troubled tetras

[rpmdj1]

Hi All
I havent posted lately but I have read when I can
I have a 20 gl tank which has been cycled for about a month and I have checked it at least every other day.
the tank has 1 male Betta, 5 tetras (was 6 as of last thursday) 1 has died over the weekend The Betta is doing great the red colored tetras are doing great the clearish not so good as I said one has died over the weekend another is hiding behind the heater near the top of the tank the last is doing fine, what have I done wrong any help is much appreciated
thanks
Russ

[pjaldave]

What kind of tetras are we talking about? Pics would help if you don't know what tetras you have.

Plus, were they put in the tank all the same time? Or is there any new additions?

[kurly]

Tetras are a schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least five of the same species. When there are only one or two of each kind they don't feel safe and will sometimes hide.

What kind of Tetras do you have? And how many of each?

[imma24]

Hi All
I havent posted lately but I have read when I can
I have a 20 gl tank which has been cycled for about a month and I have checked it at least every other day.
the tank has 1 male Betta, 5 tetras (was 6 as of last thursday) 1 has died over the weekend The Betta is doing great the red colored tetras are doing great the clearish not so good as I said one has died over the weekend another is hiding behind the heater near the top of the tank the last is doing fine, what have I done wrong any help is much appreciated
thanks
Russ

So what were your last water parameter readings (I assume that's what you mean when you say you have checked it every other day) and when is the last time you changed your water?

[rpmdj1]

Ok to answer questions,
1 there are 2 species of tetras one is slightly red and the other is more white translucent
2 water test today, Amo=.30 , tri=0, tra=3.0-4.0
3 I did put in all 6 at the same time after drip acclimation
4 I change water 5gls weekly
I hope all this helps and I just noticed today that my amo is high so im fixing it now with ammquel plus
and thanks for the replies
Russ
if you need more pics just say so

[sheamurai]

so far it sounds like the tetras aren't liking the ammonia. Your tank isn't done cycling yet or you added too many fish too fast. You need to do DAILY water changes, not weekly, until the ammonia reads 0, to prevent further fish deaths.

The red ones looks like they might be serpae's, can't quite make out the other one to be able to guess at an ID.

[ldoerr]

I know this is off topic but I just noticed your sig. I hope that you know that a 56g is the ABSOLUTE MINIMUM tank size for ONE Oscar. You will need to get a tank of over 110g if you wish to house both. The general rule on an Oscar fish forum that I am a member of it that you need 55g for EACH Oscar. You will also need TONES of filtration along with weekly 50% or greater WCs.

As far as this thread goes, you should be doing daily WCs to get that ammonia under control.

[rpmdj1]

Before I added anything the tank was cycled so you are probably right to many fish all at once ,well time to do a water change
thanks all
Russ

[Lady Hobbs]

Big water change of at least half. Neons are very sensitive to toxic water and not a good fish for cycling at all. Do not change out your filter media and feed as little as possible so rotting food is not adding to the ammonia level.

[rpmdj1]

Big water change of at least half. Neons are very sensitive to toxic water and not a good fish for cycling at all. Do not change out your filter media and feed as little as possible so rotting food is not adding to the ammonia level.

as I had said I had the tank cycled so either I overfed or I added to many fish all at once.Do you think I should take the fish home and let the tank finish its cycle?