My White And Black Skirt Tetras' Are Evil!

Lol. I moved my 6 Skirts out of my 60gln community tank into their own 29gln last night. I couldn't figure out who was killing my Platys and Otocynclus for the past two weeks, (4 dead from missing fins and one bite out of side) but yesterday I moved my 6 skirts out into their own 29 gln. I wasn't sure if they were doing it or if I had a crazy Platy, or what!!! So, this morning my Platy's, Neon Tetras' and Corydoras's looked like they were having a family reunion, swimming all over together, happy, etc.... But, I can see the biggest difference in my Otocinclus's. I thought it was normal for them to just kinda stick to the side of the tank and not move around a lot, WRONG!!! They are now schooling, exploring everywhere and haven't quit since I got up this morning. They were scared all this time! I love my Skirts, don't get me wrong, but I would have never, ever bought them if the pet store had of told me they were fin nippers, and they are! So, speaking from my experience, I do not recommend them if you are looking for a peaceful community tank. Good luck!

 

Lol. I moved my 6 Skirts out of my 60gln community tank into their own 29gln last night. I couldn't figure out who was killing my Platys and Otocynclus for the past two weeks, (4 dead from missing fins and one bite out of side) but yesterday I moved my 6 skirts out into their own 29 gln. I wasn't sure if they were doing it or if I had a crazy Platy, or what!!! So, this morning my Platy's, Neon Tetras' and Corydoras's looked like they were having a family reunion, swimming all over together, happy, etc.... But, I can see the biggest difference in my Otocinclus's. I thought it was normal for them to just kinda stick to the side of the tank and not move around a lot, WRONG!!! They are now schooling, exploring everywhere and haven't quit since I got up this morning. They were scared all this time! I love my Skirts, don't get me wrong, but I would have never, ever bought them if the pet store had of told me they were fin nippers, and they are! So, speaking from my experience, I do not recommend them if you are looking for a peaceful community tank. Good luck!

Agreed, my friend has some and they always nip each other and one of them got its tail ripped to shreds by the other Skirts and it died. I do not recommend them either.

 

That is strange. I have 6 of the long finned variety black skirts. Not once have I ever seen any aggressiveness from any of them.

 

When I first got fish, I had 3 white shirt tetras that killed have my fishes population. Once we removed them, the killings stopped. To save you fish, I recommend you give them either a new home in another tank or bowl or give them to someone else. You also could kill them, but I don't recommend that because that would be fishslaughter. But you do you.

 

Yep. I told the pet store I wanted the most peaceful fish there is. They said it was those, but then again they also sold me two Siamese Algae Eaters that turned out to be Chinese, that's another horror story in itself. You've really got to watch those pet stores! I'm still pretty new at this but have learned a lot, but mostly from this site. Unfortunately, a lot of beginners don't know about this until it's an emergency and they're seeking help. I almost quit the hobby, but I stuck it out and am so glad I did. I absolutely find it now to be so calming and therapeutic! Thanks for your reply!

That is strange. I have 6 of the long finned variety black skirts. Not once have I ever seen any aggressiveness from any of them.

I know! I thought so too, but my first platy that I found dead had half her fin gone, and she was huge, very healthy and pregnant. I never experienced them in the act, but something was going on. Anyhow, this morning they are spawning since I moved them. I guess they're happier too!

When I first got fish, I had 3 white shirt tetras that killed have my fishes population. Once we removed them, the killings stopped. To save you fish, I recommend you give them either a new home in another tank or bowl or give them to someone else. You also could kill them, but I don't recommend that because that would be fishslaughter. But you do you.

Lol. I moved mine to their own tank. Much happier tanks now! Oh, I could never kill them. They're just doing what they do. All is good now. Thanks

That is strange. I have 6 of the long finned variety black skirts. Not once have I ever seen any aggressiveness from any of them.

Wow, that's great. I wish mine were. I had a neon tetras die too, a month or so ago, perfectly healthy! I just thought it was her time, ya know, you never think that another fish did it, not in a peaceful tank. But, this morning my platy's and all are swimming all over the place. Everyone's happy now! Much!

