Stocking 20 Long around Zebra Danios

Update & More Questions:
Tank finished cycling: I hit a peak of NH3 = .50 for a few days, then after had NO2 = .50 for a few days, then both dropped to 0. I was doing daily 15-25% water changes and loaded up on plants.

Following that I picked up 3 Juliis 3 days ago and 3 more today. So current stocking is:
5 Zebra danios
6 Julii corys

So far, all seem happy and healthy. :) The ZD's are exhibiting the behaviors I've labelled "Tag" and "Attention-Deficit Schooling"; JC's are rooting around or cruising up and down the side.

I'm going to let conditions stabilize, but after that I'd like to add a centerpiece fish and I'd really like it to have some color. I'm still interested in the Dwarf Gourami, but have also looked at Sparkling Gouramis, Honey G's, Pearl G's, Croaking G's, and Sailfin Mollys...

Any suggestions on which would be a good fit, and do interesting things?

Thanks!
Joel
 
joel.uejio said:
Even if 1 DG + 5 ZD + 6 C is a reasonable bio load, I'm worried that the G and the ZD's will be constantly bothering each other (I'm picturing "Perfect Strangers" with 5 Balki's and 1 cousin Larry). So, hmmm...
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Just as a data point here, right now I have 7 danios, 7 cories and a betta. I was worried about the danios bothering the betta, since they do chase each other a lot, but so far they don't even acknowledge that he's there, and everyone is quite happy.

And as for your last post, most of my danios are the long fin persuasion, and I love how my betta looks in with them. :) Plus you pretty much get to choose your color! Plus you can add different color danios if you want- I have zebras, leopards, blue, gold, and glofish colors, with long and short fin in there, lots of color and movement!
 
clb2196 said:
Just as a data point here, right now I have 7 danios, 7 cories and a betta. I was worried about the danios bothering the betta, since they do chase each other a lot, but so far they don't even acknowledge that he's there, and everyone is quite happy.

And as for your last post, most of my danios are the long fin persuasion, and I love how my betta looks in with them. :) Plus you pretty much get to choose your color! Plus you can add different color danios if you want- I have zebras, leopards, blue, gold, and glofish colors, with long and short fin in there, lots of color and movement!
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I just put in my Betta into my community tank and was worried they would stress each other out, but so far so good (I moved him over because I'm changing the substrate of his tank). The Betta doesn't bother them and they don't bother him. He spent all day flaring up at his reflection yesterday, I think he finally figured out he couldn't get to the "other" Betta.

I have 5 gold and 5 regular ZDs and they all play together and everything. No problems there.
 
Ok, looks like some votes in the Betta camp -- I've started looking into those now -- definitely supply the color aspect I'm looking for.

Anyone have thoughts to share on the Gourami side? At this point I've rounded out my current stock so I'm at 8 zebra danios and 6 julii corys. Again, this is for my planted 20 gal long.

With this size and level of ruckus I've narrowed it down to Dwarf, Pearl, and Croaking (Trichopsis vittata) as options. I was looking at Sparkling (Trichopis pumila) but I think those are too shy to compete with the danios. Was also looking at Opaline (Trichogaster trichopterus), but I think those are too aggresive.

Croaking seem pretty rare, and I'm concerned about Dwarfs being illness-prone, so that nudges me towards a Pearl, although that one could get a little big...hmmmmm
 
Pearl are also the most peacefull of the Gourami- so are ideal for community tank.

The ZD's are exhibiting the behaviors I've labelled "Tag" and "Attention-Deficit Schooling";
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The way I describe ZDs are that they are the Springer Spaniel of the fish world.
 
I've heard that sparkling and croaking (and I believe the common names get used interchangeably) tend to be weak stock, too. I've heard people on here say no one seems to be able to get them to live longer than a year.

I'm really loving my betta. He's very happy, very active always out in the open. Something about the motion of the fins creates a nice look.

I was thinking about a pearl gourami before I got the betta, but decided I didn't want 1 fish that was so much bigger than the others. Purely an asthetic thing. But I think if you get a gourami, that would be your best bet.
 
clb2196 said:
I was thinking about a pearl gourami before I got the betta, but decided I didn't want 1 fish that was so much bigger than the others. Purely an asthetic thing. But I think if you get a gourami, that would be your best bet.
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I've read that larger fish will make smaller schooling fish school better.

Sounds like it would make sense- might make the Danio school more- although I'd hate to make a fish school by scaring the trait into it!


Aesthetically, I've considered the Pearl for my tank simply because it would be safe with my fish and shrimp (perhaps the largest surface fish that is)- and IS noticably bigger. I'd think aesthetically that would add to the tank. I think it's a personal taste thing though.
 
As far as a suggestion on the dwarf gourami. I love the sunset honey gourami. They have deep blue faces. Orange bodies, and yellow dorsal fins. They also have a deep blue line on the bottom of their bodies. They are very beautiful.
 
jenazen69 said:
As far as a suggestion on the dwarf gourami. I love the sunset honey gourami. They have deep blue faces. Orange bodies, and yellow dorsal fins. They also have a deep blue line on the bottom of their bodies. They are very beautiful.
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This was my first choice- I got 2 within 6 months, and neither of them lasted longer than 3 weeks. :( Doesn't necessarily mean the stock overall is bad, but I've certainly had problems with them, and so have others on here.

Wycco, good point, definitely a personal asthetic choice. :) I *do* think the pearls are gorgeous, and I definitely want one for my next (bigger) tank.
 
Yeah... in my case, I've got a 55 gallon... and whereas I love Danio, Cherry Barbs, Corydoras, etc- it would be nice to have a larger fish in there! ;)

I've been restricted to mainly smaller fish due to my desire to have shrimp.
 
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