Hmmm, Anything I Can Do?

[Dark Wolf]

So just over a week ago, i bought 6 glowlight tetras. They seemed to be fine for the first couple of days, but after a while i noticed that one of the tetra's always seemed to be on his own, after a bit of close inspection, i'm pretty certain that it is the same tetra. If i watch him for a while, he eventually swims back to the rest of them, and stays there for a while, but if i look back again after a couple of hours he's on his own again.

Does this mean anything? Could it be ill? i don't see any signs of illness, and he's swimming along fine, and doesn't lie on the bottom or anything like that. Is there anything i should/can do?

 

[rdd1952]

Tetras in a community tank will eventually stop "schooling" as they realize that there isn't a predator and that they are safe. It could be that this one has come to that conclusion a little sooner than the others. But usually, when a fish starts to stay by itself, especially if it is timid or always hiding, it is a sign of sickness or disease. If yours appears to be fine, then I would say he just feels safe.

 

[deni]

I had seven glowlights and they were rarely altogether. Very early on they split up into a group of four, a two and one that was nearly always on his own. I think the same fish stuck to same groups but not 100 per cent sure as nearly impossible to tell them apart. Nearly four years later I still have two left. They don't stay together and I often think I've only got one left, and then I spot the other one nearby! I never saw the lone one looking sick or acting/eating any differently to the others. Hope this helps.

 

[Dark Wolf]

Ah ok then, that puts my mind at rest. I'll keep an eye on him for the next few days to make sure that it isn't an illness.

 

[tetraqueen]

Then again I have had a lonesome neon for about 8 months longer than I had the rest of the fish. My thought was it was a different batch when brought to the lfs shop and some stay together where as that one did not fit in.