Strange Neon Behaviour

idlefingers

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I've just been watching my neons and they seem to be acting a bit odd. Out of 15, a group of about 4-5 are off on their own in a VERY close shoal.. Literally rubbing up against each other. They then dart back and fourth as if headbutting each other in a way. It's hard to explain. They'll do that for a couple of mins and then start acting normally again for a little bit before repeating the process.

Sorry the explanation isn't very good. Its hard behaviour to explain. I wish I had a video camera!

My stats are fine:

PH 7
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10

Does anyone know what's happening? I think, a lot of the time, it's a male & female doing the headbutting behaviour.. perhaps this is courting? But aren't neons hard to breed in home aquaria? They don't seem unhappy.. eating normally, bright colours and in a tank with peaceful occupants.

Any ideas?
 
i have noticed 4 of my 5 doing it too, but in pairs, weird, they've never done it before and there the only fish i have in the 15 gal :blink:
 
Well in nature when there are a few fishes that are separated from a school that usually means they are sick and the school is trying to separate them. But since this is in a tank it may not mean that. But you should also know when you have a good amount of tetras they sometimes have 2 sets of schools or more. About the strange behavior it may not mean much if the fish seem's to look healthy and eat normal. But did you quarantine the tetras before adding them to the tank. This is usually suggested so that you can observe your new fish and see how healthy it is and if it has any strange behavior. But if you just added the fish just recently it may just be adjusting to your tank.
 
I've seen this behaviour before. The two most plausible explanations I've found are either mating behaviour (which is my guess) or territorial aggression.
 
mine are the most recent additions, but i've had them well over a month they are the only fish in my 15 gal as i am keeping a close eye on my femlae bettas before re adding them to the tank, mine are definately splitting off into a male and a female pair if i am sexing them right (male's glow line straight? females slightly curved towards the tail?) :unsure:
sorry to hijak the topic idlefingers
 
mine are the most recent additions, but i've had them well over a month they are the only fish in my 15 gal as i am keeping a close eye on my femlae bettas before re adding them to the tank, mine are definately splitting off into a male and a female pair if i am sexing them right (male's glow line straight? females slightly curved towards the tail?) :unsure:
sorry to hijak the topic idlefingers

Not at all. It's interesting to hear that other are doing it too!

I've had mine a few months. They haven't been abandoned by the rest of the group and don't seem i'll. I hope it is courting. :)
 

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