Aggressive Neon Tetras... What's Next?

My Neon Tetras have become aggressive recently. What can I try next? Read on for background and stuff I've tried already...

Symptoms

* Fish chase each other aggressively.
* Not limited to one fish.
* Only started happening in the last week or so.

My Setup

* 6 Neon Tetras
* 10-11 Neocaridina
* Black substrate
* 3 pieces of mopani wood
* 2 coconut caves
* Internal filter (750lph)
* Temperature around 25C (fluctuates 0.5 to 1 degree)
* pH around 7
* Zero lights (Current ballast is broken, waiting on LED replacements)
* Zero plants (Waiting on lights)

What I've Tried So Far

* Water changes of 40% - 50%.
* Helps for a few hours up to 1-2 days.
* Then they're back at it.
* Cleaned the filter sponges in tank water.
* Also removed Purigen that was very full of tannins from my Mopani.
* Removed Ludwigia Rubin and the rockwool that it was in, in case the ferts was messing with water chemistry.

What I Haven't Tried Yet

* Gravel vacuum. I don't have one but maybe that'll help.
* Removing the wood. I'm wondering if it has some pest on it that's bugging the fish? I never boiled it.
* Removing the coconuts. NanoAquatics.co.za already cleaned and boiled them. They use and sell them all the time.

* Getting more neon tetras. Don't really want more. I'm hoping to have a variety of schooling fish in groups of 6.
* Treating the fish in a hospital tank. Wouldn't know what to treat for. There's no spots or anything. Just this aggro behaviour.
* And lots more I haven't tried coz it hasn't occurred to me.

I'm hoping that lights + LOTS of plants will help because of all the extra hidey-holes to help the fish feel safer and so that the plants can help me clean the water.

But if there's something I can do now, I'd love to do it!

What can I try next? Really wanna solve this before getting any more fish.

 

Yep they're the only fish for now. Over time, there will be 3-5 other species in there with them, along with a LOT of plants.

Are you saying specifically increase the numbers of Neons or just fish in general?

Thanks for replying!

 

Okie dokes, thanks!

Ignoring this advice any further (someone else suggested similar on my intro thread I think) would be stupid of me. Ego be damned.

I'll probably put up the Neons as freebies for anyone who can collect in Centurion and rather focus on bigger shoals of fish I like more than the Neons.

Thanks! I truly appreciate it.

 

What do you think of this stocking list? Any obvious "no go" combinations here?

http://aqadvisor.com/AqAdvisor.php?...AqSpeciesWindowSize=short&AqSearchMode=simple

There are also 10ish Neocaridina in the tank that I'd prefer to keep alive.

 

I don't mind losing some shrimp. Just wanting to avoid a complete wipe-out overnight

Right now, my Neons are fine with them and, in the past, my guppies and a single albino cory were okay with them.

I'm definitely going to avoid a Betta or the (gorgeous) apistos I'm keen on until the shrimp have a TON of foliage to hide in.

But ja, all that said, if the shrimp get eaten, they get eaten. I'm a little more worried about if the fish will eat each other.

Like the spotted blue eye gets to 3.8cm while the mosquito rasbora is way smaller. Supposedly both peaceful fish but am I asking for trouble by mixing them?

Thanks for your replies

 

Tell me about it! It's crazy.

But worth it

Yeah I only realised shrimps would be a problem AFTER I ordered some

I wanted Apistos but they're *definitely* a no-go with shrimp.

Maybe in the next tank?

 

Solved, I think!

I removed the wood and the coconuts and the aggression disappeared.

Added back the coconuts after a few days... still fine.

Added 10 Rosy Loaches... still fine.

Added different wood I bought from a guy who kept it in his tank without issues... still fine.

I'm going to soak, bleach, bake and prime my mopane wood and then try it in the next tank.

YAY for a happy ending

 

The best would be to drive to me and give me you're tetras,they will be happy between my shrimps and other tetras

 

Will happily swop my tetras for some nice shrimp