Danio Question

[lesmoogle]

I have recently got a hexagonal 2 gallon aquarium, a filter that cleans and oxygenates, and some water conditioner. I've added all of those to the tank and let the tank cycle for 5 days. The temp is at 74 degrees and pH at 7.4 and there are no obstructions besides gravel. Then I went and got a small Glo-Danio for it. The danio is about 8/10's of an inch long. Is that okay for a tank that is taller than wide? It swims around a lot and in bursts. I'm willing to buy a bigger tank in a diffrent shape if needed. Just a little concerned!

 

[data276]

you would want a larger tank for danio's as they are quick moving and like a larger amount of space, I believe the only thing that would fit in that tank would maybe be a betta and thats with multiple water changes throughout the week, you might want to invest in a larger tank a 10 gallon would be nice a 20gallon or 30 gallon would give you a wider range of fishes to choose from and they would be a bit more stable too.

I believe that danios also like to be a a small school of 5 or more(if somone who has more knowledge than me could clarify this) , so the 10 gallon would be a wise decison to get.

another option would be to try and return the fish for another one as I read that glow danios can be expensive was yours over $10?

 

[lesmoogle]

Yes it was 6.99, Would it be Ok in the tank by itself for 3 months then I would transfer it when I get a bigger tank or do they grow pretty fast? If a danio is to energetic for a small tank what other fish besides bettas (already have one in a 1.5 gallon tank) would be acceptable if any?

 

[tenohfive]

Danio's need to be kept in bigger groups, they're a schooling fish - and 2 gallons is way too small. With danio's the width of the tank is more important than anything because they move around alot - 2ft minimum it says on here, though personally I'd go for 3ft if you can:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=230245

Take the Danio back to your LFS (local fish shop.) For that size of tank I'd go with a betta, but your tank hasn't cycled yet.

Read this:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

For a beginner aquarium I'd look for a min 20g, ideally a 30g - the bigger the tank, the slower a change in the water chemistry will affect things. And don't buy any fish yet, wait until the tank is properly cycled - this can take 2 or more weeks following the fishless cycle method but it is the safest. Or if you know someone who keeps fish they could donate some of the media from their filter.


One more thing - DO NOT BUY ANY FISH UNTIL YOU'VE DONE SOME INDEPENDANT RESEARCH - i.e posting on here.

Apologies for the caps but alot of new fishkeepers are keen to get fish in their tank (understandably) and make the mistake of either impulse buying or listening to the advice of people who work in their LFS (which isn't always accurate.) Post on here, you'll generally have an answer within an hour or so. And check out the Species Index - should a) give you info and b) give you some inspiration for how to plan your tank, when you get one.

 

[lesmoogle]

I actually did not just go out and buy a fish and a tank and throw them together in the same day. I got my fish tank about a week and a half ago, cleaned it and the gravel out, assembled my two gallon jugs of water put a litlle bit of water conditioner in it, Put in the filter which also oxygenates and let it run by itself for about a week. In the meantime I looked up fish compatiable and some of the cycles, asked people on a couple of diffrent forums and I got these, Bettas, Guppies, danios, and Paradise fish. So I decided on the danio. They did say keep under two fish though and I only have a single one in there. I don't mean to sound rash but it's kind of frustrating being told it's ok then it's not because all I want is the fish to be healthy and thrive. Side note I do plan on getting a 10 to 15 gallon tank in about 2 months.

 

[tenohfive]

I actually did not just go out and buy a fish and a tank and throw them together in the same day. I got my fish tank about a week and a half ago, cleaned it and the gravel out, assembled my two gallon jugs of water put a litlle bit of water conditioner in it, Put in the filter which also oxygenates and let it run by itself for about a week. In the meantime I looked up fish compatiable and some of the cycles, asked people on a couple of diffrent forums and I got these, Bettas, Guppies, danios, and Paradise fish. So I decided on the danio. They did say keep under two fish though and I only have a single one in there. I don't mean to sound rash but it's kind of frustrating being told it's ok then it's not because all I want is the fish to be healthy and thrive. Side note I do plan on getting a 10 to 15 gallon tank in about 2 months.

Alot of people get given bad advice then end up here. Its not a problem - we've all been there before - and this is where people can tell you how to fix the problems you have. The only issues is occasionally people refuse to acknowledge they have a problem.

