Danio Behaviour / Platty Due To Give Birth

[Angie_B]

I have three Danio's in my tank, they seem to spend their time chasing each other, almost like fin nipping or circling around eachother with their fins displayed. (Is there a way of telling the boys from the girls?)

Is this normal?


I also have two Platty's one boy one girl. She is pregnant. The boy follows her around, not hassling her too much, but usually with his fin clamped. Is he ok? She doesn't seem bothered by him and just ignores him.

Also, given my Danio's are quite hungry little fellas, is there a way of knowing when my Platty is likely to give birth, as I'd like to give them at least a fighting chance of survival.



Many thanks for your help

 

[huckFIN]

I'm still a newbie myself but I do know that you can sex Danios from the fact that the females are larger/fatter. I would also keep Danios in a school of at least six as they are a 'schooling' fish and the behaviour you describe is quite likely due to the fact that there aren't enough of them.
As for Plattys, I understand they will breed at the drop of a hat and it's best to either keep all males or, if you're going to mix them, more females than males. Just one female to one male (or less) will lead to the female being constantly hounded by the male(s).
I can't yet answer the third part of your question I'm afraid.

 

[Angie_B]

Hi there Thank you for answering.

I did have 6, but unfortunately lost them soon after I got them, the first one didn't take to being transferred from the shop, the second died soon after as was always skinny and the third soon after that of dropsy. The rest had an attack of Velvet, but I think (everything crossed) I have managed to beat that although their tails look like there is still some sign of gold (as the are leaopard Danios I have no idea if this is normal). Seeing them swim round each other with all their fins displayed is a treat though, they are such a lively and cheeky fish to watch and they are always first in the dinner queue

I plan on getting another three as the shop apologised to me and offered to replace them, but want to make sure everything is ok first. So I am going to give it another few weeks.

Good job I have my second tank up and cycling I guess .. seems with the Platty's I am going to need it.

Thanks once again for helping

 

[LauraFrog]

There's a pinned thread in this section on how to tell when your livebearers are going to drop... it's very good. 5teady's photos are really clear.

How big is your tank?

 

[Angie_B]

hello,

I've just been reading through that )

My tank I think is 127 litres from my rough calculations and I have a smaller tank which is about 2 1/2 foot long (but has only been cycling for two weeks).

 

[Robot_Rooster]

I have ten zebra danios in my tank (stripey) mine usually chase each other but only for a few seconds seems to be normal and none of them get hurt. to tell the danios apart the females are usually larger and stockier than the males, also i think the males have gold stripes between their blue stripes and the females usually have silver stripes between their blue stripes.

 

[Angie_B]

Hello

Ah, I did wonder if they were playing as it is sprodic and then they stop, then the fin display .. but was worried in case it was aggression.

Thanks for the tip, I think I may have two females and one male then as one is much smaller (they seemed to have grown quickly). They are leopard Danios so slightly different markings. I really love them as they are such characters when it comes to feeding etc.

Can I ask, are their gills a slight redish colour. I've just been to my local shop and their Danios have darkish gills, mine tend to be dark but then sometimes look a little red. They also seem to go dark once the light goes on, but this doesn't last too long.

Amazing how quickly you get attached to them

 

[Robot_Rooster]

the gills on mine sometimes change to a redish colour i dont know what it means but i reckon it is normal...maybe something to show off their gills?

 

[huckFIN]

Hi there Thank you for answering.

You're welcome.