Is this normal?

**CrunchyLeaf** · 04-13-2012, 03:55 PM

Every night my neon tetras exhibit a swimming behavior that is different than the daytime. I tried to get a video of it. They are shoaling around in the tank and individuals within the group will point down towards the substrate and bob up and down in place. This video is a very mild example. Sometimes all 12 of them are doing it for long periods of time. Is this a normal behavior for a school of neons? Or could it indicate some sort of problem?

Excuse the dirty glass and Charlie the cat is whining in the background because he isn't the center of attention.

Tank parameters are as follows: 10 gallon with 12 neons, 1 ADF and 1 Oticat. Temp is 24, Ammonia = 0, Nitrites = 0, Nitrates = below 20 ppm.

**ekfishlover2011** · 04-13-2012, 04:41 PM

it looks almost like its the way they are hitting the current right there. From what i can see its in that same spot every time. Somebody else can chime in to what they see too.

**MCHRKiller** · 04-13-2012, 05:52 PM

Do they do this behavior on the end of the tank opposite the filter? I agree this seems to be only in the flow path of the filter.

**CrunchyLeaf** · 04-13-2012, 05:58 PM

I hadn't really thought about it being the flow of the filter. The only reason I don't think it's that is because they never do it during the day, only at night.

They always do it in the front right corner of the tank. I have an AC30 HOB filter all the way in the back left corner turned to the lowest setting (although it's still a pretty high output) then in the center of the tank is a topfin 10 filter. It doesn't have a very strong flow. I'll be removing the 10 as soon as the 30 is finished seeding with bacteria.

They do often go over on the left side of the tank and swim in the current from the AC30. I think they enjoy it. I guess it's possible in such a small tank that it could be causing a circular flow around the edges of the tank that causes a current in the front right corner as well. As long as this doesn't look like some crazy behavior caused by a sickness or something, then I will chalk it up to being an interesting and entertaining behavior to watch at night.

**MCHRKiller** · 04-13-2012, 06:11 PM

The fish themselves appear to be fat and healthy, I would at this point chalk it up to current. However do keep an eye on them and see if the behavior reduces once you remove the other filter...you may also consider turning the flow down on the AC30 to see if that stops the behavior.

**Fish from Filly** · 04-13-2012, 07:16 PM

I have a school of 9 and they do that also! I don't know that it's only at night though...I'm pretty sure it's the current for me too as its usually only toward the top of the tank, not the bottom where the current from spray bar doesn't really hit them.

**bignellm** · 04-13-2012, 07:29 PM

I guess I'll vote odd currents too. Though almost looks like a hunt. Like looking at the gravel for things to eat from way up, like a bird of prey. Never seen any of my tetra do that though. But mine like to hide in the back weeds alot.

**Ghpr13** · 04-13-2012, 08:21 PM

After seeing the video, I would also say it's being caused by the current. It seems very localized.

Ghpr13:)

**CrunchyLeaf** · 04-13-2012, 08:32 PM

Sweet! Yeah my tetras hid in the plants a lot for the first couple of weeks, but now they really seem to have personality. They didn't used to swim up to the surface at feeding time, instead they would just grab any flakes that happened to sink near them. Now they all have a feeding frenzy out in the open at feeding time.

It was Lady Hobbs that suggested doing all 1 species in the tank. I'm glad I did because they seem so happy in a school of 12 and are always out in the open doing something.