 

Wow, that's great. I wish mine were. I had a neon tetras die too, a month or so ago, perfectly healthy! I just thought it was her time, ya know, you never think that another fish did it, not in a peaceful tank. But, this morning my platy's and all are swimming all over the place. Everyone's happy now! Much!

I wonder if it is possible the reason for the discord in the tank was caused by the combined types of fish and not just the temperament of the B. skirts? I have the 6 black skirts, 5 neons, one lone pearl danio, one columbian red/blue tetra, 2 bristle nose plecos and way too many corys in a 55 gallon tank.

For a while I had a juvenile male molly in this tank. One day it started harassing the red/blue tetra. He started chasing and nipping this old fish (it is at least 4 years old). This little tetra had been used to cycle a tank and had been brought back to the pet store. I adopted him and he has been with me since January 2015. I removed the molly and my tank went back to the peaceful tank it has always been.

I am glad you now have peace in your tank, the black skirts have their own peaceful place to live and now everyone seems to be happy. I often think even otherwise peaceful fish can get nippy when confined in a little box with fish that they wouldn't be with if they were in a natural setting.

I know I would get pretty nippy if I had to live with folks that constantly got on my very last nerve

 

I wonder if it is possible the reason for the discord in the tank was caused by the combined types of fish and not just the temperament of the B. skirts? I have the 6 black skirts, 5 neons, one lone pearl danio, one columbian red/blue tetra, 2 bristle nose plecos and way too many corys in a 55 gallon tank.

For a while I had a juvenile male molly in this tank. One day it started harassing the red/blue tetra. He started chasing and nipping this old fish (it is at least 4 years old). This little tetra had been used to cycle a tank and had been brought back to the pet store. I adopted him and he has been with me since January 2015. I removed the molly and my tank went back to the peaceful tank it has always been.

I am glad you now have peace in your tank, the back skirts have their own peaceful place to live and now everyone seems to be happy. I often think even otherwise peaceful fish can get nippy when confined in a little box with fish that they wouldn't be with if they were in a natural setting.

I know I would get pretty nippy if I had to live with folks that constantly got on my very last nerve

Hmmm. Maybe, but they're happy now and my Cory's just laid eggs. I've got about 20 already 2 to 3 weeks old. Going to sell them, I guess. Petland gives you a credit for fish you bring in. Not sure how much, but I can't keep that many and I can't stand seeing the other fish eating them. Lol, Something else I've got to learn to deal with. They're only eggs and my fish love them. Ugh! :/

 

Hmmm. Maybe, but they're happy now and my Cory's just laid eggs. I've got about 20 already 2 to 3 weeks old. Going to sell them, I guess. Petland gives you a credit for fish you bring in. Not sure how much, but I can't keep that many and I can't stand seeing the other fish eating them. Lol, Something else I've got to learn to deal with. They're only eggs and my fish love them. Ugh! :/

It is good that all the fish are happy now

I know that you mean about not being able to keep all the cory and their eggs. My tank is now overstocked because the corys got so comfortable in there. I started with 3 albino and 3 bronze. Just guessing since that is all I can do because they are constantly on the move I would guess I have at least 25 bronze in there. Now when I see eggs I scrape them off to make it easier for all the fish, even the cory that laid them, to eat them. I consider it good healthy food for all of them. My tiny super red bristlenose pleco it really good at cleaning up any I happen to miss.

 

Yeah, I have 4 Cory's now, but not sure how many more to keep. I have one fry that looks like she's on steroids, she's huge, at least 3 times bigger than the others in her hatch, I'm definitely keeping her. Wow, you do have a lot. That's awesome. I can stop saying the eggs, I mean, we eat eggs, ya know? But what I can't stand is the live bearers. Oh my gosh, I started with 9 platys. I now have at least 25 to 30 because I can't stand there and watch them get eaten when I can save them. Gotta get over that, 4 sure, but I don't think I can. I know if I had a chance to start over, I'd only choose egg layers!

So, does a bristle nose pleco stay small? I wanted one but was told that get huge.

