6 New Embers. 5 Seem Fine, Swim Together, Etc. But The Last One's Acting Differently

They've only been in my tank 24 hours so they're still adjusting but one is acting very differently than the other five. I don't know whether he's more stressed, sick, or maybe a bit slow?

The group of five found each other in the new tank within a few minutes and have been hanging out and exploring since. They often separate as individuals or pairs but generally come back together to swim around, rest under leaves, and do regular fishy things together.

#6, however, spent his first few hours frantically swimming up and down in a back corner. The others found him and visited a few times but he stayed put. He's joined the group a few times but now spends the majority of his time stationary in the plants all by himself.

Should I be concerned? Are some schooling fish just loners or is he about to die on me? The others seem to be adapting well and I feel bad for the little guy.

 

can't get too stressed in the first 24-48 hours of adding new fish especially schooling fish...give them a week and see how they are at that point...maybe add 1 or 2 more to see if they adjust...after the week is up...they may like to be in larger schools and the loner may join them....sometimes only time will tell

just my thoughts...can take my advice or wait for an Ember or a stocking pro to chime in to maybe give better advice...but that is what I would do if I were in your shoes

 

can't get too stressed in the first 24-48 hours of adding new fish especially schooling fish...give them a week and see how they are at that point...maybe add 1 or 2 more to see if they adjust...after the week is up...they may like to be in larger schools and the loner may join them....sometimes only time will tell

I wanted to add more but the owner of my LFS would only sell me 6. It was a really odd experience. I'll post another thread shortly outlining the guy's positions and I'll be interested to get your perspective.

 

I have a school of 10 neons. One always stayed in the back corner by itself. I was watching for any signs of NTD. This behavior lasted for over a month. It is now swimming with the rest and it doesn't take me forever to count them each day.

 

What size is the tank? Is it a new tank?

 

give them a little time to adapt..as I'm sure they came from an overloaded tank ( or not ) ...as an example I have 5 Serpae Tetras and usually there is 1 loner although it hard to tell cuz they are always chasing each other around and their always along the back of the tank mid to lower level...I will eventually add another one to see if the school changes...

 

I have a school of 10 neons. One always stayed in the back corner by itself. I was watching for any signs of NTD. This behavior lasted for over a month. It is now swimming with the rest and it doesn't take me forever to count them each day.

Thanks! That's good to hear. I am spending a lot of time couting "1-2-3-4-5.... ****, where's #6 hiding?... "

What size is the tank? Is it a new tank?

New tank, 10 gallons, fully cycled, heavily planted, excellent parameters. The tank's okay. It's just this one little guy I'm worried about. I even thought about taking him back in an overabundance of caution but then I felt really bad because what if he's just a loner, doing his thing, and I rejected him? I'd feel bad!

 

JenC, when I first added my tiger barbs, 7 of them were schooling, and 1 was always by himself on the other side of the tank. He tried to re-school with them but they swam away from him. A week later I found him on the filter intake still alive, and by the time I netted him and put him in a cup he died. Must've got kicked from the school or was sick. Just keep an eye on them

 

JenC, when I first added my tiger barbs, 7 of them were schooling, and 1 was always by himself on the other side of the tank. He tried to re-school with them but they swam away from him. A week later I found him on the filter intake still alive, and by the time I netted him and put him in a cup he died. Must've got kicked from the school or was sick. Just keep an eye on them

Aww! Poor thing!

I'm keeping an eye on him but I'm not sure I'd recognize the signs if I needed to change something. Luckily, the school doesn't seem to be rejecting him. I see them visit him but he doesn't really react. That's why I'm worried he's unwell. I'll be patient and hope for the best...

 

Being 10 gallons is why your lfs only would sell you 6.

He may or may not adjust, give him a week or so to see how it goes.

 

Being 10 gallons is why your lfs only would sell you 6.

He may or may not adjust, give him a week or so to see how it goes.

Oh, he said I could hold 24 in my tank without an issue. (I'm not so sure.) He wouldn't sell more because he said fishless cycling with ammonia never works so they were 50/50 shot going to die after the ammonia spike.

 

Oh, he said I could hold 24 in my tank without an issue. (I'm not so sure.) He wouldn't sell more because he said fishless cycling with ammonia never works so they were 50/50 shot going to die after the ammonia spike.

Some people don't think Ammonia cycling works lol. I a small tank though there may well be a bit of a spike, maybe in your best interests to add several small groups rather than all at once.