Danio Questions

SimonWoodstock

SimonWoodstock

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Sep 14, 2003
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I think I will be getting rid of these guppies I have now and would like to replace them with zebra danios. I have a few questions about them before I do it though.

First of all, I'll tell you my setup in case mixing these fish will cause them to be stressed out all the time. It's a 20g w/ a pleco, dwarf flame gourami and a banjo catfish. It is planted, not massively but there are about 6 or 7 plants (mostly blade-leaf type plants) that will reach the top of the tank eventually.

For the questions:

Will 6-8 zebras school nicely in it?

Will they breed as often as guppies? I wouldn't mind seeing fry grow up every now and then, but not as often as I see guppy fry.

Most importantly, Will they nip at my catfish's fins? Those guppies, especially the babies, will pick at any exposed fins on my cat while it tries to stay burrowed during the day. This is the main reason I want to get rid of them.

Also, just a thought, but how would giant danios work in there. I have never seen them at a pet store but I have seen pics of them. Too large to get enough to school?

*edited yet another typo from one of my posts*
 
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SimonWoodstock, with danios either zebra or giant they are very peaceful fish. I have six in my 20 gal, very quick swimmers so they need enough room to school. IMO they are really cool fish to have!!

From what I have read, aggressive behavior is witnessed when they are in smaller numbers (2-3). That being said, I do not think they will be a problem with the fish you mention.

Let us know how it works out.
 
I've kept all sorts of danios and never seen them nip fins or show aggression. Giant danios aren't an option for your size of tank.

As for schooling, I don't really think danios school. They are too fast moving and erratic to be considered schooling fish IMO. They usually chase each other around that's not really schooling. I see pregnant danios all the time in my tanks but never any babies but these are community tanks and I don't expect them to live.
 
hmmm, thanks for the input. i will let y'all know how it turns out. first thing if first, i have to find a LFS who has them in stock.

thanks
 
I have about half a dozen zebra danios in my 55 gal. Seems they spawn constantly, but their tankmates have gotten wise and follow behind gobbling up eggs as fast as the zebras scatter them! :mad: I'm sure, what they miss eating, I manage to vacuum up when I clean the gravel, dangit. Guess I'll never see zebra fry in my tank! :(
 
I have four Zebra Danios on my tank (and love them). Its like the fish equivalent of an ADHD class. They are nuts! The chase each other all over the tank and have a ball all day.

They are also pigs. They go after ever piece of food put in the tank. I don't think this will be a probelm with your tankmates though.

My females are constantly looking pregnant and then... not so pregnant. They are egg scatterers but they also will eat their own eggs. You may occasionally find fry in your tank but I doubt they'd last long. You can breed them from what I hear but it takes a little effort. Yashinfan has breed them I'm pretty sure and she might be the resident danio wiz.

I haven't kept gouramis so I'm not sure about this at all but I have heard that they can't be bothered by the danio's frantic behavior. They won't attack anything but they may stress him out. This might be total crap but its the one thing I would check out.
 
Hey Simon!
So the question is: what is your substrate?

If it's regular gravel then you will never see a fry! As for fin nipping, I would keep an eye on the gourami, but they would only do it when they are first introduced and it wouldn't last long. It's not usually anything but a nusance to other fish.
 
yash: Hey, I never got the pm to go through. Nothing important, just some general questions...some of which answered in this thread. I will try again later if something comes up.

I have regular gravel for a substrate. I will post a pic of it. I just planted some bulb plants in there that are not fully grown yet. The right side will eventually have a couple of tall plants behind that rock...hopefully. Sorry about the green water, the walls are painted a green color so it looks kinda green. Maybe one day I'll put a background or something behind it...although it does kinda give it a cool look in person.

You think zebras are the way to go? I'm not as concerned about nipping at the gourami as I am my catfish. A little nipping when I first put em in there would be ok...or a little every now and then just to let him know they are still there:D.

How many do you think I should put in there?

btw, what are you going to do w/ all those fry you have?

20gal.jpg
 
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