each others way, plenty of plants and ornaments for them to remain occupied and are full of life.
 
1 of the males chases the female all over the tank at certain times during the day, but she gets her share of food and seems happy enough.
 
2 female dwarf gouramis then added around 2 weeks later, sadly one died last night, asked for help in another thread but hey ho it happens, tried my best! First fish to die and was totally outwith of my control.
 
Added a very young BN a few days ago and has settled in well, in generaly my tank is running really well currently (IMO). live plants, lightings good, right temp. and everyones eating.. happy days!
 
Possible to add another 1-2 silver tip? Think in general there should be atleast 4-5?...

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I would have to agree with Lolly and say your tank is becoming close to being overstocked. Yes, your filter maybe big enough to support the bio-load, but i don't think the size (and dimensions) of your tank will be suitable for those fish in time to come. I have a 30L corner tank which now houses a male Betta but when i started fishkeeping i stocked it with totally the wrong fish...i took the best option and upgraded the size of my tank.
Also, if you have your own water test kit, post the results of Ammonia, NitrIte and NitrAte, it could help in solving your issue/s. Adding your water change regime could also answer many questions.
 
Terry.