Why are my tetras at war with each other???

[GouramiFan87]

Sometimes I think it would be easier if I just got a ferret. Man fish are so hard to keep, I'm getting tired of them. As if my problems couldn't get any worse, the bloodfins do nothing but chase each other around. Unfortunately, I don't think that is all they do. They nipped one other bloodfin to death (I'm sure due to the stress on him) and now they're after another one, the smallest bloodfin. They all seem to go after this one. They have completely destroyed his dorsal fin, it's almost like a ragged stump now. What is going ON with these fish???? Seriously, I thought bloodfins were supposed to be PEACEFUL? I'm getting sick of the stress over these creatures cuz all they're good at is DYING.

[GouramiFan87]

Ok so I just observed what is happening. The largest of the bloodfin tetras is going after the one's dorsal fin, freely chomping away at it like it's food. What is up with this?

[Cliff]

This is odd, never had that problem.

My tetras have aways been OK. I"ve heard that you need at least 6 tetras as they are a a schooling fish. If you have less than 6, that might have something to do with it.

Not to sure but it might be worth looking into

[GouramiFan87]

TELL ME ABOUT IT I have the WORST luck with fish!!!. Right now there are 5 because the other tetra was stressed to death. Maybe I should keep 8?

[annageckos]

Bloodfins can be nippy tetras. Actually a lot of tetras can be nippy. They are one of the species that getts nippier if not kept in a larger school, 8 or more. From my experiance tetras with that body type (like the bloodfins) tend to be nippier than other tetras.

[ippielb]

I have the exact same problem, but with neon tetras, i got six of them, and i think one claimed 3/4 of the tank to be its own. And it's chasing all the other ones, and just non stop they're fighting with eachother.

[cer]

Yeah the more agressive the tetra species you keep the more you want to have.