Ember tetra staying in same spot all day

[airdog44]

Ok, so I have 9 ember tetras in my 10-gallon tank. Ph is 7.0-7.2, nitrate around 20 ppm, nitrite 0, and ammonia is at 0 ppm. The tank temperature is around 75 F. He looks completely fine but is breathing heavy and stays underneath one of my anubius leaves all day for the past 2 or 3 days. The other 8 fish swim around but generally stay in the same area in the front right corner of the tank near the bottom. Everyone eats fine, they always have an appetite. I really am not sure what's going on. Maybe my lights are too bright? He's not being bullied because I have never seen any aggression, and whenever they get scared or there's food he joins the rest of the school. Thanks for the help

 

[BigManAquatics]

Maybe lights. Have you tried turning them off or dimming during the day and see if behavior changes?

 

[airdog44]

So the lights are off right now and he is still under the leaf. I did just see another fish nip at him though...maybe I was wrong and it is bullying? If so how can I fix this?

 

[Silverleaf209]

What kinds of fish do you have in your tank, how many of each kind?

 

[airdog44]

It’s a 10 gallon with 9 ember tetras, nothing else

 

[Silverleaf209]

It’s a 10 gallon with 9 ember tetras, nothing else

Oh ok do you notice anything unusual about the fish on the bottom of the tank, like something up with his fins?

 

[airdog44]

They all look normal, not heavy breathing just kind of hovering. It’s not everyday it’s usually early in the day before I have fed them. Maybe they’re just hungry? Because after feeding they go back to normal then at night it’s the same thing

 

[Silverleaf209]

Maybe, good luck!