Dward Neon Rainbows

[lifebegins]

I have two DNRs in a 45L H2Orb (like a biorb) and they keep hiding, not interacting with the 3 zebra danios and 3 rosy fin tetras at all. They don't like the light and they don't like my face!! Any ideas?

 

[dixaisy930]

Danios and your tetras are most likely too active and "hyper" for your rainbows. They could very well be harassing them as well, since you don't have actual schools of either fish. If you rehome the rainbows with proper tankmates, I bet you they wouldn't hide so much.

 

[lifebegins]

Danios and your tetras are most likely too active and "hyper" for your rainbows. They could very well be harassing them as well, since you don't have actual schools of either fish. If you rehome the rainbows with proper tankmates, I bet you they wouldn't hide so much.

Hi.

Thanks yes I'm sure you're right. I think I will take them back to the LFS and get something a bit more compatible. I hate to see them so stressed. I was thinking of two or three platies and guppies. Do you think these would be a bit more at home with my danios and tetras (which I love)?

Hoping to do it late morning today Sunday (I'm in England by the way and it's nearly 9 in the morning) - was your post in the small hours because you are addicted to TFF or you're on the other side of the world?!

Danios and your tetras are most likely too active and "hyper" for your rainbows. They could very well be harassing them as well, since you don't have actual schools of either fish. If you rehome the rainbows with proper tankmates, I bet you they wouldn't hide so much.

Hi.

Thanks yes I'm sure you're right. I think I will take them back to the LFS and get something a bit more compatible. I hate to see them so stressed. I was thinking of two or three platies and guppies. Do you think these would be a bit more at home with my danios and tetras (which I love)?

Hoping to do it late morning today Sunday (I'm in England by the way and it's nearly 9 in the morning) - was your post in the small hours because you are addicted to TFF or you're on the other side of the world?!

Oops, just seen your name and details - Colorado that explains it!

 

[dixaisy930]

Let's see...45L is a little over 11 gallons. 11 gallons are not suitable for danios, especially a Orb-like tank. It doesn't give them enough swimming room. Orbs, in general, are not considered suitable tanks for most things, sorry to say.

If you can't get another tank, I would say get rid of the danios and tetras and just keep the rainbows until you can get a different tank.

Sorry to bring the bad news....

 

[lifebegins]

Hi there,

Thanks for the not unexpected reply.

I am in rented accommodation at the moment and this is my first tank, and the 45L orb suits my current environment better than a proper tank. However, I have enough of the bug to want to do it properly when I get my own place again!

In the meantime, it is as cruel to keep my danios zipping about in the limited space as it is to see my beautiful Dwarf Neon Rainbows hiding. One of my friends has a bigger rectangular tank so I will ask if he would like my danios - it'll be hard as they are like my first born!!

The tetras seem quite content and the rainbows are getting a little more adventurous, so I will just keep an eye on them and monitor their stress levels.

I did buy two platys (red and black) yesterday and they also seem quite content for now. Once I give my danios away I will have reached official capacity, although I do frequent water changes so I could possibly get away with putting a couple of guppies in as well. I really just want the right mix of fish in there both for each other and the pleasure their antics and colours gives me.

So I will have in total 13.5 ins of adult fish for my approx 12 gallon tank.....

3 rosy fin tetras (2+ 2ins)
2 dwarf neon rainbows (2 + 2ins)
2 red wagtail platys (3 + 2.5 ins)
plus at some time in the future possibly 2 guppies (2.4 + 2.4)....

Many thanks for your advice, it's really very much appreciated.

 

[dixaisy930]

In this case, I think calculating the number of fish you can have by gallons of water is inappropriate. The main concern here is surface area, which the orb has hardly any-considering the amount of gallons involved. I wouldn't add the guppys-I believe this is really going to overstrain your system. Even with regular water changes, it's not going to work. I think the platys are even too much.

 

[brittlestar]

I agree, the rainbows will absolutely hate being in there with hyper fish. Those tetras and danios need to be in a shoal of six or more to feel comfortable.

See if you can return either the danios or tetras along with the rainbows ad just keep one type, e.g a shoal of tetras OR danios.

 

[lifebegins]

Thanks, yes, it's so important to get the right number and kind of fish without causing them stress. I want to be a good mommy really!

And I've seen a calculation somewhere on water surface area - that would be more appropriate.

Some deep contemplation ahead!

 

[vinylman]

I have to go along with everyone else and say that Danios are much too lively for the space you have. Just think of it like the nutter on the bus; when they get on, everyone else is praying they don't sit next to them, there's no escape.

 

[lifebegins]

Hi Vinylman

LOL!!! what a great description!

The danios are definitely going as soon as I catch up with the fishkeeping fella in the flat below.

The rest I'll monitor closely.

Interestingly the rainbows are getting braver, going to the top and middle and not hiding so much, but they still don't like the light.

Thanks again for everyone's comments. Really helps.