my fish dont like their new tank

[akudewan]

Four days ago, I shifted my fish (one widow tetra, two rosy barbs, and a swordtail) from a larger tank to a smaller one.

My fish dont seem to like the smaller tank. They swim about real fast when I go near the tank. They detect food ages after I put it in the tank. Actually, its the rosy barbs that go all beserk, and the other two go beserk after seeing the barbs.

The temperature, pH, nitrate etc are all normal. It just seems to be the change of environment thats bothering them. I try to be as slow as possible when approaching them. But they just dont like their new home.

This tank has fewer plants compared to the older one. Will adding more plants help? I guess it should

PS: The bigger tank has discus now.

 

[jkun17]

Maybe they're aggrivated that they don't have as many hiding places anymore. Try punching a hole in a clay pot and using that as a hiding place. It'll take a little while for them to get accustomed to the smaller environment. It's kind of like moving into a smaller house, things are a bit more cramped, the fish you don't want to be around are closer than you wish they were, you don't know where anything is anymore etc.

 

[akudewan]

Yeah, thats a pretty good idea. thanks jkun

 

[trevo878]

How big are the tanks? If it is a really big difference, they probably wouldn't like the smaller tank.

 

[akudewan]

There is a huge difference actually. The bigger tank was 30x12x15 (inches) and the smaller one is 18x9x9. I put a few more plants at the corners, They have good hiding places now, and seem to be doing much better. I guess it'll be a few days and they'll adjust.

The swordtail has already chosen its favourite spot, its pretty calm now. Just the barbs have to settle down. The widow tertra is doing ok too.

 

[Ben]

the widow tetra(like all other tetras) should be in schools of six though and so should barbs as all those fish like schooling. but since your tank is only 6 gallons i think you should upgrade fast to atleast a 20 or maybe a 15 because the tank is too small.

and plus the discus shouldnt be in a 23 gal aswell (u.s gallons im talking in) as it is too small for them.

sorry if i sound like a meanie tyrant or something but its the truth and i just want your fish to be in good condition

HTH

DD

 

[freddyk]

I agree, that poor tetra will never really be comfortable till he has some friends. Schooling fish should only be kept in schools for their best interest.

 

[akudewan]

oh damn. I knew rosy barbs were schooling fish, so I've kept two (Yeah well, I know two fish isn't much of a school.). But I didn't know about widow tertas. But is there really any reason to panic? I've kept the widowed widow terta for so many months now, and it doesnt seem to mind.

As far as the discus are concerned, they are pretty happy, and they are still very small. Just an inch in diameter. I'll upgrade to a bigger tank once they get a little bigger.

 

[gale]

But is there really any reason to panic? I've kept the widowed widow terta for so many months now, and it doesnt seem to mind.

Just out of curiousity, how can you tell?

 

[freddyk]

However your tetra is getting along, I guarantee you would relieve it's stress levels immensly buy adding more. Besides, don't you find tetra's dull as single specimens?

By adding more you'll get to see the fish display more natural behavior. They'll follow each other around the tank, be less 'shy', and even fight amongst each other. The benefit ends up for both the fish and the aquarist

 

[akudewan]

Just out of curiousity, how can you tell?

I didn't know tetras were schooling fish. I've always kept two, though one of them died a few months ago. I didn't get a new one, because I was going to move them to a smaller tank. Also, the tetra wasn't showing any problems with food and its color was also pretty good. So I thought it was doing well.

Now the problem is that I can't keep more than 4 fish of that size in the small 6 gallon tank. The least I can do is get another tetra, so that it has a partner. I cant get a bigger tank. My parents would not allow me that.

It was a hasty decision on my part to move them to a smaller tank. I'll try to give these fish to a friend of mine who has a community tank. He has a few widow tetras, the albino ones.

So once I give these fish a better home, I can keep smaller fish like guppies or neon tetras in my smaller tank.

Thanks for all your help. Any other suggestions?

 

[Ben]

i knwo it sucks but its for the best to give the blackwidow away, doenst matter about the colour they will still school.

why cant you sell the 6 gal for a high price and buy a 20 or 15 with that?


DD

 

[freddyk]

One of the most popular choices for mini-tanks is white cloud minnows, they're sturdy and small, so you can keep a small bunch of them. Neon tetra's can be finicky, consider cardinals instead, they're much tougher. IMO in a small tank like this it's best to just choose one species of schooling fish, that way they can be kept in more appropriate numbers.

 

[akudewan]

I was thinking about zebra danios. How will they do?

 

[ferrikins]

I think Danois will find a 6g to small, as from exsperiance they like alot of swimming room to dart around in.


I don't want to sound mean but if your not aloud any more tanks, whats gonna happen to the Discus when they out grow the tank there in. To be honest I more worryed about the discue's than the fish in the 6G.

Also I sold my 6g, to be able to get my 12g, no not a big jump, but it only a fry tank, and it was a good comprimise.