Here's a good lesson learned (the hard way), for people trying to introduce small fish such as neons into a tank; even if there aren't large fish there that can eat them.
Firstly, the lesson learned occurred a few days back, upon acclimatising some neons and cardinals for my tank; then netting them from the bag. Immediate carnage ensued, because my fish naturally assumed they were being fed. Tiger barbs relentlessly chased neons nipping at them, bottom dwellers dashed around quickly; while my Blood Parrot darted at them doing her best to swallow them.
An hour later, and all was calm; with the other fish not even giving a second glance. A simple mistake to make, but one that could easily have been avoided.
What I'll certainly be doing going forward with smaller fish, is making sure to 'reset' the tank, the best way being moving an ornament in order to confuse the existing fish and (dare I say it?) scare them a little into submission. By doing so, I could have avoided the initial onslaught entirely; which caused undue stress to newcomers and unmitigated attack. This is also a tactic in introducing aggressive fish such as cichlids, as territories are reset.
Or, if anyone has a better method; feel free to share it.
Firstly, the lesson learned occurred a few days back, upon acclimatising some neons and cardinals for my tank; then netting them from the bag. Immediate carnage ensued, because my fish naturally assumed they were being fed. Tiger barbs relentlessly chased neons nipping at them, bottom dwellers dashed around quickly; while my Blood Parrot darted at them doing her best to swallow them.
An hour later, and all was calm; with the other fish not even giving a second glance. A simple mistake to make, but one that could easily have been avoided.
What I'll certainly be doing going forward with smaller fish, is making sure to 'reset' the tank, the best way being moving an ornament in order to confuse the existing fish and (dare I say it?) scare them a little into submission. By doing so, I could have avoided the initial onslaught entirely; which caused undue stress to newcomers and unmitigated attack. This is also a tactic in introducing aggressive fish such as cichlids, as territories are reset.
Or, if anyone has a better method; feel free to share it.
