Questions Two Tanks

J

jessijessi

AC Members
Jul 10, 2005
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So I have a bunch of questions and I really appreciate any responses you guys could find time to share. I've asked a bunch of fish people and researched online, but I've been getting really conflicted answers. Thanks so so so so so much!!!

1. I have a 10 gal with mostly plastic/cloth plants and a couple of java ferns. I have one Betta, three ADFs, 4 Zebra Danios, 1 Oto. I've heard differing stories about Danios. I've heard that they like to school in 8+ groups and they are relatively less messy. Is there room in my tank for four more zebras?

2. I just put 3 dwarf/malabar/pea/bb puffers and 3 otos in my 12 gal tank. This tank is planted with Java Fern and an underwater grass that has japonais (I think) in the scientific name. I want to give my puffers some snacks to eat, what are the best types of snails for them? I'm concerned about parasites that snails may carry. How about shrimps for them to eat? How concerned should I be about parasites from snails/shrimps? Should I just breed them myself?

3. I have one puffer that likes to cruise around in the current my filter creates. He swims up really fast and just drifts with the current and goes up and around and does it again. I'm worried that he's bored or the water quality isn't good. But my tests show that everything seems pretty kosher and the other two, who are bigger than him, don't swim up and down or play in the current. Is he just playing or is he bothered by something?

4. The temperature at my house, and thus my water, is about 75 usually (Gotta love San Diego weather). Do I need a heater for my puffers?

5. Java moss is hard to find and I'm worried that I won't be able to control it. Will it hurt my ADFs?

6. Are my Danios and Betta ok together? They seem fine, but I don't want my Betta to freak out. He doesn't seem to be too bothered by them, sometimes he chases them a little, but usually he's just chilling the way he always has.


Gosh I have so many more questions, but I'll save them for another day.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ALL YOU HELP, GUYS!
 
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2. while inverts like shrimp and snails may carry some parasites, they usually aren't harmful to fish b.c they are specific to that kind of animal. common, ramshorn, and mystery snails are good (very very small ones) but it seems like trumpet snails have very tough shells that such small puffers can't break.
3. as long as your water quality is good (you do have tests for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, right?) your puffer is probably just being playful. there are many kinds of fish who enjoy water currents, but at the same time fish can individuals. not all of them will act the same way.
5. the java moss won't hurt your frogs, and they will probably enjoy hiding in it or sitting on it. since it is hard to find, maybe you can pull some out when it starts taking over your tank and sell it. i know that i would snatch some up if a local aquarist were selling it because none of my LFS's ever have any.
6. as long as your betta isn't constantly chasing the danios, and the danios aren't chasing him or nipping at his fins, they're fine together.
 
Can't answer most of your questions, sorry, but I've been keeping a few Danios a tank with my beta for months and they get along fine. No fighting between the Beta and Danios ... but the Danios do chase each other around a bit, tho. Overall it's a very peaceful tank.
 
OK here's my 2cents FWIW
1) I'd say one more danio max. in an unplanted tank I Think that might be pushing it. I am not great at estimating these things. Keep an eye on the water parameters, especially checking how fast the nitrates buld up between weekly partial water changes. that will give you an idea of how 'crowded the tank is, bioload wise. Aim to keep it from rising above 30ppm in a week.( some pple aim for 20, others 40...)
3) I am not familiar with pufers but it certainly sounds like playful behavior to me. not too uncommon IME. if it were to do it constantly, like a caged animal pacing, id worry about its fishy mental health.. :D but it doesnt sound like water quality or tank mate stress signs that i have seen.
4) If at any time of year your house temp fluctuates 10 degrees over 24 hrs ( between night and day, for instance) that would stress the fish over time and i would suggest a heater only to keep the temp from fluctuating. the fasterthe temp change in the water, the more sressful to the fish. In those smallish tanks, id expect the water temp changes nearly as fast as the room temp.
5) If you find java moss, see if the store will take or buy back from you any extra you end up with. often they will.
6) i never tried that combo myself. They arent long finned zebras are they?
If by chillin you mean kinda hangin on one spot, id say thats not a trereibly happy betta and you might consider somehow seeing if the danios are bothering him.
if by chillin you mean swiming around checking stuff out, occassionally chasing, occassionally resting, then id say he sounds fine.
it all depends on the personality of your particular betta, some i have met would really not like the zippiness of danios, others might not care.
I know my bettas are happy when they blow a nest. they need some still surface water to do that though.
 
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1. i'd say just get 1-2 more max. although they, like any schooling fish, like to be in large groups, theyre fine in groups of 3

2. i'm not totally sure, but i think any snail or shrimp will do. ghost shrimp should work, theyre only like 30 cents

3. many fish like to play. i'm not a puffer expert, but i'm pretty sure he's just playing

4. as long as it stays at 75, no. you might want to get one just in case for the winter (theyre not that expensive)

5. sorry, don't know anything about plants

6. they should be fine together

hope i could help a little
 
Honestly, I might not get anymore danios, and consider another oto instead. They like company :p:
 
1. My danios seem really happy - there is just three of them.



jessijessi said:
How about shrimps for them to eat? How concerned should I be about parasites from snails/shrimps? Should I just breed them myself?
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2. You will need to feed them food that will help keep their teeth trimmed. Snails are excellent for this task. I am not aware of any shrimp that will help in this task. However, they can be used for a nice treat! Puffers are picky eaters at times and I have heard them starving themselves becasue they are not getting what they want. Breeding them yourself is REALLY easy to do - plenty of information on the web for that.

Goto Dwarf Puffers Webpage Lots of invaluable info on dp's there.

3. Assuming tests are accurate - your puffer is just very active. They all have different personalities. He is just having fun - that is all.

4. DP natural envirnment is ~78-80F. 75F will not harm them. So if you can gurantee that their temp will not drop below 72F, you should be fine. Again, this is "should be" fine as dp's are particular little things.

5. Should not BUT I do not have experience in it.

6. From what I know of bettas - they are fish that like to move around and "play". Also check up on his fins - I know danios like to "play" as well. But I do not have much experience in this area.

Just my $0.02 is all.

Good Luck

Aries
 
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