Serpae Tetra

[Mickfender]

Hi just noticed one of my serpae tetra has gone a bit lighter in colour than the others it looks quite pale, its also hiding at back of tank away from the others, this tetra is a bit smaller than the others but usually they are all together bickering.When i put food in he was out eating no probs then went back into plants at back, any thoughts on this change in colour and behaviour. Thanks Mick.

 

[KittyKat]

Full stock and set-up details, please.

 

[Mickfender]

Should have put this in at start. Fluval 125 tank, tetratec ex700 filter. The tank was cycled without fish for about 3 months,now been running about 8 month. Ive got 8 serpae tetra, 6 sterbai cory, 6 female endlers, 6 young albino cory, and about 10 red cherry shrimp. My stats are ammonia 0 nitrite 0 and nitrates about 40, the tap water has nitrates at about 40. My tank is quite heavily planted, with sand substrate. All the other fish seem fine just this one tetra has changed. Thanks Mick

 

[KittyKat]

Is he scared of you?

Otherwise, probably the others are picking on him when you aren't looking, especially if he is the smallest.

 

[waterdrop]

Serpae always find a way to be mean, even when you are doing everything right and have 8 (Sorry, just trying to be funny and don't mean it at the expense of the little fellow and actually I think Serpae are quite beautiful and am glad that -somebody- here is keeping some! Agree they are probably picking. WD

 

[shasm]

I had just done a water change and general cleaning, when I got done I noticed one of mine was paler than the others. That was about 3 hours ago, he is already getting his color back. They are mean little rascals.

 

[KittyKat]

I actually used to keep them a few years ago too, waterdrop, lovely fish! I only stopped keeping them because I wanted to try some new fish.. by that point, mine were 13 years old, if the previous owner was to be believed.

Mickfender, is it possible for you to get another two which are the same size as the smaller one?

 

[waterdrop]

Yeah, I kept them in the 60's (during my former stretch in the hobby) and loved how deep the colors could get. That was before I understood minimal shoaling principles and so I would keep 3 or a similar type number and of course they would ravage other fish that I put in the tank. Serpae (and Lemons to a certain extent, and others of course) are among the strongest exhibitors of the min shoal principle I feel. I've often felt that among the tetras the genetic streak of this trait seems to follow the vertical pancake shaped tetras more than the torpedo shaped ones - do you feel the same or am I just generalizing too much? (I guess black skirts would be the third strongest of this trait in my mind along with the serpae and lemon, although I think of them a little differently somehow.)

~~waterdrop~~

 

[KittyKat]

waterdrop, I notice the same almost every time. This is why I think rasboras are such a great exception, especially the more peaceful, pancake shaped ones.. best of both worlds.

 

[Gilli]

I love my Serpaes! I have a schoal of 10 and find that they are fine with all my other fish and only 2 of them always seem to be posturing and chasing each other for dominance - they never do each other any harm and I find them very endearing. They can change their deepness of colour according to their mood! As you say the colours are amazing and I think they bring a lot of movement to the tank - wouldnt be without them!

 

[Mickfender]

Thanks for all the replies, i have bought another 2, tried to get close to same size but i think they quite a bit smaller. My tank is heavily planted so plenty of places to hide, just floating them in tank at moment will see what happens in a few hours. Cheers Mick

 

[waterdrop]

waterdrop, I notice the same almost every time. This is why I think rasboras are such a great exception, especially the more peaceful, pancake shaped ones.. best of both worlds.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Rasboras have grown and grown in my personal index of tropical fish with good characteristics. You may find this funny but years ago during my first stretch I constantly saw pictures of rasbora heteromorpha in books but could never actually put my hands on any anywhere I lived and so I built up this great desire for them but never had any (and that was despite quite a few years of keeping.) Finally, in my new "Re-Beginner" life in the last few years I was of course determined this wouldn't happen again. So I have have a shoal and indeed another batch in my Qtank itching to join the display tank. Now it may partly be this tale I've described causing some bias on my part but several things have happened: They (the harlequins) are indeed every bit as strangely beautiful as I always hoped, the pink/orange color combination seems so unusual but ultimately is something extremely natural and similar to a true sunset. Another surprise for me is how hardy they are - I've said it here before but I now consider them to be a better first introduction fish to a new tank than danios are (and that's saying something!)

I've greatly appreciated the suggestions I've seen you (KK!) make about -other- rasboras, especially the smaller ones that are very helpful for beginners with smaller tanks and the associated problems small tanks bring to stocking plans! I really should make time to explore the various types of rasboras more. I assume there's one of the species subforums for them? And are you a participant there? Anyway thanks again for your sharing and suggestions.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Mickfender]

Just to update, adding the other 2 serpae seems to have worked as now the one that hid a lot is with the group more and has got his colour back. He still hides a bit but not as much, Cheers Mick

 

[waterdrop]

Glad to hear it Mick