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Have a question about my tetras fins

3K views 6 replies 3 participants last post by  SomeDudeAtHome 
#1 ·
Hey everyone, first off I am new here. Even though I've been reading on the forum for a while this is my first post. Usually my questions are answered without having to post but I need a little clarification with this one.

I have a 10 gallon tank and in it are 2 Black skirt highfin tetras, two swordtails, and 2 kribs. Each are paired male and female. I know kribs can be slightly aggressive but all the fish have been together in the tank for a while now and haven't had a problem. I do routine water changes every week to make sure my water quality is good.

Anyway, within the past week or so I've noticed that the female tetras fins are getting a little tattered looking. The males are fine though. From the searching I've done I've only found things on tattered fins with Beta fish called fins rot and the only treatments have beta in the name. So, is this fin rot with the tetra or are the other fish nipping at it? If it is fin rot can I use one of those treatments on the tetra too?

Thanks in advance I know this was a kind of lengthy post.
 
#2 ·
Welcome to TFK, dude. That wasn't a lengthy post at all, and never apologize for the size of a post!!
I'm thinking that a 10gl is pretty tight quarters for that many fish, especially a mated pair of kribs. Are the kirbs a proven pair, or juvies coming into their own?
In a tank that size with those particular fish (and if you are staying on top of water quality) I suspect fin nipping. Any way to post a pic of the tattered fish? I'm a firm believer in good clean water, and lots of it, to repair tattered fins. Either way, you do have too many fish in such tight quarters. The only way to relieve/ensure that your tank gets and stays healthy is to possibly rehome some fish, or better yet, upgrade to a much larger tank!
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the help.

I should have mentioned that the Kribs are both still pretty young. I'd say they've been with my other fish for about 3-4 weeks now. I am getting a new 25 gal. tank in a week or so and am glad that should help. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't ignoring some other problem if there was one.
 
#4 ·
I agree with aunt kymmie.

Tetra are shoaling fish, meaning they must be in a group. Six is usually considered minimum for most species, some need more. When not maintained in groups, it is common for them to display even more aggression that normal. And most characins (tetra, pencilfish, hatchetfish) have some degree of aggressive behaviour within the group, which is why they must be in groups, to be normal.

Blackskirt tetra [also commonly known as Black Widow Tetra] are also notorious for being fin nippers, so with them this will be heightened in too small a group and too small a space. Your 25g will help partly, but if you really like this species, please get 4 more of them.

You can read about many fish in our profiles, second tab from the left in the blue bar across the top of the page, or if the name is the same in posts it will be shaded and you can click on that to see the species profile, example Black Widow Tetra. The profile will explain the above further.

And, welcome to Tropical Fish Keeping forum.

Byron.
 
#5 ·
Thanks Byron.

The Tetras are my very first fish that were given to me as a gift and have gotten me started on the whole aquarium hobby. I'll make sure that as soon as the 25g is ready to go that I get atleast 4 more. Right now the two I have just swim around on their own and then find a place to hover for a while. Is this because there's not enough? And when I get the new fish will they be alright with my current ones?
 
#6 ·
Thanks Byron.

The Tetras are my very first fish that were given to me as a gift and have gotten me started on the whole aquarium hobby. I'll make sure that as soon as the 25g is ready to go that I get atleast 4 more. Right now the two I have just swim around on their own and then find a place to hover for a while. Is this because there's not enough? And when I get the new fish will they be alright with my current ones?
Your last question actually occurred to me when i responded previously. Provided the present 2 are not fully grown, it shouldn't be a problem. Most fish available in stores are fairly young, and if suddenly placed in with 2 old cranky fish;-) there can sometimes be problems of aggression from the older fish. More space, with suitable protection such as plants will help.

On the behaviour, this is possible. I can say with a degree of certainty that being on their own as 2, they are "uncomfortable" at least. They expect a group, and will certainly be more settled in a group. A few weeks back i posted a link to a recent study that proves higher aggression in almost all shoaling fish when they are not in groups of 5 or more. The scientific evidence is now out there. Good luck with the new tank.

Byron.
 
#7 ·
Thanks again Byron. I'd say the two I have are probably a year old and close to fully grown from what I've read. I do have a lot of plants and such for other fish incase it's a problem. And I'm glad there's some research out there about it. I always love when there's some scientific evidence to back stuff up.
 
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