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Latest Animal Stories on Characins (474)

CarolO - 2010-08-12
Like all tetra's, a school of 6 is the bare minimum. Schools of 20-30 will make a much nicer display and the fish will act as they should especially the smaller tetra's species like neons, glowlights and cardinals.

Jason Wicklund - 2012-01-08
Hey I have a 20 gallon with 5 black skirt tetras, 1

Jody - 2010-12-20
I have had my Lepo for about 6 months, and in that time it has grown considerably. I caught him eating one of my neon tetras, with another one missing an eye a few weeks later. Since then, I decided to quit adding fish to the tank and everyone has seemed to live in harmony. But last night, as soon as I turned off the light off I noticed the Lepo came out from inside his statue and started literally attacking my big beautiful Angel fish over and over! I was so outraged I lifted the lid door and slammed it down to scare him off. It worked and by the time I went to bed I hadn't noticed any more attacks. But when I woke up my Angel was near death. ALL of his beautiful flowing fins were chewed off and he was more white than black because either of stress or his scales being eaten off. I pulled him out of the tank to a bucket to try to nurse him back to health but it's still touch and go.
My question is, why would the Lepo suddenly go after another large dominant fish? I've had them about the same length of time and they have never bothered each other.
My tank is a 20 gallon extra high, with 1 Gourami, 1 Angel, 1 Lepo, 1 Neon Tetra, 1 Zebra Danio, and 1 Pleco. It has been a fairly harmonized tank until now so I just can't figure out what to do. I really like the look of my Lepo but not at the expense of the other fish.
Thanks for your help!

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John Lackner - 2012-06-15
I have a 55 gal tank and the same thing happened to me . Th Lepo cleaned me out . I'm going to have to see if I can sell him so that I can restart my community tank over. He is a beautiful fish and I will be sorry to let him go, but my tank is empty except for him.
Jeremy Roche - 2012-06-15
They are recommended with slow swimming long finned fish like angels or gouramis
Drew - 2012-09-17
Fish, like dogs and people, have noticeable attitude changes as they mature. Aggression increases and tolerance decreases. Any aquarium that isn't species specific is likely to have notable conflicts arise 2 to 3 years down the line as the fish mature. I've never kept Lepos in with community fish. Like tiger barbs, I don't really consider them a community fish. They don't have the means to be a big threat, but their attitude warrants suspicion. As long as they have a size advantage they do just fine in with other mild cichlids. I've kept them with oscars.
Clarice Brough - 2012-09-17
That's a great response Drew, really gets to the heart of the issue and helps to understand what the animals need to be healthy pets.

chris - 2012-09-12
Hi i have just purchased 10 neon tetra from a aquatic centre. They are sharing a tank with 6 other mixed tetra. The 10 neons are very small [ young ] 1 has died having being stuck in the air filter. How long is it until they become larger ?

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Clarice Brough - 2012-09-17
They will attain full size pretty quickly, reaching maturity at the age of 6 months. In the aquarium they can live up to about 5 years with a good environment and proper care.

Tay P. - 2010-07-11
I had just bought four Buenos Aires tetras and two of them are chasing the other two and my gouramis who were originally the leaders in my tank are scared of them but are'nt these fish community fish?

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\" Ron L \" - 2010-10-09
That's what they said these fish is a community fish when I bought 2 at petsmart. As soon as I brought them home put them in my 36 gallon tank. They started to terrorize my neon tetra, rummy nose, and bala shark. This fish is not community fish. I brought them back for a refund.
tj black - 2011-01-25
Having same problem, took a piece of my biggest gouramis tail, I have smaller black strip neon and they don't bother them, they go for the big lid on the block, gouramis which once ruled the tank, now run scared.
pleco - 2011-07-18
Keeping them as group (at least 6) really helps with the said agression. I keep ten with silver hatchets and cory cats and no issues as of yet. Don't think neons are something I would house them with, though, and guaramies would also be trouble simply because of the long pelvic "feelers". Definately boisterous for a tetra.
steven vallee - 2012-01-01
Try putting some rainbow fish in, they are peaceful but tough.
Quick swimmers, they take a licken, but keep on ticken.
They will take the pressure off your gourami's.
Alex Burleson - 2012-01-01
It is not uncommon to find fish which are listed as 'community fish' that become seemingly aggressive to tank mates. One method to combat this problem is to add a few more [3-5] Buenos Aires Tetras. Buenos Aires Tetras are a schooling fish, which means they need to be kept in schools of 5+. Often, when the school is not large enough a few in the school, (or the entire school) will behave in an aggressive manner. However, in the majority of incidents, it is only because they feel threatened.

Given you have correct aquarium parameters, and space requirements, I would add 3-5 more Buenos Aires Tetras. If this does not combat the problem, try seeking an alternative solution such as returning all of the Buenos Aires Tetras to your place of purchase, and opt for a different fish.

