hello there i have set up my tank and everything is fine ph wish and all the rest! i have introduced some neon tetras and a pleco i dont know if this is right but the neons always stay at the bottom of the tank just under the filter and only move when feeding!! is this natural?? please help ive never kept my own fish before!!!
Help With Fish Im New
- Thread starter bananacat
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ncjharris
Fish Addict
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Hi there!
Welcome to the forums!
The first place I would point you in the direction of is the pinned posts in the FAQ sections. Have a read of them, esp about fishless cycling, tank maintainence and the like.
here and here and
here.
Now onto your tank.
Neons are quite delicate fish. They are reccomended for tanks that have been set up and allowed to mature for at least several months. Coupled with this that your tank may not have cycled and you may have some poorly fish.
Give us some more info and we'll be able to help you some more.
What size is your tank (litres)?
What type of plec do you have?
Do you have a water testing kit? If so, what (exactly) are your readings?
Don't panic, I am sure we'll be able to get you on the right track soon!!
Welcome to the forums!
The first place I would point you in the direction of is the pinned posts in the FAQ sections. Have a read of them, esp about fishless cycling, tank maintainence and the like.
here and here and
here.
Now onto your tank.
Neons are quite delicate fish. They are reccomended for tanks that have been set up and allowed to mature for at least several months. Coupled with this that your tank may not have cycled and you may have some poorly fish.
Give us some more info and we'll be able to help you some more.
What size is your tank (litres)?
What type of plec do you have?
Do you have a water testing kit? If so, what (exactly) are your readings?
Don't panic, I am sure we'll be able to get you on the right track soon!!
i have only had the fish in a day or so my tank is 59 liters and i havnt tested the amonia and nitrate levels but the ph is fine th
the pleco is an albino pleco thats all i know
i cycled my tank for 2 weeks
catxx
Fish Gatherer
i would get an ammonia & nitrate/ite test done asap.
like ncjharris said, neons are sensitive and their behaviour is not normal, when they huddle like that it shows that something is definately up.
how many are "some" neon tetras?
like ncjharris said, neons are sensitive and their behaviour is not normal, when they huddle like that it shows that something is definately up.
how many are "some" neon tetras?
It could well be that your neons are just settling in. Do you have a group of them? They feel better in a shoal, of 6 + fish.
Is the light in your tank quite bright? Do you have any areas of shade or little corners for them to hide themselves away in? They will feel more confident if there are some retreats.
Is the filter creating much current? It could be the water is too turbulent for them. I assume they are tiny ones as you've only just bought them.
It's been only a day, they are probablly just checking out there new home from a safe little "cave" under the filter.
Is the light in your tank quite bright? Do you have any areas of shade or little corners for them to hide themselves away in? They will feel more confident if there are some retreats.
Is the filter creating much current? It could be the water is too turbulent for them. I assume they are tiny ones as you've only just bought them.
It's been only a day, they are probablly just checking out there new home from a safe little "cave" under the filter.
ncjharris
Fish Addict
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Ok, where to start!
To ensure your tank is cycled, you need to test your water stats. While testing your ph is good, you need to be on top of your ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels. These are very important to maintaining an aquarium.
You should test your water asap to make sure they are ok.
Cycling a tank for 2 weeks is good - but you need to make sure you came out the other side with the right results.
Your tank is around 15 gallons. Depending on the amount of neons you have and the type of plec you may be a little overstocked.
I reccomend in the interim, before you know your water results, you carry out a 50% water change and replace it with conditioned water. My gut feeling at this point is that your tank may not have been cycled for the full bioload you put in the tank.
To ensure your tank is cycled, you need to test your water stats. While testing your ph is good, you need to be on top of your ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels. These are very important to maintaining an aquarium.
You should test your water asap to make sure they are ok.
Cycling a tank for 2 weeks is good - but you need to make sure you came out the other side with the right results.
Your tank is around 15 gallons. Depending on the amount of neons you have and the type of plec you may be a little overstocked.
I reccomend in the interim, before you know your water results, you carry out a 50% water change and replace it with conditioned water. My gut feeling at this point is that your tank may not have been cycled for the full bioload you put in the tank.
tetraqueen
Fish Addict
Hi ,
I too had neons as my first fish and lost one up the filter. He was small and died sucked to the side of it .
It was suggested I cover it with nylons which i didn't but got a sock from the shop.
I have had mine now since April, I have an old boat that is apart in two and also have a log that they love to stay under. They are shy fish at first but recently they have settled. They adore blood worms as a treat once a week. The plec is fine with them . Just watch as they can get eaten by other non community fish, (usually coded red) as neon are usually green. I love some fish in the shop but its worth doing research as to how many to have and what works well with them.
Its a good hobby but if you care you are bound to worry. I am new to the forum also My advice is read the advice they are all the same.. MAD ABOUT FISH. so passions arise. I am very proud to say that I have had all my questions answered and am a bit biased but this is a good site. Enjoy.
tetraqueen
Fish Addict
I would say they have had on and of settles, they did not like new fish added and I did this over a period of time.
They will settle within a month or so. Routine I think is what I would recommend and the least disturbance although my children are noisy I think they dont mind this as its the norm and they do not touch the tank.
I once read on a website this is a lazy hobby and a lot of people seem to have a lot of problems. I think the least you do the better and routine lighting,feeding and cleaning are what will get you there.
Try to enjoy them whether they hide or are swimming around.
They will say I am mad but despite stereotyping each species........!!! say no more!!! Like humans ALL have individual characters and that as life should be...........They are living creatures.
no no dont get me long i love them i was just worried something might be wrong but seems they are getting more active as time goes by thank you for your advice
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