davedude77

I hope someone has an idea of what's going on, I'm worried about this little Danio. I've got 5 Leopard Danios in a cycling (3rd week) 32G planted tank, and 2 Siamese Flying Foxes. Since the day I got the Danios, one of the them has been shunned by the other four. The one Danio hangs out in the leaves of the Polysperma and sits very still all day until feeding time when he comes out, eats, gets chased around, and finally loses the others and hides again in the leaves at the top of the tank again. One day, I took him (I think it's a him) out of the tank and put him into another. Well, he didn't like that. He swam around for hours kind of looking unhappy (IMO). Well, I re-introduced him to the tank and the other 4 Danios quickly started hounding him again. Chasing him all over the tank until he finally lost them and hid in the leaves. My wife suggests that it's because I have an odd number of Danios, because I've read once that Danios pick pairs. Could this be the reason? I'm worried about this little guy because his fins are getting torn to pieces. I hope someone can help.

Shawnie

when I have fish that are nawty and dont get along, I take out the bad kids and rearrange the tank and after an hour or so, the bad kids go back in...then they seem to calm down...of course cycleing with fish make them do all kinds of weird things until the cycle is complete...goodluck!

davedude77

Thanks for the tip Shawnie. What do you mean by rearranging the tank though? Moving the placement of the plants? Hmm, that would be difficult as I don't see another way of setting it up. I'll have to think about how to rearrange them for a bit first before I engage in that task.

I just got back from the LFS and I was talking to someone there who said that the fish is probably dieing and that's why it's being shunned. I guess that's possible, what do you all think? I've looked at my fish as closely as I can but I don't notice any disease. Mind you it's hard on such a small fish. Also, do you all think I should remove this guy from the community tank all together?

I really appreciate any advice you all can give me. Thanks a bunch folks.

gremlin

A lot of times when you have a community of fish, they will pick one to be the "nerdy kid" that every one will pick on. taking that fish out will take care of the problem until they pick another "nerdy kid". Taking out the bully fish for a bit then putting them back as the "new kids in the tank" Is usually a better solution. Moving the plants or decor around a bit makes the bully fish feel even more that they are in a new tank and they will be less likely to continue to pick on the "nerdy kid" fish that is now the one with seniority in the tank.