5 Black Skirt Tetras In A 15 Gallon Tank And Still Nipping

HI I have a 15 gallon tank and the tetras I noticed are still nipping at the smallest tetra and largest tetra on the fins or dorsal fins.

I feed them once a day and one day I don't over feed to make sure they don't become over feed. Should I add more tetras or what other advice do you have.

I am new to the aquarium thing. I have 5 black skirt tetras with 3 julI cory catfish (they are okay and happy) and 2 black netrile racer snails with live plants and real drift wood.

 

15 gallons is awful tight for skirt tetras. They really need some space and plants help, too. I've read that they can be kept in a tank as small as 20 gallons, but I never had any in less than 40 gallons. Is there any way you can get them into a larger tank? If not, I'd see if it'd be possible to trade them in for something smaller and likelier to get along in that size tank. Neons, cardinals, and golden Pristella tetras would all do much better in that size space.

 

You are right it is tight but I saw on several sites and ask some people that a 15 gallon tank is okay. The tank has live plants and water parameters are slightly acidic 6.8. I posted a photo.

I found out that the issue is food aggression. I fed them once a day for 3 minutes or less and they really became aggressive to the point they harass each other and steal the 1/4 algae wafer from the 3 cory catfish.

Today after I fed them for a 2nd time they mellowed and I took the photo. The fish nipping isn't daily but it happens every so often. I will still monitor it incase I do need to rehome them. Also I know with more food higher potential for ammonia, nitries, and nitrates build up so I will continue to measure parameters every 2 days and do a 20% water change once a week.

I had a nitrite scare when I first got the fish because of bad advice on how to cycle the tank, and a snail infestation too. I am learning a lot for just starting the hobby last thanksgiving.

 

Skirt tetras need a 20 gallon tank depending on how many you have but 20 gallon is the best size

 

I rehome the fish at my local petco and got 7 neon tetras.

Thank you for your advice.