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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| 2.5 actually...stocking question
Hi-I am a beginner to this hobby. After some adventures with zebra danios that are chronicled elsewhere here, I think I am finally getting a hold of the hobby. I have my one zebra, who is a very active and somewhat aggressive little bugger, in a heated, filtered 2.5 gallon minibow. I'm worried that he's a little lonely, but I know he won't work with other zebras or cardinal tetras. I am wondering what a good "buddy" would be. I know I really can only put one more fish in there, so I am asking for advice...the LFS I am using (reluctantly) seems to give me bad advice a lot of the time about fish breeds. I don't think I want to put a cory in there b/c they seem to get lonely on their own. Any advice is very welcome! Thanks! | 
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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| a 2.5 minibow.... A betta!!!  but i dont think the danio would get along with him... echoing angela a shrimp colony would be nice  | |
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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Moderator
| IMO, he should be in a larger tank with more of his own kind. Danios need more swim room than a 2.5 allow.
Why won't he get a long with other danios? Has he ever had his own little school?
Guess I'm missing some background here.
I vote to move the betta to the 2.5 and mr danio to the 10 (I guess you've tried that?) | |
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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Sorry about that! Here's the background. Indeed, I'm not sure that this particular danio would do well with other danios and he bullied the tetras in my 10 gallon. The betta is having so much fun in the 10 gallon and plays with the other fish. It's so cute considering what a ratty looking fish he was when I got him in his little plastic cup. I know that the 2.5 gallon is not great for the danio but it was better to me than taking him to the fish store or euthanizing him. | |
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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| How many other danios were with him? If there weren't any others, that could be the cause of his being mean, since many fish, such as danios, tetras, tiger barbs, etc. can get very aggressive and nippy if they aren't kept with a school. | |
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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Fish Addict  How many other danios were with him? If there weren't any others, that could be the cause of his being mean, since many fish, such as danios, tetras, tiger barbs, etc. can get very aggressive and nippy if they aren't kept with a school. | The other danios had died...he was the only one left. He used to chase them around too when they were alive. I'm worried about putting him back in the 10 gallon even with more danios to make up a school....I hate to leave him alone though too. I am getting more tanks when I move (another 10 gallon for quarantine and inheriting a 75 gallon). Maybe I can put him in the 75 gallon with the other schools and a school of his own and he will be ok....or use the 2.5 for quarantine and make the 10 gallon a danio and shrimp aquarium. | |
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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| i've been through the exact same thing before. my zebra danio chased the other danios to the point where they all just got stressed and died. If he's just not getting along with the other fish, it may mean he needs more space. if you do move him to a larger tank, it would really help, if he's still not getting along then i would consider giving him away.
good luck | |
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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| I'm guessing you like your danio alot. Sadly if you aren't getting a bigger tank quick for him or her then the best thing you can do is give him or her to a respectable LFS. You can have a betta in the 2.5 gallon. It would be perfect for one. | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| The zebra danio is a schooling fish and all schooling fish need room to swim - I'd say 10 gallons at a minimum for smaller schooling fish. The past behavioral problems probably stem from lack of space. I'd advise getting 5 more danios and placing them in the 10 gallon (it'll be overstocked, but it's the best solution I can think of that doesn't involve getting a new tank or ditching some fish). Then move the betta over to your 2.5. The betta will be fine there. They are a solitary fish that don't mind being alone and don't need a lot of swimming space. | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Maybe some shrimp
Quote:
Originally Posted by Suzanne17 Hi-I am a beginner to this hobby. After some adventures with zebra danios that are chronicled elsewhere here, I think I am finally getting a hold of the hobby. I have my one zebra, who is a very active and somewhat aggressive little bugger, in a heated, filtered 2.5 gallon minibow. I'm worried that he's a little lonely, but I know he won't work with other zebras or cardinal tetras. I am wondering what a good "buddy" would be. I know I really can only put one more fish in there, so I am asking for advice...the LFS I am using (reluctantly) seems to give me bad advice a lot of the time about fish breeds. I don't think I want to put a cory in there b/c they seem to get lonely on their own. Any advice is very welcome! Thanks! | The only thing I would put in a tank that size is 3 or 4 shrimp and a plant. | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| I don't know if anyone mentioned, this if your danio is a bully in bigger tank, he'll probably be worse to a tank mate in too small of a tank. | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| I do like my danio. I like his spunk. But I don't want him to bully the other fish. I can get 5 more danios and put him back in the 10 gallon...I just don't want the tetras to be bullied like they were before, or the new and probably small danios to be bullied. The betta is all over the 10 gal so I would feel bad about moving him to the 2.5...but I want what's best for all of my fish. I just don't have room in this apartment for another 10 gallon...unless maybe it was a cube. I don't know. | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Unfortunatly you don't have room in th 10g for another school. The cardinals, cories and betta fully stock that tank. 
