Thinking About Restocking...

[jiffy]

I've got a 10 gallon tank with 2 skunk cories, 6 cardinal tetras, and 4 Longfin zebra dainos. I am interested in trying some new fish, but on the other hand I don't want to part with the ones I have because, well, they're mine.

The skunk cories hide much of the daytime so I don't see too much of them. I love the look of the cardinals but they hang out in the back of the tank a lot, behind some plants, so they aren't all that active. The dainos are on crack, they fly around that tank and play in the current all day long. Fun to watch but not the neatest looking fish.

I don't know if the dainos were gone, whether the cardinals would swim around more freely or if thats just the way they are. If they would become more active I would think about getting rid of the dainos. On the other hand, I do love the personality the dainos have, very playful. That makes me think I should trade the cardinals for some other active fish, similar to the dainos spirit but more colorful.

I would appreciate any thoughts as to who should stay and who should go as well as who should be the replacements. Something active and colorful.

 

[pricey]

I've got a 10 gallon tank with 2 skunk cories, 6 cardinal tetras, and 4 Longfin zebra dainos. I am interested in trying some new fish, but on the other hand I don't want to part with the ones I have because, well, they're mine.

The skunk cories hide much of the daytime so I don't see too much of them. I love the look of the cardinals but they hang out in the back of the tank a lot, behind some plants, so they aren't all that active. The dainos are on crack, they fly around that tank and play in the current all day long. Fun to watch but not the neatest looking fish.

I don't know if the dainos were gone, whether the cardinals would swim around more freely or if thats just the way they are. If they would become more active I would think about getting rid of the dainos. On the other hand, I do love the personality the dainos have, very playful. That makes me think I should trade the cardinals for some other active fish, similar to the dainos spirit but more colorful.

I would appreciate any thoughts as to who should stay and who should go as well as who should be the replacements. Something active and colorful.

You could try and take the danios out for a day or two and see how the cardinals acted,only problem is where do you put the danios for the period that they would be absent!?

Cardianals are the better looking fish by far[ in my opinion] but ive never kept thembefore soi dont know how they should act, ifthere anything likeneons then they should be quite active andin that case u shud consider replacing the danios.

But the best solution to all of this is.........Get a bigger tank, get a cheap second hand one then you dont have to replace anyfish at all and youll be able to add some new fish!!!!

Hope ive helped

Pricey

 

[cujoho78]

But the best solution to all of this is.........Get a bigger tank,

I agree! Replace the 10 gallon with a larger tank if possible. I had some fish that when in a 10 gallon aquarium rarely came out of hiding. They've all since been moved into a 55 gallon and there's been such a big change. Fish that were always hiding are now swimming all over the place. Sometimes they just need some more room!
Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[cg360]

i think the danios probably need more room anyway, as they are very active, fast fish, so if you were to return some to the shop, it sohuld be these, really.

 

[ArielC]

I used to be in the same exact situation. I got rid of my danios and gave them to a friend, and the next day my cardinals were swimming all over the place. I think the cardinals were just a bit freaked out by the fast moving danios and were inclined to hide. :]

 

[lozzles]

your cories would come out more with more cories in the tank however might make you over stocked

 

[jiffy]

I do have a spare 10g tank with my old gravel in it that I could use temporarily. I have an old heater that may still work and could use an air stone to keep the surface moving. I wouldn't be able to filter it though....

I would like a bigger tank, but I don't really have room or money for it right now. Also, I am graduating from college so hopefully next year I'll have a good job and a new place where I'll have more room. I know I want a big tank, not sure how big but big. I figure why spend the $$ now on a smaller tank if a bigger one is what I want.

Anyways, should I set up the spare tank for now?

 

[Durbkat]

But the best solution to all of this is.........Get a bigger tank,

I agree! Replace the 10 gallon with a larger tank if possible. I had some fish that when in a 10 gallon aquarium rarely came out of hiding. They've all since been moved into a 55 gallon and there's been such a big change. Fish that were always hiding are now swimming all over the place. Sometimes they just need some more room!
Good luck with whatever you decide.

I noticed this with my black tetras while the 3 regular black tetras I have they hid in the back of the tank all the time but after I put them in the long 20g with alot more tetras they came out more but they still hide alot and I'm going to see once I put them in my 55g if they swim around more.

 

[sylvia]

If you can't filter the other tank, check out the DIY section of the forums. there's quite a few threads on making a do-it-yourself sponge filter.

Once you've done that, seperate your fish into two groups - the danios and cories in the new tank (add some gravel from your current tank at the same time and move the fish over a few at a time, week by week) and the cardinals in the current one.

Your tank, as it is, is very over-stocked. When you've seperated the fish, both tanks will be stocked fully but not over-stocked. Don't add anything until you have a larger tank and/or have moved fish out. Just so you are aware of this, none of your fish are realy suited to this size tank - the zebra danios are far too active and need to be in a slightly larger group, the cories grow largest and are also very active and should also be in a larger group and the cardinals get to 1.5" so, considering the size group they need to be in, swimming space is very limmited in a 10 gallon (though these are the best suited to this size tank of the 3 species you own).

And, for the record, I think zebra danios are way more attractive than cardinals plus they are more active, better schoolers and have a lot more character - not to mention they are a lot hardier, come in more varieties, and are simpler to breed.

 

[jiffy]

I'll make sure to check out the DIY sponge filter.

The spare tank can only be used temporarily, as in, I have no room for it so it is going to have to go on my floor. I was figuring I could use it for a couple days until I see how the cardinals react to the dainos being gone.