Stressed Fish, Dying Plants...

[fish nutter]

hi every one i have a 250L / 52 Gal tank and my fish have been hiding in a rock cave for some time (all 12 of my rummynose tetras). i decided to get plants to make them feel more secure so i bought a large sword, some crypts, java ferns and a Anubis. 2 weeks later they are still hiding and the sword is turning yellow and has holes in it, java ferns developing black spots. they come out only when the lights are turned off (the double light hood). I have added drifwood today hoping they will get more confident.

I am starting to think lack of fish is the problem as i only have rummynose tetras (12) in this huge tank (gradually increasing stocking)... what do you guys think?

Thanks

here are some pics...

Sorry about the quality

 

[spectrum]

You could increase stocking by a fair amount, however a group of 12 tetra should be fine, so the problem is probably lack of hiding places. You could try some 'dither' fish (Confident fish that the tetra will see out in the open, and assume its safe) such as a group zebra danios. The sword plant you have (Echinodorus...) might lose all of its leaves the start growing from the remains. Cut off the leaves that are yellow, these plants cannot heal their leaves. The black spots on the java fern are normal, I think. However you should tie your fern, and the Anubis, to some driftwood, where it will root itself and grow.
Another thing you could do is add even more plants, and caves and wood. Your tank is still quite empty in terms of decor. Try adding some tall and dense plants, such as a load Vallis, or an Amazon Sword (Sword gets VERY big and dense, its hard to find an image of a big one, but they can reach 2ft+).
Not sure if its true but I think a background on the tank (as simple as a sheet of black paper stuck to the back) can make some fish more confident, as they feel less exposed.
Hope this helps

 

[fish nutter]

You could increase stocking by a fair amount, however a group of 12 tetra should be fine, so the problem is probably lack of hiding places. You could try some 'dither' fish (Confident fish that the tetra will see out in the open, and assume its safe) such as a group zebra danios. The sword plant you have (Echinodorus...) might lose all of its leaves the start growing from the remains. Cut off the leaves that are yellow, these plants cannot heal their leaves. The black spots on the java fern are normal, I think. However you should tie your fern, and the Anubis, to some driftwood, where it will root itself and grow.
Another thing you could do is add even more plants, and caves and wood. Your tank is still quite empty in terms of decor. Try adding some tall and dense plants, such as a load Vallis, or an Amazon Sword (Sword gets VERY big and dense, its hard to find an image of a big one, but they can reach 2ft+).
Not sure if its true but I think a background on the tank (as simple as a sheet of black paper stuck to the back) can make some fish more confident, as they feel less exposed.
Hope this helps

helps a lot... fish shops in NZ are not supplied the best, both fish and plant wise. However i will do my best

Thanks for the detailed reply

 

[Harlequins]

How often do you keep Your light on? my tetras sometimes do tend to hide under the leaves if the lights are on too much,and become much more active once the lights are off...

 

[fish nutter]

How often do you keep Your light on? my tetras sometimes do tend to hide under the leaves if the lights are on too much,and become much more active once the lights are off...

Lately i have been keeping the more natural light tube on instead of the more harsh blue spectrum one as well. It is on for 6-8 hours a day depending on weekends .

Thanks