-pinky-

I have a super delta betta, 3 glowlights, and 2 neon tetras...

Problem

The glowlights are bigger than the neon tetras, and one of the glowlights, is twice the size of the others (in length, not in fatness)...Also, one of the neons, is particicularly small, and neither of the neons have grown since i bought them a month ago, whereas the glowlights definitely have...I read on the internet and in books that glowlights and neons grow to the same length, so both should be the same size right?

Also, the glowlights were bigger than the neons when i bought them, so do glowlights just grow faster than neons?

Things the answer probably isn't

1) All the fish shoal together, and there are no signs of nipping, or torn fins, so i don't think that bullying is the problem.

2) The water parameters are ammonia 0 nitrites 0 and nitrates 5....i'm not sure wether i've got nitrites and nitrates the right way round, but the water parameters are definitely ok, so i don't think bad water conditions are causing the fish any stress

3) The tank isn't overstocked if i use the 1" of fish to every gallon rule, so this won't be causing them stress either.

Things the answer might be

1) Could the neons be intimidated by the betta, and are too stressed to grow? I don't think this is the reason or else the glowlights would probably be intimidated too

2) When i feed them (i feed them flake food, which i crush so its small for the tetras), all the glowlights go up to the top and eat the food first. I have to stick my hand right down into the tank so the neons (who stay at the bottom during feeding) get some food. Even so, i don't think the neons get very much food. Could this be the problem?

3) Even though all the fish shoal together most of the time, the neons are often left on their own together...could the problem be that there aren't enough neons, and the neons are too shy to grow?

Please help, the fish aren't in a bad condition, i'm just confused as to why they're not growing?

Oh, and as an added extra, can anyone tell me how long neon tetras and glowlights live?

Surely some tetra experts can help me? Atleast with the second question? I've tried researching tetras, but no pages i can find, have the life expectancy =]

fishrule101

You can't rush there growth hormones.

-pinky-

I'm not trying too, i just want to know wether glowights grow faster than neons, or wether there is something wrong with my neons

Lucy

Stess manifests it's self in many ways, illness, growth and behavorial problems.
Neons normally do better in schools, however, you might run into problems adding more neons with the betta in there.