Danios In New Tank

[katatak]

About a month ago I got a 10 gallon fish tank. After the set-up ran for about 36 hours, I did a fishless cycle for 2 weeks, then I got four zebra danios and an apple snail. The fish and snail are quite happy, and seem to enjoy their new surroundings (its a planted tank with some fun hiding spots- not too crowded though). I know that danios prefer to school in groups of six or more, but I didn't want to shock the tank with that many new fish. So, my question is really quite simple. Will different species of danios school together? I was thinking of adding 2-4 pearl danios (preferably 2, so I can add some corys or platys later), but I wanted to make sure that all the fish will be happy. I wouldn't want any of the fish to feel threatened or outnumbered. Also, would a ten gallon tank be able to handle 6 danios and 3 cory catfish? Thanks! (Btw, I'm not planning on adding any fish for another 2-3 weeks)

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Katatak. After a month total and only 2 weeks of fish-in cycling I would not add any fish right now. What are the present readings of ammonia and nitrites in your tank water? Are you still doing huge daily water changes to control the build up of these poisons? Once you hav a minimal stocking of fish-in cycling fish and things have stabilized, you can often add just a very small percentage to the biological load in the tank. In a 10 gallon, I would stock no more than 2 more fish the size of pearl danios and the tank would be fully stocked. You cannot add the platies or cories later because there is no room in a tank that small for more fish.

 

[katatak]

Welcome to the forum Katatak. After a month total and only 2 weeks of fish-in cycling I would not add any fish right now. What are the present readings of ammonia and nitrites in your tank water? Are you still doing huge daily water changes to control the build up of these poisons? Once you hav a minimal stocking of fish-in cycling fish and things have stabilized, you can often add just a very small percentage to the biological load in the tank. In a 10 gallon, I would stock no more than 2 more fish the size of pearl danios and the tank would be fully stocked. You cannot add the platies or cories later because there is no room in a tank that small for more fish.

I'm definitely not planning on adding any more fish for at least 2-3 more weeks. The tank readings are all at zero, and the fish are showing no signs of stress. The real question, though, is will different species of danio school together? In other words, can I get pearl danios (when I have 4 zebra), or should I just stick with zebra danios?

 

[OldMan47]

They are not just a different color, they are a completely different species. Although people see enough similarity in them to call them by the same generic name, the fish probably realize right away that they are not the same. Even zebras don't school much but they do chase each other through the tank quite often. It is a breeding dance, not schooling.

 

[katatak]

They are not just a different color, they are a completely different species. Although people see enough similarity in them to call them by the same generic name, the fish probably realize right away that they are not the same. Even zebras don't school much but they do chase each other through the tank quite often. It is a breeding dance, not schooling.

I know that they are a different species (see my initial post). The first time the word "color" was used is in your own post. My question still exists though. Will two different species of danio be happy together? Are you saying that the danio albolineatus will feel uncomfortable being outnumbered by danio rerio?

 

[OldMan47]

Nope, they just won't likely hang out together.

 

[katatak]

Nope, they just won't likely hang out together.

OK, thanks for the help!

 

[BlueGuppy]

I had 3 zebras, 4 longfin blues, 2 pearls, and another 2 longfins (forgot name) all together in a 40 gallon and they kinda hung together. The only ones I wouldn't put together with them is the giant danio...

 

[Tropical_Fish]

Is a 10 gallon tank even big enough for Danios? I was under the impression my 20 gallon tank was too small due to them needing lots of swimming space?

 

[waterdrop]

Is a 10 gallon tank even big enough for Danios? I was under the impression my 20 gallon tank was too small due to them needing lots of swimming space?

Yes, that debate is there, but to me personally it seems a bit extreme to think a 20 couldn't hold a decent little grouping of zebras. Its true though that the problem gets a little worse with a ten as a decent minimum number begins to use up a lot of your recommended stocking limit.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[arobinson1984]

In my opinion, a 20 gal would be pretty much bare minimum to put danios into. They are extremely active and do require plenty of swimming space. I have 4 zebra danios in my 33 gal tank and they never stay still.

Andy

 

[waterdrop]

In my opinion, a 20 gal would be pretty much bare minimum to put danios into. They are extremely active and do require plenty of swimming space. I have 4 zebra danios in my 33 gal tank and they never stay still.

Andy

Yeah, I'm probably guilty of bias when it comes to danios (and angelfish for that matter) as I just hate to see them put out of the reach of beginners with somewhat smaller tanks. (putting 20 usg at the borderline for danios and 30 usg at the borderline for angels)... I readily admit that danios will get happier as the space gets bigger and its a joy to see them be able to open up their racing speed.. but I've just never been able to decide whether I think they are really begin "hurt or stunted" if confined to, say 4 in a 20g or even a 10g. I don't know, do we have any objective standards? I mean, I agree that a goldfish in less than 30g is pretty awful, but I just have a blindspot about danios, am I just plain wrong? And angels.. I know 17" of height and 30g volume minimum should probably be a hard and fast rule, but the taller 28, 29g tanks that are pretty common seem a possibility for a pair in my opinion. Sigh, probably I'm wrong and should get over it, but that seems to be where I'm at.

~~waterdrop~~