Neon Tetra Not Schooling Together

I've got 10 neon tetras in a 10 gallon tank with sobo submersible filter fitted in it. Among those 10 neons, 5 neons swim around the tank like they own the tank but the other 5 make a school and stays near the filter in the bottom left corner. Are they stressed or something?

 

Sounds like they may be. How long has the tank been running and is it cycled? How are the water parameters? Is this a planted tank? You may want to consider something a little larger for that many neons as well if possible. Like a 20 Gallon long would do well for them.

 

It's been running for 3 years now and yes, it is cycled. the water parameters are normal. It's artificially planted tank.
The 80 gallon tank I've got has aggressive fish and I'm sure my neons wouldn't want me to put them in that tank.

 

It's been running for 3 years now and yes, it is cycled. the water parameters are normal. It's artificially planted tank.
The 80 gallon tank I've got has aggressive fish and I'm sure my neons wouldn't want me to put them in that tank.

Ahh gotcha. It does seem odd that half of them act normal and the other half don't. Do they come away from the filter to eat and then go right back?
I have a friend with a school of 11 neons that all hide in the corner nearest the filter 90% of the time. There is not much else in the tank except a super shy pleco that hides more than they do. I have 12 in my own tank and they are always out and visible and stay together. Same sized tanks, but I have dark substrate, more plants, and more tank mates.

 

Yes, they come out to eat.
Their tank mates includes 8 pink zebra danios (small), 1 pleco , 1 widow tetra and 4 dwarf gouramies. I've got blue sand in my tank with coral and some black and blue colored stones. and yeah, the artificial plants as well.

 

I've got 10 neon tetras in a 10 gallon tank with sobo submersible filter fitted in it. Among those 10 neons, 5 neons swim around the tank like they own the tank but the other 5 make a school and stays near the filter in the bottom left corner. Are they stressed or something?

It's been running for 3 years now and yes, it is cycled. the water parameters are normal. It's artificially planted tank.

Yes, they come out to eat.
Their tank mates includes 8 pink zebra danios (small), 1 pleco , 1 widow tetra and 4 dwarf gouramies. I've got blue sand in my tank with coral and some black and blue colored stones. and yeah, the artificial plants as well.

So you have
10 neon tetras
8 zebra danios
1 pleco (what kind?)
1 widow tetra
4 dwarf Gouramins
In a 10 gallon tank? How long have all these fish been in this tank? If it has been for the full 3 years this tank has been up and running then I will say no more other than how often do you do water changes and how much do you change each time?

I would have to say yes, the neons are stressed but what amazes me is the fact that they are still alive. How long have you had them in there?

 

It's the common pleco.
All these fishes have been here for 3 years now except for the zebra danios and the neon tetras. I added them last week.
I do 25% water change once a week.

 

It's the common pleco.
All these fishes have been here for 3 years now except for the zebra danios and the neon tetras. I added them last week.
I do 25% water change once a week.

How big is your pleco now. At 3 years old I am surprised that a common isn't already longer than the tank is wide.

Your new fish may survive but will never act natural with that many fish in a 10 gallon tank. If this were my tank I would be changing out no less than 75% of the water each and every week. If it were my tank I wouldn't have a common pleco in there either.

 

Wow, that's a lot of fish in there. I agree, I think they're stressed. Danios are active fish, then you've got the other schooling fish, the neon Tetras, plus the others. Perhaps there's not enough room for them to form a proper school? I'm looking at my 10 gallon and trying to picture this. It seems like it'd be pretty busy.

 

It's the common pleco.
.

Do you mean a Common Pleco or are you saying "The common pleco" as in The one a lot of people have (Bristlenose)

 

If you like Neon Tetras then just keep the Neons in that tank and return the others to the shop.

Neons should really be in a 20 long for the swimming room.

I'd expect the five that are not swimming are probably suffering stress from water quality or tankmate issues.