How Long For New Fish To Settle Down?

[KCB]

I bought 4 Black Phantom Tetras (3 female, 1 male) 4 days ago now and they still haven't settled down as much as I'd hoped. They are in a bare quarantine tank with two artificial plants, filter and a heater. Temp is 24oC. Filter is cycled and ammonia and nitrite both came back as zero. And yes I dechlorinated the water . I feed them once a day on a small amount of aquarian flakes.

It's been a while since I've had new fish and these guys have been spending some of their time swimming rapidly up and down the length of the tank with a slight tilt. Also their colours are pretty faded.

I'm sure they are just stressed, but how long will they take to settle down? And is the tilting thing anything to be concerned about?

Thanks.

 

[nigsy]

I've got Phantoms and they are pretty active.

When you say 'tilting' is this with their fins spread open? If it is then this is normal behavior and is just 'displaying'.

The colour may be down to poor diet before you got them, and should return after a couple of weeks in a settled environment.

 

[yfaris67]

i think they are fine as long as they are active, swimming along the glass of the aquarium is normal for all fish. I agree with Fish Fantastic, mabye the food you have isn't neutritious. go to a pet store and get some brind shimp or blood worms or something that the pet clerk recommends. by the way, is that heater in your aquarium submersable? i see that is completely underwater. i dont think that's good.

 

[KCB]

I've got Phantoms and they are pretty active.

When you say 'tilting' is this with their fins spread open? If it is then this is normal behavior and is just 'displaying'.

The colour may be down to poor diet before you got them, and should return after a couple of weeks in a settled environment.

I mean tilting as in they aren't in an upright position but are slightly tilted to one side. For example instead of being like this | they may swim up and down the tank like this / But it only happens occasionally and has become less frequent so I'll assume it's stress. Thanks for the help

.

And faris, he meant the LFS food wasn't nutritious, not my own . And most fish tank heaters are fully submersible, especially ones of this design.

 

[nigsy]

I think they will be fine.
Just keep an eye on them for a few days. Like I say they do display and tilt over (/) with their fins fully spread, they will also mirror each other doing it, so don't be alarmed if they all start doing it.....it's not contagious!!!

@Faris...These heaters are designed to be fully submersed..it is dangerous to run them when they are not

 

[KCB]

Thanks nigsy, they seem to have calmed down a lot today and are eating well so I was probably worrying too much as usual .

Here's a picture of the little guys and gals in case anyone wants a peek.

 

[yfaris67]

aaaw, so cute! i might get some of those!

 

[KCB]

aaaw, so cute! i might get some of those!

They're pretty cool fish, I'd definitely recommend them .

 

[Skal]

I had some of those a few years ago. They aren't very calm fish they swim a lot and love to swim every where! So it might be just normal that they are so active.

 

[KCB]

The one I have in my big tank is very docile. She never moves from her usual spot near some bog wood, but I think she is an old gal and she's on her own so that might be why, I'm hoping these new additions will perk her up!

 

[Skal]

nice background paper, is of the Grand Canyon or some Canyon? Obviously your tank looks totally awesome, nice theme!

 

[fluttermoth]

I think the lack of substrate and, possibly, cover might be making them extra nervous. i know you want QT to be easy to clean, but a sprinkling of sand or gravel might make them a bit happier.

Perhaps a few more plants or flowerpots would help too.

 

[KCB]

nice background paper, is of the Grand Canyon or some Canyon? Obviously your tank looks totally awesome, nice theme!

Thanks! It's of the monument valley in Arizona. I went on a trip there in June and had such an amazing time I decided to design a new fish tank around it

I think the lack of substrate and, possibly, cover might be making them extra nervous. i know you want QT to be easy to clean, but a sprinkling of sand or gravel might make them a bit happier.

Perhaps a few more plants or flowerpots would help too.

I have a few more fake plants but they're too tall for the tank and I also have a clay flower pot I intended to use in the QT but it was used and I couldn't get all the soil out of the crevices

. Is there any other DIY hidey holes you would suggest?

 

[MBOU]

They just look nervous but so would i with a massive person looming up in front of me and not too many places to go! Phantoms just tend to go for the "sit really still and go really pale" approach for being unnoticed!

They look more than healthy to me

I would say it can take weeks for fish to settle in, especially nervous tetras and agreed with whoever said it, some fish hate seeing their reflection in to bottom glass, its got to be really disorientating and can make them more nervous...

 

[KCB]

They seem fine now, no erratic swimming and the male (who I was most concerned about) has his full colour back and has been displaying himself to the ladies .