Like I say, Danio's need alot more room than that (and from Paradise Fish size, I reckon they would too - though I've never looked one up before.)
Your LFS won't have an issue with you taking it back, and financially there shouldn't be an issue with that - they cost about £2.00 last time I looked.

Read up on cycling though - theres an old view that if you leave the tank for a day or a week it'll cycle it - and its a myth. It doesn't matter if you leave it for a day or a week, it doesn't help cycle the tank. Theres 3 ways I'd recommend to cycle a tank, brief overview below.

1. Fishlessly. Add ammonia daily, bacteria builds up the breaks the ammonia down into nitrite. Another bacteria builds up that breaks nitrite into nitrate. Takes 2 or more weeks, and needs a decent quality liquid testing kit that tests ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Recommended.

2. Mature media donation - someone who has a mature tank can give you some of their media to move into your filter. This media already has the nitrifying bacteria in it, and fish can be added straight away.

3. Fish in cycle. Actually I wouldn't recommend this, its alot more work than either option above. Basically you put fish in there, they c**p out ammonia. You have to do water changes and daily tests and do a big water change whenever theres traces of ammonia etc. Labour intensive doing alot of water changes, but thats the only way to minimise the risk to any fish in the tank.

Anything you need clearing up, let me know - if I don't answer someone else will. Like I say, I'm happy to help as are others - try not to take offence if I criticise something you've done as its not a criticism of you, its me making clear the right and wrong ways to do something.

 

[lesmoogle]

Ok, well turns out I can exchange may smaller tank for a ten gallon one that is a pretty good price. I know I'm straying off topic but is it ok if I keep my current fish -glofish- in a 5 gallon clear plastic bucket of sorts. It has never touched any kind of chemicals or soaps etc. Just housed some papers. If I take all of the precautions I do with a regular tank? I've cleaned it out for about 30 minutes wth some warm to hot ater and set it up with another filter I had and a oxygenater, and used some of my water conditioner. It's at about 74 degrees. Back to the subject, When I do get the ten gallon you said to add ammonia, they have a item that just is just pure ammonia to add into your tank?

 

[tenohfive]

If you haven't already (I'm guessing from the question that you have) read the 'Fishless Cycling' thread in my sig.

And heres a link to ideal sources of ammonia in the US:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=38840

 

[OldMan47]

If you are going to keep your present fish, you will be doing a fish-in cycle and will not need to buy any ammonia. The fish will produce the ammonia. The ideal situation would be to cycle the filter before you got any fish but it seems that option is no longer an option. There is a link in my signature to fish-in cycling because the subject comes up so often. Your fish will be fine in the bucket while you swap tanks. You might want to read through the list of media donors too, another link in signature, to see if there is someone who could swap media with you to jump start your filter. That way your danio would only need to live with the cycling poisons for a short time rather than for over a month. No matter what approach you choose to use, the liquid reagent testing kit is a must have.

 

[lesmoogle]

Ok will he be fine around a week though ( the filter I am using in the bucket was in his previous tank for 2 weeks ) ? While I let the other tank cycle and test all sorts of levels.

 

[OldMan47]

If the filter has been in use for 2 weeks, it likely has started to develop a bacterial colony. In that case, you should continue to use the filter even in the new tank. It will get your danio into good water faster by 2 weeks. I don't understand what you intend to do with the other tank for a week. If you put in water of the right temperature and treat it with dechlorinator, it will be about as good as it will get until it has a filter running on it that has a properly developed bacterial colony. I think you would do better to move the danio with any water he has and his partially developed filter to the new tank. You will probably be doing frequent water changes anyway so circulating water in a sterile tank won't really help anything.

 

[tenohfive]

My advice would be to take the danio back (because ultimately its in a tank thats far too small for him) and do a fishless cycle. Will take longer but ultimately its probably a good thing as it gives you time to decide what to do with the tank - leaving a single danio in a tank thats far too small for him is not a bright idea imo.

 

[lesmoogle]

Ok I guess thats what I'll do, What other fish could I get for a 10 gallon? Besides tetras, danios, and pygmy corys. Thanks for all the help!

 

[tenohfive]

You could go for:

A male betta (most are gorgeous, and will come to the front of the tank when they see you)
Ember or neon tetra's - cute little fish, I love my embers
A few guppies - lively and colourful
Honey gourami - very colourful little fish
Platys/mollies - like guppies
German blue ram - probably the most colourful, interesting fish I own (<-----the one in my avatar)

Theres a few to have a look into.