Rummy nose bullies

Question
Hi Ron,

How are you? I have a 5 gallon tank with a male betta fish aand 4 rummy nose tetras. When I introduced the tetras 2 weeks ago, everything was fine at the start, although the betta would occasionally puff out at them and scare them away. 2 days ago, I noticed that the tetras started biting the betta. At first, it was only when he tried getting to the front of the tank (where the tetras ussually are), and I assumed that they may have laid eggs and were being protective. But now, they seem to nip at the betta, and he's so scared that he barely ever leaves the back of the tank. What should I do? And why are the tetras bylling the betta? I though rummy noses were meant to be docile?

Thank you for your help Ron, looking forward to hearing 4m u soon.

Kind regards,

Ali

Answer
Hi Ali,
  Tetras in general don't protect their eggs (with a very few exceptions) so that isn't likely the problem.  

  While fish are often labelled as "docile" or "non-aggressive" I really don't like that.  Any fish can be more or less docile or aggressive depending on the circumstances.  

  The problem with bettas is that they have those long flowing fins which many other fish find really desireable to peck at.  A 5 gallon tank is not a lot of space and they just keep running into each other. You might strongly consider putting the betta in a different tank.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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