While neon tetra’s are a peaceful fish, they have been known to occasionally nip their tankmate’s fins. This is usually caused by an issue with the tank that’s causing them stress.
Even though these tetras are known for their peaceful temperament, they can resort to fin nipping as an act of self-defense.
This is particularly true when they’re left alone in a tank with other fish species that may be aggressive. Luckily, there are ways to prevent this fin nipping habit in your neon tetras which mostly involves avoiding an overcrowded tank.
Stick around to learn more about why neon tetras are fin nippers and how you can keep this notorious habit in check.
Why Are Neon Tetras Fin Nippers?
Neon tetras are fin nippers. The freshwater fish species exhibit this aggressive behavior due to several reasons.
Territorial Behavior
Despite their delicate demeanor, neon tetras can turn aggressive when threatened. This could be when they’re feeding or mating.
In terms of both, any interruptions could occasionally lead to fights and fin nipping.
Food Shortage
In this case, the neon tetra may have mistaken their fellow tankmates’ fins for food. Nevertheless, a food shortage will likely agitate the little tropical fish and cause them to release their frustration in the form of fin nipping.
Stress
Alternatively, your neon tetras may be stressed due to being overcrowded. With such little swimming space, they’ll resort to fin nipping surrounding fish, especially those with long fins.
Your tetras might also experience stress from living with a small crowd. That being so, you need to have at least six neon tetras together to avoid loneliness and stress.
Signs of stress are usually apparent in neon tetras’ tank movements and appearance. For instance, you may notice them jerking around, trying to constantly hide, or losing their vibrant red and blue coloration.
Lack of Water Maintenance
If the fish tank’s water quality is deteriorating, this could negatively affect your neon tetra’s behavior. It could lead to an uncomfortable environment with lots of fin nipping.
Apart from that, the water temperature shouldn’t be too big of an issue for neon tetras. As hardy fish, they’re versatile and can handle temperatures between 70 to 81 degrees F.
Unfriendly Tankmates
If your neon tetras are housed with aggressive tankmates, then they may display more fin nipping behavior. Their tankmates’ aggression can rub off on your peaceful neon tetras.
Eventually, if the other aggressive fish bully the tetras, the latter will likely become stressed and try to defend itself.
Other Reasons
Neon tetra may also be fin nipping due to boredom or it could be a hereditary trait. Interestingly, the red-blue streaked fish could be fin nipping to introduce themselves in the tank.
This is especially true if the neon tetra is newly added to a tank. Consequently, fin nipping behavior isn’t always rooted in aggression, but can sometimes be playful.
Do All Neon Tetras Fin Nip?
The good news is that not all neon tetras are fin nippers. Nevertheless, when presented with the opportunity to fin nip, this species is more likely to nibble at other fish.
For instance, if the tank’s water isn’t clean or regulated, this could affect the neon tetras’ fin nipping behavior for the worst.
Other Fin Nipping Tetra Species
Neon tetras aren’t the only fin nippers. Other tetras fin nippers include:
- Black Skirt Tetras
- White Skirt Tetras
- Serpae Tetras
- Emperor Tetras
- Diamond Tetras
- Flame Tetras
- Rosy Tetras
Non-Fin Nipping Tetra Species
If you’re looking to avoid fin nipping altogether, then you can opt for these tetras instead.
- Glowlight Tetra
- Rummy Nose Tetra
- Lemon Tetra
- Congo Tetra
How to Avoid Fin Nipping for Neon Tetras
Fortunately, there are some ways you can keep your neon tetras from biting off on other tankmates.
Avoid Overcrowding the Tank
The first step you want to take to prevent fin nipping is to make sure your tank is ideally accommodating to its fish residents. For example, you don’t want to keep more than 30 neon tetras in a 20-gallon tank.
If you have too many neon tetras in one tank, you can purchase a similarly sized tank to split the school. Alternatively, you can perhaps purchase one larger tank for all the neon tetras.
Regularly Maintain Tank Water Quality
Since the water tank’s environment is a stress factor for neon tetras, keeping it clean will likely keep fin nipping to a minimum.
That being said, you can maintain ideal water quality with weekly filtrations and cleaning sessions.
Avoid Certain Tankmates
Neighboring fish are likely causing your neon tetras to act out. For this purpose, you’ll want to avoid aggressive tankmates like bettas, cichlids, and tiger barbs.
These fish are considerably territorial and can threaten neon tetras. As a result, they’ll resort to fin nipping out of self-defense and stress.
Aggressive tankmates aren’t the only neighbors you’ll want to steer clear from as well. Slow-moving fish provide your torpedo-shaped neon tetras with an easy target.
Other easy targets are fish with relatively long fins. Those flowy fins are likely going to entice neon tetras for a quick nibble.
Other Tips
To prevent further fin nipping you can make sure the neon tetras are well-fed, so they don’t go looking for fin food.
In addition to this, try to create more hiding spaces for other fish so they can protect themselves from the fin nipping tetras.
Effects of Fin Nipping
If your neon tetras are constantly fin-nipping on its neighbors, the latter will likely feel uncomfortable. This lack of comfort could lead to stress and, eventually, death, in severe cases.
To treat affected fish, you can apply an anti-bacterial remedy. It’ll help avoid any infections as well.
To Conclude
Are neon tetras fin nippers? Simply put, yes, your neon tetras are notorious fin nippers. The tetra species has its reasons.
Some of those include a lack of proper water maintenance, aggressive tankmates, as well as stressful environments. With that in mind, you can adjust these factors to prevent fin nipping.
For example, you can purchase a larger tank, avoid grouping neon tetras with aggressive fish species, and periodically clean the tank.