hi new to this

[Lxj]

Hi,

This was meant to be for my daughter but it has now turned into my fish tank.

We have a 40 l tank with 1 betta fish and 5 penguin tetras and 3 otocinclus . Have we overstocked the tank?

Many thanks

[fireblade]

Hi ,

it should be fine.. do note that penguin tetra might nib on your betta's tail if it is those long fin ones.

[Lxj]

My betta fish doesn't seem to be happy. He looks ok but spending a lot of time at the bottom of the tank now and not interested in food which is soooo unlike him.

New tetras have been in for a week now. I haven't seen them nip at him but he's not his usual self??

Please help

[Lxj]

Past two days he's not been right. Tested water for ammonia nitrite and nitrate all clear .

Tank been running 4 weeks and still not showing any nitrate coming through, I do water changes as soon as ammonia rises, been testing 3ater everyday.

Am I changing the water too often, change out 10 -20 l depending on how much ammonia . Not getting any nitrate showing in tests. I use prime and add good bacteria.

What am I doing wrong??

[Urban Aquaria]

Penguin tetras can grow up to 7-8cm so a larger tank would be better for them to swim around, though the current tank volume should still be okay.

If your betta's behavior changed after the tetras were added, then most probably the tetras became the dominant group in the tank and out-compete it for food and space, so the betta has to "give way" to them, hence the shy reclusive behavior. This sort of thing happens in community tanks and it depends on the fishes personalities too, so its a matter of trail and error when mixing different types of fishes together.

[Lxj]

Thank you soo much , I think your right the penguin tetras have become the dominant fish in the tank , may need to see if the shop will take them back. And maybe get some neons. Thank you

[Lxj]

Just lost a penguin tetra :-(

[fireblade]

Is the betta fins clamp? if they are clamp then maybe he is sick, if not then maybe you can try to put a mirror near him and see if he flare, if he got excited again, then he should be ok and can try to put the mirror for him to exercise every day for a while...