I'm sorry, I feel like I just keep giving you bad news. | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Thanks Lucy..it's helpful though. I know that another school would overstock the tank. What if I moved the Betta to the 2.5 gallon? I do 20% water changes every 2 weeks. | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| IMO, the 10g is fully stocked without the betta (sorry, should have said that in my last post)
If you don't have room for another tank, perhaps changing out the 10g for a 20g and trying the cardinals and danios and give the betta the 2.5.
An expensive proposition for one little danio but you can sometimes find some great deals on craig's list. | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucy IMO, the 10g is fully stocked without the betta (sorry, should have said that in my last post)
If you don't have room for another tank, perhaps changing out the 10g for a 20g and trying the cardinals and danios and give the betta the 2.5.
An expensive proposition for one little danio but you can sometimes find some great deals on craig's list. | Ahh...I get what you are saying now. Thanks for the advice! I'll think about it and check craigslist. | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Your welcome.
I know it's easy to get attached to these little guys even if they're giving us problems.
Good luck, I hope things work out. Please let us know.
Edit:
Take a look at this http://baltimore.craigslist.org/for/1236675346.html
Last edited by Lucy; June 24th, 2009 at 03:57 PM.
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucy | Ha, I had just sent an email to that person. That's a pretty good price, yeah? Now where the heck am I going to put it if I get it....and then I gotta think about stocking schemes...hmm.
(cardinals and corys in 20 gallon with adding 4 more corys; danios and maybe a bristlenose in the 10 gallon and betta in the 2.5? I haven't gotten infected with MTS or anything).
Edit- after cycling without fishies of course | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Lucy's idea is the best if it's doable for you. I was under the impression buying another aquarium was out of the question. But if you can get one, that's an easy solution then. You are saying you have space issues. So just get one 20 gallon, move everyone over when it's cycled, and get rid of all the other tanks (or keep the 2.5, as it takes up little space and a quarantine tank is good to have). Then you have one tank than can fit every fishy you have and it won't have that much bigger a footprint than your current 10gallon. | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Craig...really, you are right. I don't have the space for another aquarium. I have a lot of stuff to think about. I can't wait until I move.
Edit-ok, I've moved the betta to the 2.5 gallon and the danio back to the 10 gallon. So far, so good with the tetras but I might pick up one more danio who is close to this guy's size to help a bit. I know it isn't ideal but at least the danio is in more space and hopefully will leave the tetras alone. When I move I will upgrade for sure and leave the 10 gallon for quarantine. Thanks for all of your help...I will keep up on the maintenance and water parameters as I know I am a little overstocked in the 10.
Last edited by Suzanne17; June 24th, 2009 at 06:09 PM.
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| My husband has been telling me we don't have room since tank #2...amazing how you can shove furniture around and find the room for 3 more, soon to add another. lol | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucy My husband has been telling me we don't have room since tank #2...amazing how you can shove furniture around and find the room for 3 more, soon to add another. lol | lol me too, just got rid of my lamp next to my bed and put my new tank there haha | |
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