Rasbora Color Loss

So here's the deal.

I have 4 harlequin rasboras. About three days ago I upgraded from a 10 gallon tank to a 20 long. Before the upgrade, one of them was losing some of it's red tint. Now it's more pronounced and it's moving to two of the others, one more so. The fourth almost looks like it's gaining more color and is also getting a little fiesty. Chasing the others and whatnot. When this isn't going on they actually school now in a little cluster.

Water parameters were great last night.
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 5
Best results I've had yet. Better than the 10 gallon ever was.

My question is, if I were to get 2-4 more rasboras today would that help calm the bad behavior and perk up the others?

 

It's possible as they usually pick amongst themselves. What other fish do you have wirh them? Did this start before or after you moved them?

 

I noticed one lost a bit of color before moving to a bigger tank. I attributed it to being overstocked. It was a 10 gallon with

1 Male Betta Splendens
4 Harlequin Rasboras
3 Panda Corys
4 Ghost Shrimp
1 Black Racer Nerite Snail
1 Blue Mystery Snail

So all that is now in a 20 long. So now I'm thinking stress from an over abundance of space instead of a sufficient school? I was going to get 2-6 more today, but wouldn't you know it my PetSmart was out and it was stocking day on top of that. If I have to I'll go to the bigger one over an hour away my next day off (Sunday) to get more.

 

They do sound like they are stressed. Possibly from the move but they do better in schools of at least 6 so I would definitely get more but it's not a rush either. Wait til your local pet store gets another order in. Just keep an eye on them for now.

 

I noticed one lost a bit of color before moving to a bigger tank. I attributed it to being overstocked. It was a 10 gallon with

1 Male Betta Splendens
4 Harlequin Rasboras
3 Panda Corys
4 Ghost Shrimp
1 Black Racer Nerite Snail
1 Blue Mystery Snail

So all that is now in a 20 long. So now I'm thinking stress from an over abundance of space instead of a sufficient school? I was going to get 2-6 more today, but wouldn't you know it my PetSmart was out and it was stocking day on top of that. If I have to I'll go to the bigger one over an hour away my next day off (Sunday) to get more.

It's great that you have upgraded to the bigger tank! They were most likely feeling stressed due to being in a tank that was too small for them, in addition to not having quite enough to form a school. The change to completely new surroundings is always somewhat stressful, so it may take them a little while to settle in. There is no question that the 10 gallon was too small for them though.

How is your betta's personality? I personally would be too nervous to risk keeping one with other fish, although I have heard that it works for some people. I would keep a close eye on it. You could always move him back into the 10-gallon. That would be a wonderful home for him and would potentially reduce stress for both the betta and your other fish.

Your panda cories are also schooling fish. A 20-gallon isn't a ton of space, so I would aI'm for 6 cories and 6-8 rasboras. I keep 9 rasboras in my 29-gallon and they are thriving. They have great color, swim actively--often schooling, and have grown quite a bit since I bought them (about 7 months ago).

Be sure to monitor water quality closely when you add new fish. You may need to change the water more frequently while you wait for the beneficial bacteria to catch up. Good luck!

 

It's great that you have upgraded to the bigger tank! They were most likely feeling stressed due to being in a tank that was too small for them, in addition to not having quite enough to form a school. The change to completely new surroundings is always somewhat stressful, so it may take them a little while to settle in. There is no question that the 10 gallon was too small for them though.

How is your betta's personality? I personally would be too nervous to risk keeping one with other fish, although I have heard that it works for some people. I would keep a close eye on it. You could always move him back into the 10-gallon. That would be a wonderful home for him and would potentially reduce stress for both the betta and your other fish.

Your panda cories are also schooling fish. A 20-gallon isn't a ton of space, so I would aI'm for 6 cories and 6-8 rasboras. I keep 9 rasboras in my 29-gallon and they are thriving. They have great color, swim actively--often schooling, and have grown quite a bit since I bought them (about 7 months ago).

Be sure to monitor water quality closely when you add new fish. You may need to change the water more frequently while you wait for the beneficial bacteria to catch up. Good luck!

