Stressed Fish

[cpageplay]

Is it possible for one fish ( who was a bully) to morne over another who just died? He keeps swimming where I found my tetra who died he never has swam at the bottom of the tank in one corner continually before? Didn't know if he was really stressed, or looking for my tetra because he has noone to bully?

 

[BerryAttack]

well tetras should be in groups of 6+ and by the sounds of it you only had two which resulted in the bullying, and with the stress on the fish killed it because of the insufficient numbers.
either bump up the tetras number to 6+ or rehome it.

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

It's most likely the latter.

 

[cpageplay]

Unfortunately I'm not sure what the other small fish is that is still living. They were both given to me as starter fish( which after doing research I would not do again) and I have a Betta who I adopted. The starter fish I've had for 6 months and betta 3 months. I'm debating on getting anymore after these pass because even after reading numerous websites and forums, I feel I may put fish in danger than have a healthy hobby for me and my son.

 

[star4]

Yes it is. My oscar was so stressed when he lost his tankmate he ended up with HITH, I was really shocked because his diet hadnt changed and his water was as clean as ever but he got mild HITH which I put down to stress, he cheered up when I added another fish and the HITH went again.

 

[cpageplay]

Yes it is. My oscar was so stressed when he lost his tankmate he ended up with HITH, I was really shocked because his diet hadnt changed and his water was as clean as ever but he got mild HITH which I put down to stress, he cheered up when I added another fish and the HITH went again.

I really appreciate your post.  Fish were forced upon me by my sister who spent a lot of money on a fish tank and everything else for my son, who is 4! I have several animals and fish weren't something I wanted to try, even though my son can stare at a fish tank for hours.  I have found out that fish are very complex, and experienced fish owners are very defensive regarding their care.  I totally understand their firm and sometimes demeaning responses of beginner questions, but if it wasn't for the hours and hours of searching info on fish, all my fish would be dead.  Anyone with common sense can see when an animal is stressed, so Im not sure if I should continue this hobby, or get more fish for my stressed one.  Like I said earlier, I don't have any idea what he is, and I've looked at too many pics of fish to count.  He has calmed down a little but I know this is stressing for him.  But your response did make me feel im not a dummy for asking this question, and by your response, I need to get more fish.  I really want a different tank cause the one I have is so deep and so hard to clean.  Hate to spend more $ starting a new tank, but I think it would be easier and less stressful for me.

 

[SarahR]

You certainly aren't a dummy, nor are you alone.  I doubt any fish hobbyist can say they didn't have the wrong species in the wrong tank with the wrong other species at some early point in their hobby.  I once had a baby Angelfish (should be in a 20 gallon, minimum) with a baby common pleco (get 12-18 inches- need 55 gallon or better) and three serpae tetras (should be in groups of 6+ in 10-15 gallon minimum) all together in a FIVE GALLON TANK.  Duh.....
 Anyhow, I'm sure if you post a picture someone can identify your fish and give you an idea of it's requirements before you take on more than you really want to.  You might also describe your present tank and why it's so difficult to clean, chances are there are ways to make it easier.
 
I think you are more stressed than your little fish!  Buy him/her some frozen brine shrimp or bloodworms for a treat until you decide what to do- fish live to eat, the little guy will love you for it. (In fact, the fish may be visiting the corner you found his deceased "buddy" in for an entirely different reason- it may have started munching on the body and is still looking for his snack bar... fish are fairly practical in matters of life and death.)

 

[cpageplay]

You certainly aren't a dummy, nor are you alone.  I doubt any fish hobbyist can say they didn't have the wrong species in the wrong tank with the wrong other species at some early point in their hobby.  I once had a baby Angelfish (should be in a 20 gallon, minimum) with a baby common pleco (get 12-18 inches- need 55 gallon or better) and three serpae tetras (should be in groups of 6+ in 10-15 gallon minimum) all together in a FIVE GALLON TANK.  Duh.....
 Anyhow, I'm sure if you post a picture someone can identify your fish and give you an idea of it's requirements before you take on more than you really want to.  You might also describe your present tank and why it's so difficult to clean, chances are there are ways to make it easier.
 
I think you are more stressed than your little fish!  Buy him/her some frozen brine shrimp or bloodworms for a treat until you decide what to do- fish live to eat, the little guy will love you for it. (In fact, the fish may be visiting the corner you found his deceased "buddy" in for an entirely different reason- it may have started munching on the body and is still looking for his snack bar... fish are fairly practical in matters of life and death.)

I think you are totally right, he is totally calm now since he cant find the body of the deceased fish.  I have a Fluval 18gal tank cause I liked how they hide all the wires, and known for their awesome filters.  But the tank is square and I had to buy a step stool to even clean the bottom of the glass.  Since my other starter fish is acting like his normal self, and my betta is ok, I think I might wait on more fish and build a tank from info from the internet.  My son loves fish, but since the tank is square, its a little high to see them, so he just walks away.  Me...I worry everyday that something is wrong, or their not getting enough oxygen, or there is too much harmful chemicals in their tank everyday! and they are sadly at my  mercy  So terrible to be born a fish.   Thanks! your the nicest fish person I've ever talked too.

 

[SarahR]

My goodness, one Betta and an unidentified little troublemaker in an 18 gallon Fluval-  You have two of the luckiest fish on the planet!  Bettas prefer to be king of an uncrowded castle and your mystery fish sounds fine.  It may not even be a species that schools, not all small fish are.  (Have to admit, I am intrigued to know just what it is though.)
There are lots of nice fish folks, sometimes we just forget how long and how many fish it took to acquire what little we do know.  You are doing fine, and definately should take your time deciding what you want.  There are SO MANY different fish and tank set-ups to choose from, if you aren't careful you end up being the crazy "fish lady" wanting and trying to have all of them.   Not that I would know anything about that.......

 

[cpageplay]

And I thought I was being an abusive mother I have found out by shopping online this weekend that there ARE too many options on tanks (of course I want the best at a good price) so I gave up and decided to look later on. Thanks for all the great advice

 

[rms]

Can we a see a pic of the mystery fish?

 

[AlitaConejita]

Can we a see a pic of the mystery fish?

ditto ... you've spiked my curiousity

 

[Ninjouzata]

Would also love to see a picture, I'm sure someone on here can ID it for you.
I'm really sorry you seem to have come across some rude people, this forum isn't like that, at least not from what I've seen.
 
It may be worth it to you to look at craigslist for used tanks, can save you some money. Petco also has 1$ per gallon sales sometimes. Of course you want to get everything figured out in this tank first

 

[Meeresstille]

Rectangular, long tanks are really nice tanks. They have a lot of surface for oxygenation of the water, more than a tall tank (the water surface is like the lungs of the tank), and the length of the tank is great for most fish since they love swimming. Tetras and rasboras, danios, they all would love a long tank. 
 
Tall tanks are good for big bodied fish, like angel fish for example.
 
Betta Splendens can get tired "patrolling" a long tank, especially if they have large finnage. They also may find it tiring in a tall tank having to swim up to the surface to breathe surface air, especially as they get older and less energetic, or if they are sick.
 
Once you know what kind of fish you'd like to keep you will know what kind of tank you will need!

 

[rms]

I'm really sorry you seem to have come across some rude people, this forum isn't like that, at least not from what I've seen.

Some times people seem a little abrupt, but I don't think it's personal. Brush it off your shoulder and put it down to a lack of people skills. People do that with me all the time!! 

 
Now, back to your fish. If we can't see a pic, how are they?