Is This Normal Behavior For Neon Tetras?

I have 9 neon tetras with 1 betta in a 10 gallon. My ammonia is 0. Nitrites are 0. Nitrates are 10 ppm. Temperature is at 79 F. 25 to 50% percent water changes are done weekly.

Two of the neon tetras will sometimes hide in the cave. The neon tetras will also chase each other. The betta does not bother them at all, including no chasing and no flaring. I've uploaded a video to demonstrate.

I'm new to this hobby and it has only been a few months since I've setup the tank. I just want to know if this is normal behavior for the neon tetras or if I should be worried.

 

How long do you have these neon tetras?

 

How long do you have these neon tetras?

I first bought 5 three+ weeks ago. Then I bought the other 4 about 2 weeks ago.

 

Maybe they're getting used to the tank or perhaps they enjoy hiding in the cave. As long as they're eating and showing healthy behaviors, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Maybe they're getting used to the tank or perhaps they enjoy hiding in the cave. As long as they're eating and showing healthy behaviors, I wouldn't worry about it.

They definitely are eating and otherwise looking healthy. Thanks I won't worry too much.

 

To be brutally honest, I think you have too many in too small of a tank and the temp is too hot. Neons, especially 9 of them, will do much better in a 20 long so they have the room to swim. 9 in a 10 gallon is pretty cramped, and coupled with the fact that the temp is on the really warm end of their range (I think its too hot personally, I keep mine at 74), you'll see odd behavior.

 

Yeah I keep my temp at 77 because that seems like a middle ground for my neons and betta. But if they seem to be doing fine in 79, you don't necessarily have to change anything

 

Yeah I keep my temp at 77 because that seems like a middle ground for my neons and betta. But if they seem to be doing fine in 79, you don't necessarily have to change anything

I'll bump the temperature down to 78 just in case and see if that makes a difference.

To be brutally honest, I think you have too many in too small of a tank and the temp is too hot. Neons, especially 9 of them, will do much better in a 20 long so they have the room to swim. 9 in a 10 gallon is pretty cramped, and coupled with the fact that the temp is on the really warm end of their range (I think its too hot personally, I keep mine at 74), you'll see odd behavior.

But will a betta be happy at 74 F? I've read their minimum temperature is 78 F. But I got the neons because they were supposed to be compatible with the betta. I do have a newly setup 29 gallon and I'll move the neons there if they continue to show behavior like chasing each other.

 

No, a Betta will end up dying at 74. That's why Neons and Bettas aren't really recommended to be kept together. Bettas need 80, Neons do best at low/mid 70's.

 

I agree with the others on the temperature issue.
Looking at your video, the behaviour looks normal, if you are talking about them kind of snipping at each other. Mine do that fairly regularly - they don't actually nip, just kind of 'poke' at each other. Just a dominance thing I think

 

No, a Betta will end up dying at 74. That's why Neons and Bettas aren't really recommended to be kept together. Bettas need 80, Neons do best at low/mid 70's.

This is surprising because I see neon tetras brought up very commonly as good tanks mates for a betta.

I agree with the others on the temperature issue.
Looking at your video, the behaviour looks normal, if you are talking about them kind of snipping at each other. Mine do that fairly regularly - they don't actually nip, just kind of 'poke' at each other. Just a dominance thing I think

Thanks! That's good to know.

 

I think if you see it mentioned its by people who haven't kept Bettas or Neons successfully for long periods of time problem free. They really have quite different needs including tank size, flow and temperature.

 

Just goes to show you can do all your research and it could still end up being wrong. I consulted multiple websites and videos before getting the neon tetras to live with my betta, including the below.







I think I will just move the neons to my new 29 gallon once that tank can handle extra fishes.