My serpae tetras only like to bottomfeed?

[WindyCityFlyer]

It is really odd. They only like to eat the pellets that I drop down for the cories/snail. They used to eat food like any normal fish...

[hydra01]

It is really odd. They only like to eat the pellets that I drop down for the cories/snail. They used to eat food like any normal fish...

Could just be that they like it better. Whenever I put in flake food after a live/frozen feeding, they seem to be much less enthusiastic about eating the dry stuff.

I wouldn't worry, if they are hungry enough they will eat whatever food you put in the tank.

[WindyCityFlyer]

Could it be that they are stressed? I only have them in a school of three and actively looking to make the school bigger (don't like the current selection at the stores.) They kind of sit near the bottom all the time while all of my other fish are extremely active.

[hydra01]

Could it be that they are stressed? I only have them in a school of three and actively looking to make the school bigger (don't like the current selection at the stores.) They kind of sit near the bottom all the time while all of my other fish are extremely active.

Could be, you should definitely add more. I would add according to your tank size. What else is in the tank with them?

[Gregg]

I just set up a 75g tank and currently have 5 Congo Tetras and 6 Sterbai Cories. I bought Aqueon Tropical Flake Food and Spirulina 20 Flakes for the Tetras and Hikari Sinking Wafers for the cories. The tetras will eat the flake food, but when I drop in those wafers there are one or two tetras who go crazy for them. I'm assuming there must be something in the wafers that smell really good to them.

I don't think it's a huge deal as long as they eat. The cories don't seem to mind sharing. I've ordered some freeze dried daphnia and brine shrimp which I expect the tetras will really like.

Actually the interesting thing about the Congos is I got them because I thought they mostly would stay at the top/middle of the tank, but they tend to inhabit the middle/bottom of the tank more. I only have a piece of driftwood and some small rocks in the tank now, so I'm thinking they feel uncomfortable swimming around in big open spaces. I ordered a bunch of plants which should come tomorrow. I'm hoping that will encourage them to swim around the whole tank more.

It is really odd. They only like to eat the pellets that I drop down for the cories/snail. They used to eat food like any normal fish...

[WindyCityFlyer]

Could be, you should definitely add more. I would add according to your tank size. What else is in the tank with them?

The 3 tetras, 5 platys, 3 Cories, 2 golden panchax, 2 otos, and a snail. 36 gallon bowfront tank.

[hydra01]

The 3 tetras, 5 platys, 3 Cories, 2 golden panchax, 2 otos, and a snail. 36 gallon bowfront tank.

yeah I would definitely add more. You don't have any fish that can intimidate them, so I would say you are good on that.

[Lady Hobbs]

The only thing important here is that they are eating. Only worry when they are not.

[WindyCityFlyer]

The only thing important here is that they are eating. Only worry when they are not.

Well less than they were in my smaller tank. It is like they are afraid to go to the surface. I have yet to see one that will. I want to get three more and test them out at the LFS to see if they go to the surface when my hand gets near the top. Maybe the new ones will condition the existing ones to eat from the surface.

[hydra01]

Well less than they were in my smaller tank. It is like they are afraid to go to the surface. I have yet to see one that will. I want to get three more and test them out at the LFS to see if they go to the surface when my hand gets near the top. Maybe the new ones will condition the existing ones to eat from the surface.

I would check your water parameters. It depends on how the fish look. I have glowlights that are 100% healthy that never seem to venture more than a foot away from a huge sword plant I have.

I would certainly check the parameters, and if they are good I would try adding more. Tetras and Rasboras do not do well in small numbers.