Penguin Tetras going crazy

[lahlumdi]

Tonight my Penguin Tetras (10 of them) are going crazy. Yes, sometimes they nip at each other or one of the other fish in the tank. But tonight it is a wild chase all over the place up and down the sides and behind the filter, etc almost like a roller coaster ride. They are often cluster together like a bunch of horses at the races.

I am thinking mating behavior? There is definate harassement, but it doesn't seem the same as nipping irritation. There is a frenzy to it.

Thoughts?

[Lady Hobbs]

Sounds like spawning to me but generally tetra's are early morning spawners. By noon they have worn themselves out of all the excitement. :) They get very active but especially if you have more guys than gals.

[lahlumdi]

Thanks! That's what I am thinking. Previously the tetras I have had for any length of time are rummy nose, who don't mate in captivity as a rule. So I wasn't too sure. But they were acting a bit like I've seen in Platys I used to have.

[Lady Hobbs]

I feel sorry for the little girls at times because those boys are relentless.

[lahlumdi]

Yes, last night one of the girls was literally lying on it's side at the bottom (must have been a female), under camoflage and the guys found her again. Poor thing! She survived tho!

[imma24]

I feel bad - if fish get stressed that much it can lead to illness or death - I'm sure you dont' want that to happen - that's why when it comes to certain fish, it's recommended to have several females for every male so the chasing is distributed amongst them - less stress.

[lahlumdi]

With some tetras it can be difficult to tell the difference between the male and females when you get them. Even later. The same if you get them when they are are young.

They all survived and all are fine today. Seems to me this kind of thing happens in the wild. I have a lot of plants, and hiding places. A castle and 2 rocks with a hideaway space between them and the glass. Plus a filter column running top to bottom that they hide behind. I don't feel like I am providing a dangerous environment for my fish.

Evidently there are people that put fighting fish together just to watch what happens, like cock fights. I don't think that's appropriate. But I don't think this is the same thing.

[hardlytangerine]

Mine do this too aswell, but I thought it was just a pecking order. Usually it's a bigger one that chases a smaller one, other times it's the other way around. They "nip" at each other but I've never actually seen them physically nip, it's more a thing to start a chase or something. I've had mine almost a year but I've never really "figured them out" haha :) (never seen them spawning)