Best wishes!
Manny Fresh - 2012-09-07
I have had 4 Buenos Aires in a 110 gal community tank with about 6 Gouramis, 10 Barbs, 4 Red Eye Tetras, Red tail shark, 2 SAE's, and a few others maybe a total community of about ~40-50 other fish and they are great, they do eat a LOT, so to keep them happy they should be fed more than the others. Also I have them in a planted aquarium, but plant selection is trial and error because they will eat ALL of your plants especially the ones with leaves like the consistency of lettuce. They are super aggressive feeders, so make sure you have a larger tank if you intend on keeping them, and these guys will live for a LONG time so be prepared. Avoid smaller fish unless they have a place to hide, becuase these guys can be cannabilistic if they arent fed a varied diet. High quality algea wafers is a must, and they can get quite large.

Natalie - 2012-07-17
Will my x ray tetra spawn??? ( my tank is only 2.25 gallon ) I currently have 4 of them, 2 female and 1 male. I'm not sure about the other. The tank is shared with 3 red cherry shrimp, 3 golden tetra, 3 cardinal tetra and 1 panda cory. Tks in advance

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symbol - 2012-08-30
That sounds like a very crowded tank! It would be nice for them if you could space them out a little more. Also, I think that cory cats normally like to live in groups. Maybe you could get a bigger tank and get him some friends? I think it would be very difficult to breed fish in a 2.25 gallon tank. If you can get a bigger tank at some point, maybe you could try to find a compatible/breeding pair then.
Jeremy Roche - 2012-08-31
Way to small of a tank! Should have at least a 20 gallon tank. To spawn they really need an open area and peace from other fish. Normally a seperate tank is set up just for that purpose. Some great info if you click the link uner reproduction

sam - 2012-06-14
Hi I was wonering if three hatchet fish and two angelfish would be ok together in a five gallon tank?..............if you have any other suggestions for fish that could live in there that would be GREAT! THANX!

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David Brough - 2012-06-14
You could keep a couple of hatchet fish in a 5 gallon, but an angelfish would be way too big for such a small aquarium. The discus are too big as well.
sam - 2012-06-14
Thank you do you have any suggestions for other fish to live with the hatchet fish?
sam - 2012-06-14
well my mom who raised angels said two would be fine in a five gallon tank with some hatchets
sam - 2012-06-14
Also I would like to add could you possibly keep a discus with them to? THANX!
symbol - 2012-08-30
Keep in mind that hatchet fish are best kept in groups of 8+. You wouldn't have room for 8 of them in a 5 gallon tank. Also, I think that 5 gallons would be very cramped for angelfish. (You must realize that as well, or you would've just taken your mother's word for it rather than asking advice here first.) I would say that you should probably either get a bigger tank or pick different fish. 5 gallons might also make a really cool invert tank. What about planting it and stocking it with a few Malaysian Trumpet Snails and Cherry Shrimp? (Or some other type of dwarf shrimp. There are lots of beautiful species and colour morphs out there!)
Jeremy Roche - 2012-08-31
No. Way too small. Angels get large and let aggressive without enough room.

carlosR - 2006-05-20
I love these fish! I have noticed that some individuals get a peculiar "wasting" until several weeks later they die. Others puchased from the same source at the same time thrive. Beautiful when they school. They enjoy a well planted tank.

Lindsey Escudero - 2012-07-30
Hello everone! Just have a few questions about my colored skirt tetra. I have had it for a year or so now, and really I am ashamed to say I really haven't taken good care of it. I had no idea fish needed so much care until now. So here's the deal: I just transfered my fish into a different tank yesterday and she's (am convinced its a girl) been chasing her reflection- well I think it is her reflection, I don't really know since I can't see her point of view- is this good for her? She never did it before.and she hasn't eaten since I switched her. Is this normal? please help

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Charlie Roche - 2012-07-30
Yep, normal. You moved her and it will take a few days for her to adjust to new tank. It's just different and she's looking around. She probably could not see her reflection in the other tank with the light or size and she can in this one and it interests her. Just different.
lindsey escudero - 2012-07-31
Thank you so much for your reply. It conforts me to know this:)

sandi - 2012-07-29
Plzzzzz help me I love my fish. I just got a painted tetra fish and I've had it 4 days now and he won't eat. What's wrong with him and he keeps swimming back and forth in the tank, he is also so rooming with a moor goldfish

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Jeremy Roche - 2012-07-30
Check your ammonia levels. Goldfish aren't usually a good match for tetras as they are sensitive to water conditions. Goldfish produce a lot of ammonia.
Charlie Roche - 2012-07-29
Probably nothing wrong, he is just getting used to a new place to live. Watch his behavior for a couple more days and check out if eating. OK?

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