New to Tanks and Tetras

Hello, I recently bought a new fish tank around 4 weeks ago, the tank readings were good when i first introduced 5 black neon tetras (1 was my first casualty in the second week of having the tank) and 5 neon tetras.
I have since increased the count to 10 neons and 4 black.
My current issue however is that while many of my other neons still have their bright blue stripe and bright red colour, some are losing the brightness to their red, is there a way to brighten them? my lights in my room are dim most of the time.
I also have one neon that seemed to be pale from the start with a lack of blue and red to it however it will shoal and school when frightened as well as eat so I'm not sure if I should be worried.
I do a 1/4 tank water change weekly with a gravel vac. I'm currently saving up a bit of money to buy an api test kit but the last time i got the water tested (last week) i was told the levels were fine.
A slightly concerned tetra owner,
can attach photos if needed

 

How big is your tank? Did you cycle it before adding the fish or was it more of an accidental in fish cycle?

 

How big is your tank? Did you cycle it before adding the fish or was it more of an accidental in fish cycle?

I cycled my tank for roughly a week and a half before I put the fish in, and made sure to test the water before adding them in.
The tank is on the (much) smaller side at about 4.3 g I think, its about 16L (sorry from sydney, au that being said my response may be delayed as it is 1am here)

 

Alright I see the problem. Schooling fish like tetras need a lot of space to swim. They may be small but they are active.
Something around 20g approx 75L would be my minimum.

 

Sounds like waaay too many fish in way to small of a tank. If you're not testing the water, are you doing massive water changes? A week is not enough time to cycle the tank and grow the bacteria needed to process that toxic ammonia.

You'll lose more fish. Maybe all of them.

Get a bigger tank (20gal+), test kit, or return most if not all of those fish.

 

Sounds like waaay too many fish in way to small of a tank. If you're not testing the water, are you doing massive water changes? A week is not enough time to cycle the tank and grow the bacteria needed to process that toxic ammonia.

You'll lose more fish. Maybe all of them.

Get a bigger tank (20gal+), test kit, or return most if not all of those fish.

I do a little over a quarter tank change each week

 

Not enough, those little fishies will create toxins fast.
If I read correctly you said 4.3 gallons? With 14 fish?? I hope that was a typo.

 

I would either rehome the tetras or get a bigger tank.

 

Not enough, those little fishies will create toxins fast.
If I read correctly you said 4.3 gallons? With 14 fish?? I hope that was a typo.

yeah I quadruple checked with my local fish store before putting the fish in and they kept reassuring me it would be fine. Should i be doing more than one change a week?

 

Did they also know thier left hand from thier right hand?
Sadly, not all fish store associates actually give good advice.
That tank is suitable for a single Betta. Not suitable for a school of fish though, not enough swimming room for them, or enough water volume to dilute and then process thier waste.

Sorry they gave bad advice, but to them, you'll be a return customer since you bought wrong and most come back to buy bigger tanks for the wrong fish they got sold, so a win in the eyes of a business. Just another sale.

Plus a simple Google of "how many neon tetras in what size tank" would have yielded much more accurate information than the store sold you.

 

Hi there, welcome to fishlore.

If they havent been provided yet water parameters would be appreciated.

The fish are new, and probably stressed form the transition so it makes sense the blue stripe is faded. A black background will make the colors pop more, over white backgrounds I have found. I find that a dark substrate and a dark background really brings out colors.

 

Hi there, welcome to fishlore.

If they havent been provided yet water parameters would be appreciated.

The fish are new, and probably stressed form the transition so it makes sense the blue stripe is faded. A black background will make the colors pop more, over white backgrounds I have found. I find that a dark substrate and a dark background really brings out colors.

The rest of my neon tetras all have bright blue stripes and pretty bright red colouring, its just one single one that was introduced three weeks ago with the first lot that has been pale since I bought it, the rest seem to be thriving. I was just curious as to why one neon is pale while the rest (13) are vivid.
I unfortunately don't have a test kit yet and rely on my local fish shops free tests while I work up some pocket money to buy a test kit so I can't give you the parameters

 

It could easily be a weak one that still hasn't took the transition of a new tank well.

 

It could easily be a weak one that still hasn't took the transition of a new tank well.

Even if its eating and swimming normally?

it doesn't hide at all and seems quite active. It has the tiniest reflect of blue around its eye (at first I thought it mightve been an albino one that was missed) and its eye is blue, however the red is a pale pink.

Is it ill or still stressed?

 

Please save up for a bigger tank. 4 gallons is not enough.

 

Even if its eating and swimming normally?

it doesn't hide at all and seems quite active. It has the tiniest reflect of blue around its eye (at first I thought it mightve been an albino one that was missed) and its eye is blue, however the red is a pale pink.

Is it ill or still stressed?

Most of the time paleness is caused by stress but even if it is eating and swimming fine there can still be stress..

and as like they have said a 4 gallon tank is unsuitable for neon tetras.