Nippy fish

[Lamie]

I have been watching my fish, 9 black phantom tetras. I think I have 5 females and 4 males and the males are nipping at the females, one male is hiding in the corner in the plants and it looks like there is maybe 1 or 2 male aggressors who are doing the nipping. Is this ok and normal behaviour? Is it because I have 4 males instead of the 5males to 4/5 females that was recommended? I had 1 more female but it died. Should I get one more?

 

[Colin_T]

Video of the fish?
How big is the tank?
Picture showing the whole tank?

 

[Lamie]

 

[Lamie]

70 litres

 

[Lamie]

Whole tank

 

[Lamie]

Hi sorry about the video the reflection is bad. I can do another one if you need?

 

[Lamie]

They are all swimming normally now!

 

[DoubleDutch]

This is how these fish behave.

 

[Colin_T]

The fish in the video appear to be breeding. There are males showing off to each other, a couple of females showing off to each other, they are having a right old time.

Male black phantom tetras have a bigger dorsal (top) fin and black pelvic (belly) fins.

Female black phantom tetras have red pelvic fins and a much smaller dorsal fin.

 

[Lamie]

One of the males is hiding in the plants at the top. It looks stressed. Will it be ok.? I'm due a water change tomorrow. Do I need to worry? Thanks

 

[Lamie]

This is it. It looks like it's struggling a bit

 

[Colin_T]

The fish in the picture looks stressed but I can't tell much more from the picture. It might be getting hassled by the other males or it might be feeling unwell.

Monitor it and if it keeps hiding, move it to a different tank and see if it acts more normally. If it does, then it was stressed in that tank.