Neon Tetra Question

[britt]

I have a 20 gallon planted tank with one very calm red tail shark 7 ghost shrimp and 3 neons, yes im aware I need 3 more for a school. I bought one of the neons last night, my water conditions are perfect and I use RO water in my aquarium. The new tetra looks healthy great color and seems to be eating, but im concerned because it looks like its constantly chewing, is it sick possibly trying to breath, it also seems to kind twich its fins,maybe just to stay in one place, looks heathy otherwise just concerned about the one issue, I put stress coat in the tank as well and the temp is at 77 degrees F. Any info is much appreciated.

 

[fluttermoth]

Welcome to the forum, britt.
 
What were the actual numbers from your tests (especially ammonia and nitrite)?
 
Are you adding anything to the RO water?

 

[ncguppy830]

+1
but the red tailed shark needs a 55 gallon or bigger.

 

[wrightt3]

+1
but the red tailed shark needs a 55 gallon or bigger.

Not only this but it will likely become to aggressive to keep with the neons

 

[britt]

red tail is still small and used to be in a four gallon but not my worry ammonia and nitrite 0 nitrate 10 no additives to the RO water

 

[ncguppy830]

well its regardless of his size that he needs to be in a 55 gallon.

 

[britt]

ok ill move him, I would really like to know about the tetra though.

 

[fluttermoth]

I think your problem is that, if you're not adding any remineralising salts, your water is too pure. Fish need a certain amount of trace minerals in the water to stay healthy.
 
The shock of going from the shop tank to yours is what's set off the odd behaviour.

 

[britt]

ok so I need to start drip acclimating them, also there is still some conditioned tap water in there its not totally cycled out.

 

[wrightt3]

55g is recommended due to how territorial they are. They are not that big (grow to 6 inches) or overly active though so a 20g long should be okay for a while unless/until he starts attacking your other fish.

 

[fluttermoth]

ok so I need to start drip acclimating them, also there is still some conditioned tap water in there its not totally cycled out.

Yes, probably a good idea. You will need to either mix your RO with some tap water or add something; if you want soft water, there are discus salts, which won't push the hardness/pH up too much.

 

[Ruskull]

I'd like to add that Neon Tetras, as well as many other Tetras, tend to twitch/flick sometimes for no apparent reason.  It may be how they show off to each other.............
 
Is it only one of them that does this?

Oh, and Fluttermoth is right, probably not used to your water yet.  What's the pH at?  The pet store probably had theirs at a neutral 7.0 or so.

 

[britt]

ph is 7.2

thanks for all the help guys, I heard mention of something called tetra disease or neon tetra disease, something like that does that exist? 

 

[Ruskull]

Yes, although I know very little about it, sorry.  Luckily I haven't had that happen to any of mine.  My Neons last a couple of years, grow big & fat & die.

 

[britt]

ok thank you all