New tank - added one Glofish Tetra - should I add more?

[mrsjoannh13]

I (finally) cycled a 10 gallon tank and today got a glofish tetra. I read that it's best to start with a light load to make sure ammonia doesn't spike. All of my water parameters are good (0 nitrate, 0 ammonia, 10 nitrate, pH and everything else in a good range, temp is 79) but the fish seems stressed doing a lot of glass surfing. I am unsure if this is just due to the transition from going into a new tank or if the fish is super stressed being the only one in the tank. I plan to add 3 or 4 more but I wanted to keep an eye on water parameters before loading the tank. Is this a mistake? Should I add 1 or 2 more tetras now so the first one isn't so stressed? Or wait about a week and make sure that water quality holds up? This is my first aquarium and it's a gift for my daughter so I want it to be great and filled with healthy, happy fish. Thanks in advance for any input or advice!

 

[FishGuest5123]

Tetras should be kept in groups of 6. Get the rest. I wouldn’t add anything else to a 10G though. Tetras really need more swim space but will be OK if no more livestock added.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Tetras should be kept in groups of 6. Get the rest. I wouldn’t add anything else to a 10G though. Tetras really need more swim space but will be OK if no more livestock added.

Thank you, Deanasue. I was concerned about putting too much in the tank to start. I got the fish about 6 hours ago and have been keeping the lights dim. She seems to have settled a good bit and is swimming normally in the center of the tank now. It may have just been stressed from the move from the fish store to my house. She hasn't eaten yet but I think that's also normal for a new fish. I'll try again with food tomorrow and see how it goes. Wish me luck!

 

[FishGuest5123]

They are schoaling fish and stress out if alone. As small as they are, I wouldn’t hesitate in getting all of them. Their bio load is very small. I’d be more concerned with one not providing enough waste to feed the good bacteria. Good luck!

 

[mrsjoannh13]

They are schoaling fish and stress out if alone. As small as they are, I wouldn’t hesitate in getting all of them. Their bio load is very small. I’d be more concerned with one not providing enough waste to feed the good bacteria. Good luck!

Very helpful. Thank you so much for the advice. I have read a lot online but still have lots to learn. I'm so excited to give this tank to my daughter this weekend for her birthday. I hope she grows to love the hobby as much as I do! Looks like we'll be making a trip back to the fish store tomorrow, LOL! Yay! More fish shopping!

 

[Retired Viking]

Having some floating plants will help with the stress, tetras like shade. I would also suggest no bright lights and places for them to hide. 10 gallons is small for 6 tetras so low light will help reduce stress.

 

[mcordelia]

@mrsjoannh13 it sounds like you're on the right track! hopefully all 6 tetras will feel at home soon and this should make for a wonderful gift for your daughter!

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Having some floating plants will help with the stress, tetras like shade. I would also suggest no bright lights and places for them to hide. 10 gallons is small for 6 tetras so low light will help reduce stress.

Thanks, Viking! I did dim the lights and have them out for the night. That seems to have helped. She looks very calm now - not darting back and forth and glass surfing like she was the first few hours. She has definitely settled a bit. I didn't add plants as I'm a total noob and figured I'd have a big enough challenge just keeping fish alive. But I'll ask for some easy plants for beginners when I go back to the fish store. Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[mrsjoannh13]

@mrsjoannh13 it sounds like you're on the right track! hopefully all 6 tetras will feel at home soon and this should make for a wonderful gift for your daughter!

Thanks, Mcordelia! I sure hope so. I was relieved to get it cycled in time to add fish. I didn't want to present her with an empty tank. I can't wait to get a few more fish in there and give it to her this weekend. The glofish tetras are really pretty. I know she will love them!

I'm already planning my next tank. A betta for my office! Apparently Multiple Tank Syndrome really is a thing, LOL!

 

[Retired Viking]

Moneywort, pennywort, hornwort, salvinia, frog bite, anacharis and water sprite are good choices for floating plants.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Thanks, Viking! I did dim the lights and have them out for the night. That seems to have helped. She looks very calm now - not darting back and forth and glass surfing like she was the first few hours. She has definitely settled a bit. I didn't add plants as I'm a total noob and figured I'd have a big enough challenge just keeping fish alive. But I'll ask for some easy plants for beginners when I go back to the fish store. Thanks so much for the advice!

You can order Marimo moss balls on EBay. They are great at soaking up nitrates. Amazon swords, anubias, and crypts are easy starter plants.

 

[mcordelia]

@mrsjoannh13 did you end up getting the other tetras? How are they settling in? Pictures?

 

[mrsjoannh13]

So the pink one settled down a good bit on day 2. No more glass surfing. I did go back to the pet store and got 3 more (all they had). So I have 4 right now. They are doing fine but one of them is REALLY shy - just stays behind a plant all the time. They all seem to be doing well otherwise. Purple one (I named him Bashful) does pop out from time to time and they have all been eating which is great to see. I plan to go back tomorrow - the pet store said they should be getting another shipment in and more glo tetras are expected. For now, they all seem to be adjusting fine. They really don't seem to like light at all. I have not turned the tank lid light on at all. I do have to turn on dim lights because the tank is in my home office right now and I can't do zoom video calls in the dark, LOL. I've noticed they hover close to or go behind the plants when lights are on - other than feeding time. So far so good! They are absolutely beautiful little fish and so much fun to watch. My daughter's birthday is this weekend so we'll have the tank all set up as a surprise for her in her room on Friday when she gets home from school. I can't wait!!!

 

[mcordelia]

Ohhh amazing!!! Keep an eye on the shy one, I would hope it's not the case but if it's acting very different from the others it could be sick. Does it look smaller or skinnier than the others? Is it making stringy poop? Is it acting lethargic at all or resting on the plant? Hopefully it just feels like the odd one out if it's the only purple one and if you are able to get a few more of the same color it should hopefully perk up

You've gotten a few suggestions for plants and I would echo the recommendation for hornwort, it's a good option for a floating plant and can really provide cover for the tetras!

You should post pictures if you have a chance!

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Ohhh amazing!!! Keep an eye on the shy one, I would hope it's not the case but if it's acting very different from the others it could be sick. Does it look smaller or skinnier than the others? Is it making stringy poop? Is it acting lethargic at all or resting on the plant? Hopefully it just feels like the odd one out if it's the only purple one and if you are able to get a few more of the same color it should hopefully perk up

You've gotten a few suggestions for plants and I would echo the recommendation for hornwort, it's a good option for a floating plant and can really provide cover for the tetras!

You should post pictures if you have a chance!

Yeah, I am not sure. He does pop out from time to time and look around. He's eating fine. Doesn't seem lethargic so much - just wants to stay behind a plant. Haven't noticed any pooping from any of them. They are all about the same size other than the yellow one we got - it was a bit bigger than the others. I find the blue one likes to hang out on the other side of the tank near the heater. They all seem to have assumed their favorite positions in the tank. Bashful stays behind the plant on the left. Indigo near the heater on the right. Pinkie Pie is front and center mid tank. Sunny is somewhere in the middle near Pinkie Pie usually. They're a funny group. We'll see how the dynamic changes when I go get Salsa Verde (hopefully) tomorrow.