False Neons Acting Oddly

kevbshields · 07-28-2012, 11:25 AM

2 months ago I bought a baker's dozen of false neons at a very good price. All looked great, were active, seemed happy and adjusted well. I've got them in my 20 hex with a handful of cherry shrimp, fairly well-planted tank. On Sunday I noticed no activity in the tank, even after feeding. Upon searching, all tetra were hiding beneath a large piece of driftwood, being very nervous. This is a complete change in behavior. If I walked near the tank before Sunday, the little guys went buck wild, all swimming to the front of the tank, anxious that I might feed them.

I checked water parameters, all normal. This is NOT a new tank! I simply upgraded cories out of it and added few plants. I decided a water change was in order. 25% right away, 25% later on in the week. The tetra continue to eat, but this is now the ONLY time they're active.

The tank sits in a far traffic-free corner of my living room. I simply cannot explain this sudden change. Their color is pretty good, though difficult to judge when they're cowering behind driftwood. No visible lesions, blood streaks, clamped fins--just nervousness. Other than water changes and feeding (neither of which bothered them before), the fish are left alone. There are no small children here, tapping the glass . . . so I am utterly stumped on this change. I will note, 2 of the false neons had a run-in with the filter intake and didn't survive, but both were some weaks ago and that problem addressed. Is it possible that losing 2 of their own has brought on this drastic behavioral change? Ideas?

**Aquatic Delight** · 07-28-2012, 01:27 PM

what is nomal for your water params?

kevbshields · 07-30-2012, 04:00 AM

0, 0 and 0. Temperature consistently mid-70s and pH about 7.4. Before you mention pH as the factor, which I firmly believe is not, consider the tetra were kept in 7.6 or there abouts at the retailers . . . no peculiar behavior. Although I've been tempted to use peat moss, I've not found "regular" neons demanding on that front.

Suggestions?

07-28-2012, 11:25 AM	#1
kevbshields Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Louisville, Kentucky, USA Posts: 124	False Neons Acting Oddly 2 months ago I bought a baker's dozen of false neons at a very good price. All looked great, were active, seemed happy and adjusted well. I've got them in my 20 hex with a handful of cherry shrimp, fairly well-planted tank. On Sunday I noticed no activity in the tank, even after feeding. Upon searching, all tetra were hiding beneath a large piece of driftwood, being very nervous. This is a complete change in behavior. If I walked near the tank before Sunday, the little guys went buck wild, all swimming to the front of the tank, anxious that I might feed them. I checked water parameters, all normal. This is NOT a new tank! I simply upgraded cories out of it and added few plants. I decided a water change was in order. 25% right away, 25% later on in the week. The tetra continue to eat, but this is now the ONLY time they're active. The tank sits in a far traffic-free corner of my living room. I simply cannot explain this sudden change. Their color is pretty good, though difficult to judge when they're cowering behind driftwood. No visible lesions, blood streaks, clamped fins--just nervousness. Other than water changes and feeding (neither of which bothered them before), the fish are left alone. There are no small children here, tapping the glass . . . so I am utterly stumped on this change. I will note, 2 of the false neons had a run-in with the filter intake and didn't survive, but both were some weaks ago and that problem addressed. Is it possible that losing 2 of their own has brought on this drastic behavioral change? Ideas?

07-28-2012, 01:27 PM	#2
Aquatic Delight H is for Hillstream (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 1,295	what is nomal for your water params? __________________ __________________________________ Will ________________________________ my 29g story To See all of my photos Click ME!

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07-30-2012, 04:00 AM	#3
kevbshields Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Louisville, Kentucky, USA Posts: 124	0, 0 and 0. Temperature consistently mid-70s and pH about 7.4. Before you mention pH as the factor, which I firmly believe is not, consider the tetra were kept in 7.6 or there abouts at the retailers . . . no peculiar behavior. Although I've been tempted to use peat moss, I've not found "regular" neons demanding on that front. Suggestions?