valen

Hi, I am trying to understand what is going on and I have a theory but I hope I'm wrong.

I have a ten gallon tank. I was told that Zebra Danios and Platy's are both "community" fish and they would get along. I have one Zebra Danio (had more but lost them). I added two male platy's that are bigger than the Danio and they were fine for a day but now the Danio is chasing and "ramming" the platy's most of the time. He may be nipping their fins too but I'm not sure. The poor platy's a looking for places to hid but they can't hide for long.

The Danio is circling around like a shark and takes a run at one platy in particular all the time. He seems to go more crazy when the light is on and seems to calm down a little with it off.

Is it because I only have one Zebra Danio and they need to be in a school of 6 or more ? I don't have tank space for 5 more Zebra's because I want to keep other types in there as well.

Is getting more Platy or one more Zebra Danio going to help ?

guppiemaster892

It depends on how many danios you have. If you dont have 3 or more danios then that is the problem. Danios pick on each other, not like hurting each other but they will school and chase each other. If there is 2 or less danios, then they will turn on other fish. That probably is what the problem is.

COBettaCouple

Platys need 3 or more usually and Danios should be kept in groups of at least 6. You'll probably need to find a new home for 1 species or the other, especially if you have other fish in there. The general guideline for small fish is 1 gallon per adult inch, so at most there should be 10" (adult size) of fish in that tank.

valen

I really can't keep 6 danios so I guess I have to try to find a home for him. I guess the Platys would eventually get sick from all the stress ? Any suggestions on what to do in the short term ? Would getting more Platy's help ?

COBettaCouple

The stress would make them much more open for disease and eventually the Danios would probably nip their fins off. Short term - a tank divider to seperate the 2 species. More platys won't really help with the danios but 3 or more would make for happier platys and a better pecking order.

miker

Or cheaper option - get a breeding net for the Danio

Philpig

Hey, I had the same problem in a tank with 4 zebra danios and 2 platys. I just found that one of the danios would not give up on all of the other fish - his own and the other species. In the end I just gave the danios to another fishkeepr with a nice tank, because it was obviously stressing the other fish. Maybe they like to show off or maybe they are just really nasty personalities! therefore, I wouldn't believe what everyone seems to say about Danios being a good starter fish and good for a community tank!

Blub

valen

I have had the Danio since Jan 1 08 so I doubt the store would take it back and if they did they surely wouldn't resell it (if you now what I mean).

How would the Danio do in a bowl ? (i.e. like a goldfish with no filtration or heater ?) They seem to tolerate room temps but I am not sure about filtration/aeration. I also have a 5 gallon tank that is not in use at the moment but I don't want to buy another filter/heater.

Blub

darkwolf29a

I wouldn't recommend a bowl for them. Honestly, the only fish that does ok in one of those bowls is a betta. And only if it's a 1 gallon minimum.

ER9

i had a similar problem. i think danios in general are peacefull community fish but i soon discovered they each have their own personalities. some (most) seem docile and playfull but i had one that was extremelly aggesive and upset the entire tank of fish chasing and biting the other fish. i gave him back to the aquarium shop and as soon as he was gone the entire community settled down. i have a single zebra now and he gets along great with everyone in the tank. i think its just you got an overly aggresive fish.

Blub

valen

I have 2 Platy's and 1 Danio (the terrorist :-) ). The Platy that was constantly being harassed is now just hanging around at the bottom and almost giving up trying to get away. That was enough for me. This morning I took out the Danio and he's going back to the LFS.

So now that the decision has been made, I have 2 male Platy's (orange/red) in a 10 gallon tank. I would like to add some interesting additions. What would be good friendly tankmates for the 2 male platy's ? Something that is colorful yet medium/easy to take care of since I am am still somewhat of a newbie. Also something that can go in two's or three's (not something that needs 6 or more ).

Thanks.

Blub

angelfish220

Male endlers are even prettyer than guppies, but are harder to find.

Blub

angelfish220

Then you get some of those gup/endler crosses that have awesome finage and bright neon colors.