hi all

i got home this evening and my silvertip tetras are running amok

i'm 99% sure they are breeding,
the males are chasing down both the other males and the females
and then swimming side by side in pairs through my combomba
and are wiggling and intertwining

i am a total newb and not in a position to set up a hatching tank etc
and do not particulalry want to anyway at this early stage of my interest

can i just leave them to it and let mother nature prevail?
in other words just let them eat the eggs

i am just concerned about them hurting each other
as the males are charging at each other and i can see scales flying

how long will this behaviour last?
how often does this occur?

would it be an idea to add a bit of stress-coat
as i can definately see missing scales on some of them?

any other things i should know?

btw, my odd pristella does not know what to with itself!

thanks

4

Firstly congratulations. They are obviously happy in your tank.
It is fine to leave them as they are. As you already know they will eat the eggs. Although if the plants are dense enough some fry might survive.
The damage they do to each other during there frenzy will be very little and will heal quickly. But if it puts your mind at ease use the stress coat.

I don't know how long the breeding will go on for. It could be all over by tomorrow.

I wonder if it is actually breeding at all,these tetras can get playful on occasions,but they have also known to bully some of their own esp if there isnt a v large group of them. Id also check water parameters,unusual behaviour can often be a sign of things not right.
Im just be v cautious with these things,Im still new to it all also and hence take every precaution when I see these things! lol.
I hope they are breeding,would be a great sign that you are doing things right 4 . If they are ready to breed then it shows how good a job youve done of making the tank feel like home for them!
I wouldnt worry too much about the scales,its all part of the process I reckon.

Gavin