Diamond tetra gone crazy..

[Impulse09]

My tank is a 29 gallon planted. My stock is 1 bristlenose pleco, 1 blue ram, 1 dwarf guorami, 5 peppered cory catfish, 12 cardinal tetras, 3 redwag platties and used to be 6 diamond tetras now I am down to 3.

The big male diamond is killing all of them im pretty sure he took out 3 so far I know the one he killed this morning was a smaller male. I tried to catch him to get rid of him but he was to fast. I just don't want him to injure my other fish. I don't want to increase the school because I want other stock than the diamond tetras. Help!!

 

[Samzter]

Have you thought about getting rid of him?

 

[1873teddy]

As strange as it sounds, I introduced a male & female swordtail to my tank & the guppies constantly harrassed them so had to re-home the guppies.

As hard as it may be, think getting rid of the tetra may be the best option.

 

[Samzter]

Yeah I have to agree. I hate getting rid of fish but if it's for the best then do it.

 

[Impulse09]

I tried to catch him but he is pretty fast. Any tips on his to catch him?

 

[1873teddy]

Patience really, from my experience trying to catch 6 guppies in a planted tank, it can be frustrating.

 

[shellieca]

I tried to catch him but he is pretty fast. Any tips on his to catch him?

I didn't have the same type fish but I have two that are EXTREMELY FAST & like to hide, now my tank was only a 10g but I had to take everything out (deco's & plants). I used two fish nets, one to block them from going a certain direction & to help guide them into the other. It still took me a good 10 - 15 minutes to get each one netted.

 

[Cichlid Kid]

Try it after lites out with a flashlight. Sometimes this trick works surprisingly easy and other times not so much.

 

[Maxkolbe]

Makes sense, easiest to catch them while their sleeping or still groggy.

 

[Cichlid Kid]

Yep. I've had success doing this at "night" with some fish that I've spent days trying to catch. The only thing is you've only got about a 5minute window before the fish gets accustomed to the light and fully awake.

 

[vanimal]

Just do a big water change! 50% or more. After you take out the water it will be easier to catch him. Also, I'm sure your other fish would like it too!

 

[Impulse09]

What should o do with him?

 

[severum mama]

See if your lfs will take him, and probably the others too-- that's just kind of how diamond tetras behave once they start to mature.

 

[Impulse09]

Didn't know that. I thought they were peaceful tetras.

 

[severum mama]

LOL. IME they are a lot like Colombians or Buenos Aires- big, fast, and somewhat pugnacious.

 

[FishFanatic88]

LOL. IME they are a lot like Colombians or Buenos Aires- big, fast, and somewhat pugnacious.

I had experience with Buenos Aires. I put a school in my tank and they nipped the heck out of every fish, especially my angel fish. I rehomed mine, although unfortunately they didnt get along with my oscar so well .... well unfortunately for them! Lets just say they had an average lifespan of 20 seconds after i rehomed them!

 

[vanimal]

Haha so the Oscar got a treat?

 

[FishFanatic88]

Haha so the Oscar got a treat?

he got five actually! lol

 

[vanimal]

About 5 years ago I had an Oscar and I got a Black Ghost Knife and he ate it. It was like a $16 snack : /

 

[FishFanatic88]

About 5 years ago I had an Oscar and I got a Black Ghost Knife and he ate it. It was like a $16 snack : /

Nice. i had gotten the tetras on sale at petsmart for a dollar a peice, not that bad of a loss but it is still more expensive than .13$ feeder fish!