Tetra problem.

[kthxbi]

I've only got one Tetra. It's a dyed-blue Tetra. I have tried getting other Tetras, but they pick on this one, bite it, and usually die soon. What should I do?

[Buggy]

I had a similar problem. I have three black skirt tetras and my husband bought me two painted glass tetras to go with it..one green and one pink. He didn't know about the dying process and how bad it was for the fish. Anyway, the three black skirts used to hang out together but since I put the painted ones in the tank they have all separated and staked out individual territories...each black has a painted between them...and if one crosses the others area they get nipped or chased. I think the natural fish somehow see the dyed ones as being different and "wrong" so they try to get rid of it or at least avoid it, kind of like a pack of dogs will pick on one that is deformed, sick, injured or a runt. It's not natural therefor it is to be eliminated. My best advice is take the dyed fish back to the lfs and get some natural colored ones...about 6 as they are schooling fish. If you like the bright colors try neons, cardinals or diamonds, they all look beautiful in schools. You didn't say how big your tank is so I can't advise how many to get. Post more about your tank and we can go from there.

[Sable]

Buggy gave you fantastic advice; the only thing I can add is not to get these fish again, even if you decide to get all dyed fish so that a certain individual is not picked-on. Dyed fish are more susceptible to several diseases than naturally colored fish, they are more easily stressed, and they almost always live much shorter lives than natural fish.

Basically, the needles that are used to inject dye into these fish are in terms of size, the equivilant of needles as wide as pencils being used on humans. This obviously leaves the fish susceptible to infection and easily stressed. Additionally, the dye itself contains carcinogens (fish can get cancer too).