One Fish Bullies Others...

[fidelio]

Hi all, and thanks in advance.
I thought I'd get some tropical fish. I liked the idea of a smallish tank with a lot of small brightly coloured fish. I got a 40l tank and followed all the instructions to let it mature. First I got two silver tipped tetras, then two male mollies, then five neon tetras. There are a couple of shrimps in there too.
My problem is this. One of the silver tip tetras just dominates the tank. It's like there's only one fish in it. He just patrols up and down while the others cower in the plants. If they dare show their faces he just charges at them. They seem to be getting enough food, as when I put the stuff in they all madly go for it, all the while being chased around by this bully fish. Then two minutes later the neon tetras, the mollies and the other sliver tip are hiding again while the thug fish patrols the tank.
It's sort of ruining it for me. Any ideas?

Sorry, total noob. Didn't know where to post this.

 

[SPLiSH]

Hi fidelio and to TFF!

When you say 'let the tank mature', what do you mean? Did you properly cycle it or just leave it to stand?

 

[fidelio]

Hi fidelio and to TFF!

When you say 'let the tank mature', what do you mean? Did you properly cycle it or just leave it to stand?

Hi, and thanks.
I set it up, turned on the filter and light, put the plants in, added some of that bacterial culture and a few flakes of food and let it run for about 3 weeks. I've had it now for about 3 months.

 

[Phoenixfish]

if theres been fish in there for 3 months id say its cycled, and do you mean a 'settled' tank i.e. for fish that need a mature tank? and i think the standard mesurment for a mature tank is 6 months but dont take my word for it

 

[OohFeeshy]

Unsuprising, this is what happens when you keep schooling fish not in a school. You can't do much about it, apart from adding more silvertip tetras which might work, but then again, he might decide to attack them too. Perhaps get 4 or so more, remove him from the tank for a few days then re-introduce him.

Welcome, BTW.

 

[Spader]

Welcome! does he ever bite any of the other fish yet?

 

[lilfishie]

you could just take the other fish back if its that big of a problem and find another less aggresive fish to replace it