My betta is really mellow. He pretty much ignores everything. Did for the most part in the 10 gallon. He's even shared food with the corys. I am watching him though. As you mentioned I have the 10 gallon on standby. Have a bigger filter on the way (AQ50). Going to seed it with the bio beads from the AQ20. Then I'll probably go ahead and recycle it on the 10. If the betta is still okay at that point I'm thinking about putting a blue crayfish in it. Then if I need to move the betta he can go in the 1.5 as an emergency. All that being said I most definitely want to grow my rasbora and cory schools.

Then my next project is hopefully a 29 gallon gourami community. Which the pandas will move to for a better match on temperature. Most likely sterbais will take their place in the 20 long.

Thank you for your help.

They do sound like they are stressed. Possibly from the move but they do better in schools of at least 6 so I would definitely get more but it's not a rush either. Wait til your local pet store gets another order in. Just keep an eye on them for now.

Okay. Thank you for your help.

 

Most betta's do great in community tanks. They are like pitbulls, have a undeserved bad rep. I've always kept betta's in community tanks and have never had an issue.

 

Most betta's do great in community tanks. They are like pitbulls, have a undeserved bad rep. I've always kept betta's in community tanks and have never had an issue.

That's kind of what I've been thinking. People on here have been giving me so much flak over me keeping Henry with other fish. I would say not all bettas can handle it but some can. They're all different.

 

That's kind of what I've been thinking. People on here have been giving me so much flak over me keeping Henry with other fish. I would say not all bettas can handle it but some can. They're all different.

I agree! I get flak for it too. Here and there you will find a Betta that can't but most are docile. My Betta loves having company. He is super social and eats with the cories and tries to school with my neons and rasboras. He will even lay with the shrimp and doesn't try to hurt anyone.

I also get flak for keeping mine in a 55 gallon because everyone says they aren't great swimmers. Mine yet again does just fine and is all over the place. He isn't the first one I've kept in a 55 gallon community.

 

Would it be possible to rehome the Betta to your 10 gallon instead of the crayfish? If you rehome your betta to your 10 gallon you could do:

2-3x Honey Gourami's ( 1M/1F or 1M/2F )
12-14x Harlequin Rasboras
8-10x Panda Corydoras ( Keep in mind that there is very little temp overlap between the Panda's and the Harlequin )

Some Neocaridina of your color choosing would also suit this stocking beautifully. I would probably do 10-20x Neocaridina.

Happy Fish Keeping

 

Would it be possible to rehome the Betta to your 10 gallon instead of the crayfish? If you rehome your betta to your 10 gallon you could do:

2-3x Honey Gourami's ( 1M/1F or 1M/2F )
12-14x Harlequin Rasboras
8-10x Panda Corydoras ( Keep in mind that there is very little temp overlap between the Panda's and the Harlequin )

Some Neocaridina of your color choosing would also suit this stocking beautifully. I would probably do 10-20x Neocaridina.

Happy Fish Keeping

That is a wonderful idea. I just already started planning a separate gourami community tank though which my pandas will be moved to. Sterbais to take there place. I really like the different shrimp colors too, but don't know about paying that much money for shrimp.

 

That is a wonderful idea. I just already started planning a separate gourami community tank though which my pandas will be moved to. Sterbais to take there place. I really like the different shrimp colors too, but don't know about paying that much money for shrimp.

You can find great deals online for shrimp! At my lfs rcs are $4 a piece, I ended up getting 25 online for $25 with free shipping. Totally makes it worth It!

 

Okay guys. Recap.

Had 4 harlequins. About a week ago I moved them from a 10 to a 20 long. Common conclusion is small tank, being moved, and insufficient school has caused stress.

Yesterday I added 3 more about half the size of my previous 4. I'm assuming they're young adults or late juveniles? Anyway the new ones tend to stick with the loner rasbora (believed to be the only male out of the first 4). The other three were going nuts on the back wall this morning back and forth. Figured this might be because I upgraded my filter from a AQ20 to an AQ50 after seeding it with cycled media. Wondering if this filter will be too strong. Especially for the betta.