 

Yeah, I have 4 Cory's now, but not sure how many more to keep. I have one fry that looks like she's on steroids, she's huge, at least 3 times bigger than the others in her hatch, I'm definitely keeping her. Wow, you do have a lot. That's awesome. I can stop saying the eggs, I mean, we eat eggs, ya know? But what I can't stand is the live bearers. Oh my gosh, I started with 9 platys. I now have at least 25 to 30 because I can't stand there and watch them get eaten when I can save them. Gotta get over that, 4 sure, but I don't think I can. I know if I had a chance to start over, I'd only choose egg layers!

I know it is very difficult to not at least try to save all the little guys but without doing something you will be so over-run with fry it won't be healthy for any of them. It might be easier if you could think of it that way. It is much better to have quality instead of quantity.

 

I got 3 boys and while they have their spats every now and again, theyre absolutely terrified of my molly boss lol the molly rules the tank, even the betta backs down.

But theyre little piranhas. Theyre not my cup of tea for fish but theyre fun. My husband likes them. I prefer less savage fish haha ideally theyd be great in their own tank I think too. That's why I'm a little nervous about possibly adding one or two more. I worry that they'd upset the order that's in my community with more.

 

So, does a bristle nose pleco stay small? I wanted one but was told that get huge.

My Elbert, that handsome fellow over there in my avatar is about 5 1/2 inches long. My little female super red BN is tiny compared to him. Both are full grown.

Common plecos on the other hand do get huge.

 

Yes, you're right! I have to stop!

 

Yes, you're right! I have to stop!

If you give them a fighting chance with lots of hiding spots the strongest will survive and the weakest ones will be good food for your other fish. As hard as it is to allow it to happen that is the way it is in nature.

When I first got mollies I made up my mind I wouldn't go to extreme lengths to save the fry. At first I failed miserably at that. I did my best to save everyone I could catch. It didn't take long to realize I would soon have way more fish than I would have homes for so stayed strong when new fry come along. Some grew to adults but most ended up food. I couldn't handle it so I re-homed all my female mollies.

 

I got 3 boys and while they have their spats every now and again, theyre absolutely terrified of my molly boss lol the molly rules the tank, even the betta backs down.

But theyre little piranhas. Theyre not my cup of tea for fish but theyre fun. My husband likes them. I prefer less savage fish haha ideally theyd be great in their own tank I think too. That's why I'm a little nervous about possibly adding one or two more. I worry that they'd upset the order that's in my community with more.

Oh wow! I want a molly someday. They are so pretty!

If you give them a fighting chance with lots of hiding spots the strongest will survive and the weakest ones will be good food for your other fish. As hard as it is to allow it to happen that is the way it is in nature.

When I first got mollies I made up my mind I wouldn't go to extreme lengths to save the fry. At first I failed miserably at that. I did my best to save everyone I could catch. It didn't take long to realize I would soon have way more fish than I would have homes for so stayed strong when new fry come along. Some grew to adults but most ended up food. I couldn't handle it so I re-homed all my female mollies.

Oh, poor thing. I'm gonna try to walk away. I stocked to the max, no more!!!

My Elbert, that handsome fellow over there in my avatar is about 5 1/2 inches long. My little female super red BN is tiny compared to him. Both are full grown.

Common plecos on the other hand do get huge.

My stupid phone is not charging and may die. I didn't see the pics, did you send?

 

My stupid phone is not charging and may die. I didn't see the pics, did you send?

My avatar photo is the picture of Elbert. opps. maybe you can't see our avatars on your phone.

 

My brother used to have a school of black skirt tetras and they were such great fish. Weird that so many people seem to be having issues with them, as my brothers never caused any trouble at all.

 

If you give them a fighting chance with lots of hiding spots the strongest will survive and the weakest ones will be good food for your other fish. As hard as it is to allow it to happen that is the way it is in nature.

When I first got mollies I made up my mind I wouldn't go to extreme lengths to save the fry. At first I failed miserably at that. I did my best to save everyone I could catch. It didn't take long to realize I would soon have way more fish than I would have homes for so stayed strong when new fry come along. Some grew to adults but most ended up food. I couldn't handle it so I re-homed all my female mollies.

Good idea. I may remove my males. I only have two. They keep having girls so my boys have all of them pregnant most of the time. I feel sorry for the girls.

Wow, he's lucky. That's great.