Skirt Tetras just sitting still?

Picture is attached. Most of my skirt tetras seem to just sit in one place most of the day. I recently moved them from a 20 gallon into their new 15 gallon, but that shouldn’t have been too much of a difference right?

if it’s of any importance, the largest Skirt went absolutely bananas before I took this picture. He went flying around the tank at incredible speed, only to immediately return to this position and sit completely still. I’m just trying to figure out this behavior. Thanks for any suggestions

Edit: Tank is 15 gallons
6 black skirt tetras
3 ancient zebra danios (still very active)


Ph: 6.8

Ammonia: .1 (due to 99% water change 2 days ago)

Nitrite: 0

Nitrate: 2-3

Temp: 73.5

 

He isn't familiar with this tank. Since you just moved him, even if you have similar landscape and such, they will be afraid of everything in the tank. Do you have hiding spaces/a decent sized group of them? I would turn off lights and not go too close to the tank... that can stress them out. Did you acclimate them when transferring? (If the temperature is the same I doubt it would make a difference, but worth a thought.)

Edit: I just saw your edit and saw that you had 0.1ppm of ammonia due to 99% water change? Is that because of the new setup? Did you use the same filter media/sponge? Do you use test strips or API Master Test Kit to test your water?

 

He isn't familiar with this tank. Since you just moved him, even if you have similar landscape and such, they will be afraid of everything in the tank. Do you have hiding spaces/a decent sized group of them? I would turn off lights and not go too close to the tank... that can stress them out. Did you acclimate them when transferring? (If the temperature is the same I doubt it would make a difference, but worth a thought.)

They have been in there nearly 3 days, would they still be acclimating?

I think there could definitely be some hiding space issues. The tank is a bit open at the moment.

There is a full group of 6 of them! They should be happy in those numbers, since they displayed great shoaling behavior and overall health in the last 20 gallon tank.

 

They have been in there nearly 3 days, would they still be acclimating?

I think there could definitely be some hiding space issues. The tank is a bit open at the moment.

There is a full group of 6 of them! They should be happy in those numbers, since they displayed great shoaling behavior and overall health in the last 20 gallon tank.

I think the move to a new tank and an open space is enough to stress them out. Turn off lights, feed less, and don't stress them out too much. You should probably add some more hiding areas so they get used to the tank faster. It might take a while, they aren't too brave with a group of 6 (I know that's the group number, usually more is better).

 

I think the move to a new tank and an open space is enough to stress them out. Turn off lights, feed less, and don't stress them out too much. You should probably add some more hiding areas so they get used to the tank faster. It might take a while, they aren't too brave with a group of 6 (I know that's the group number, usually more is better).

thanks for your help. Any suggestions for good ways to create hiding areas?

 

thanks for your help. Any suggestions for good ways to create hiding areas?

More live plants or decorations could help. I don't think that your tetras would use caves (meant for plecos, catfish, and corydoras mainly) so I think that an area that is heavily planted would be ideal. After they get used to the tank they will swim all over the tank, but that planted area will be their "safe spot".