Additionally, for a few days now the original 4 rasboras don't seem very interested in food. Added the new 3 yesterday. Couldn't get any of them to eat this morning. Maybe still adjusting to new school and tank? Also my girlfriend accidentally spilled a lot of fish flakes into the tank a few days ago. Maybe they just gorged and don't need to eat? She did scoop out as much as she could though.

Just worried about them. Picture is of the new 3 while they were in the store.

 

Bumping for reply to last comment.

 

Okay guys. Recap.

Had 4 harlequins. About a week ago I moved them from a 10 to a 20 long. Common conclusion is small tank, being moved, and insufficient school has caused stress.

Yesterday I added 3 more about half the size of my previous 4. I'm assuming they're young adults or late juveniles? Anyway the new ones tend to stick with the loner rasbora (believed to be the only male out of the first 4). The other three were going nuts on the back wall this morning back and forth. Figured this might be because I upgraded my filter from a AQ20 to an AQ50 after seeding it with cycled media. Wondering if this filter will be too strong. Especially for the betta.

Additionally, for a few days now the original 4 rasboras don't seem very interested in food. Added the new 3 yesterday. Couldn't get any of them to eat this morning. Maybe still adjusting to new school and tank? Also my girlfriend accidentally spilled a lot of fish flakes into the tank a few days ago. Maybe they just gorged and don't need to eat? She did scoop out as much as she could though.

Just worried about them. Picture is of the new 3 while they were in the store.

Are they the same species ?

 

Are they the same species ?

Yes. Only have 6 now. I guess the smallest one didn't acclimate well. They're all harlequins though.

 

Yes. Only have 6 now. I guess the smallest one didn't acclimate well. They're all harlequins though.

There are three look alikes T.Heteromorpha, T.espeI and T.Hengeli.

 

There are three look alikes T.Heteromorpha, T.espeI and T.Hengeli.

They look like miniature versions of the 4 adults I have. One in the picture is easy to spot. The other is right below the adult in the center of the shot.

 

They look like miniature versions of the 4 adults I have. One in the picture is easy to spot. The other is right below the adult in the center of the shot.

Think you're right. I'd give some more (floating)plants

 

Think you're right. I'd give some more (floating)plants

So how do I get them to eat?

 

Did you test the water? All the extra food could have caused an ammonia spike.

Your tank looks very bright. The white sand doesn't help.
Both the rasboras and betta come from darker, heavily planted and tannin stain waters. I suggest adding more plants and floating plants, driftwood to provide more shade and hiding places and leaves for the substrate. In the fall you can collect dry beech and oak leaves, meantime you can get almond leaves or similar. The rocks could be exchanged for dark ones, a black background could be added.
Anubias and cryptcorynes are easy to take care of.



They'll color up if they feel comfortable.

I have espeI rasboras.

 

They were eating a lot though and gained a LOT of color after buying them. Now not so much.

 

Did you test the water? All the extra food could have caused an ammonia spike.

Your tank looks very bright. The white sand doesn't help.
Both the rasboras and betta come from darker, heavily planted and tannin stain waters. I suggest adding more plants and floating plants, driftwood to provide more shade and hiding places and leaves for the substrate. In the fall you can collect dry beech and oak leaves, meantime you can get almond leaves or similar. The rocks could be exchanged for dark ones, a black background could be added.
Anubias and cryptcorynes are easy to take care of.


View attachment 327183
They'll color up if they feel comfortable.

I have espeI rasboras.

Just tested the water.

Ammonia: .25 (added 2mL of Prime)
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5

 

So how do I get them to eat?

Bit of patience. What are you feeding ?

 

Bit of patience. What are you feeding ?

I alternate between betta pellets, freeze dried blood worms, and tropical flakes. They've eaten all of it before.

 

I alternate between betta pellets, freeze dried blood worms, and tropical flakes. They've eaten all of it before.

Let them adapt and try again to crumble some flakes later.