New schooling fish remain hidden and isolated

Hi everyone. New to the forum and fishkeeping in general. I bought a 29 gallon tank in early April and made sure everything was set up properly. I did a fishless cycle that lasted about 6 weeks until my tank could return 0 ammonia and nitrite within 18 hours after dosing 3-4 ppm ammonia for a few days. Did a large water change to bring nitrates down to 5 ppm and headed off to the fish store (petco). Like most folks new to the hobby my daughters (and myself tbh) were intrigued by the glofish tetras. Mind you we had seen them before so I did a ton of research on how to best care for them such as getting a larger tank, having adequate heating (77 degrees) and filtration (aqua clear 70). I know they’re a schooling fish so we got 6 to start. I temp acclimated for 25 mins then did drip acclimation for an hour.

Unfortunately after 2 days one of our guys didn’t make it. I retested the water and it still has the same parameters of 0 ammonia, nitrite, and small traces of nitrate. I’m not beating myself up too bad bc I know they’re already stressed coming from a big box fish store. The other 5 seem to have claimed an area in the tank and remain in isolation. I dosed the tank with stress coat to try and help as well as kept most of the lights in the room dimmed. They’re in the basement next to my office so it’s not a high traffic area during the day (or at night for the most part). Am I doing things right and it just takes time for them to get comfortable? Also would adding more tetras for a 29 tank allow them to school more comfortably? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

It sounds like you’re doing everything right. As you said, it’s completely normal to lose some new fish because they are intolerant of new waters or due to the stress of moving. As for the hiding of the tetras, are you able to post a photo of the tank so we can get a better understanding of the setup? An AC 70 is a great filter but it’s possible the current is a bit strong for the tetras as well so you should turn it down if not already turned down and see if that helps. Plant coverage will also help. Be best like I said if you can post a photo

 

It sounds like you’re doing everything right. As you said, it’s completely normal to lose some new fish because they are intolerant of new waters or due to the stress of moving. As for the hiding of the tetras, are you able to post a photo of the tank so we can get a better understanding of the setup? An AC 70 is a great filter but it’s possible the current is a bit strong for the tetras as well so you should turn it down if not already turned down and see if that helps. Plant coverage will also help. Be best like I said if you can post a photo

Of course as I went to take a picture they came out of hiding bc they probably thought it was feeding time. Plants are all fake as I figure trying to keep both alive would be a daunting task. The filter is and has been turned all the way down since they’ve been introduced to the tank.

 

Hi Smillz15
Welcome to fishlore.
Those are skirt tetras or widow tetras I believe.
Glow fish are Not allowed to be sold in my area of Australia so someone else can hopefully name the species?

I know the internet would say 6 is a minimum school but from my experience 15 is a school 6 is a frighten group.
Get more is my advice. Or get the non glow variety of the same species if you wish they will group / school together .

 

Hi Smillz15
Welcome to fishlore.
Those are skirt tetras or widow tetras I believe.
Glow fish are Not allowed to be sold in my area of Australia so someone else can hopefully name the species?

I know the internet would say 6 is a minimum school but from my experience 15 is a school 6 is a frighten group.
Get more is my advice. Or get the non glow variety of the same species if you wish they will group / school together .

Thanks for the welcome!
They’re definitely glofish tetras. I’m in the US. Original plan was to work my way up to 15-20 gradually by introducing 2-3 every few weeks or so. That way I can calibrate feeding amounts, water change schedules, and filtration cleaning. The petco I got them from I probably should have used more caution. Tanks were definitely overcrowded and I think the fish were already stressed to start.

 

They are most likely white skirt tetras according to the link on fishlore Glofish Care, Size, Life Span, Tank Mates, Breeding .

I have kept the black shirts/ black widows and found them to be fin nippers. A bigger group will often help spread the aggression between more fish. Another reason to get more.
18 to 20 should be a good number?

 

I agree with the above about them being the same species as black skirt tetras and white skirt tetras, and that it doesn't sound like you did anything wrong. If you'd like more variety in the tank you could get black or white skirt tetras of the non-glow variety.

 

Thank you all!