Stocking 20 Long around Zebra Danios

joel.uejio

joel.uejio

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Jun 1, 2009
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Joel
Hello all,

I'm a new tank starter -- currently have 5 zebra danios in my 20 gal long. pH is around 7.9; temperature about 75 F; filtration is an AC 50 HOB; substrate is pool filter sand. Tank has some anubia, a java fern and a sword plant.

I'm trying to come up with a plan for final stocking. One idea I have is:

5 zebra danios
5 harlequin rasboras
1 dwarf gourami
3 panda corys

Now some questions...
Is this too much? Is the DG going to get pestered by the ZD's?
I like rasboras and gouramis, so I'd like at least one, if not both. I'm flexible on the PC's though -- just want something snorfelling around on the bottom.

Thanks in advance for the help and advice!
Joel
 
If you're not sure about the panda corys you should look at oto's (otocinculus). They're smaller so you could probably stock more of them, and they're also very active though they won't confine themselves to the bottom of the tank.

The dwarf gourami shouldn't be too bothered by the danios, mine acts like my neon tetras don't exist unless they try to go after his food. As far as I know zebra danios aren't big fin nippers, so the gourami should be fine.
 
lmarshall said:
If you're not sure about the panda corys you should look at oto's (otocinculus). They're smaller so you could probably stock more of them, and they're also very active though they won't confine themselves to the bottom of the tank.
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If you add otos, don't do it until you have an established tank with algae growing in it. Otherwise you will starve your poor little guys to death. They need the algae.

Pygmy cories are also an option of you are going for smaller fish with less bioload.
 
Btw is this tank cycled? If not don't add anymore fish until it is. I agree with Lupin, corys are good in groups of 6+
 
Yes my tank is not yet cycled, so going to hold off on any new fish till that's done. Sounds like my basic plan is ok, though. So once it's ready I'll make some decisions about corys vs. otos and get things going. Thanks all for the comments!

BTW, thanks also Carla G for the advice about live plants. I have 0 special lighting, but the anubias, java fern and sword all seem to be doing fine so far. The danios also seem to be enjoying them too.

Joel
 
Carla G said:
If you add otos, don't do it until you have an established tank with algae growing in it. Otherwise you will starve your poor little guys to death. They need the algae.
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You can feed them soft vegetables like zucchini if you don't have a whole lot of algae. However, I would wait until the tank is cycled, otos are often hard to acclimate. They are usually wild caught, so by the time they arrive in your tank they're in rough shape, considering they've been shipped from South America, and kept in pet stores with clean, scrubbed tanks. They don't readily eat algae pellets, so they're often starving after spending some time at your local petco. Putting them into an uncycled might be too much stress for them. They are very hardy once acclimated and comfortable in their surroundings.

@joel.uejio: I think your plan definitely sounds good! You'll enjoy the oto's or the corys either way, both are fun fish.
 
lmarshall said:
You can feed them soft vegetables like zucchini if you don't have a whole lot of algae. However, I would wait until the tank is cycled, otos are often hard to acclimate. They are usually wild caught, so by the time they arrive in your tank they're in rough shape, considering they've been shipped from South America, and kept in pet stores with clean, scrubbed tanks. They don't readily eat algae pellets, so they're often starving after spending some time at your local petco. Putting them into an uncycled might be too much stress for them. They are very hardy once acclimated and comfortable in their surroundings.
Click to expand...
my otos don't seem to like veggies much. they basically stick to the sucking on the glass and driftwood. i've tried everything from zucchini, green peppers, cucumbers, spinach etc.
 
FastFly67 said:
my otos don't seem to like veggies much. they basically stick to the sucking on the glass and driftwood. i've tried everything from zucchini, green peppers, cucumbers, spinach etc.
Click to expand...

Yeah, mine don't go too crazy for the veggies, but they do eat them. That said, some people's otos go nuts for veggies... I've heard of them sucking upside down on floating zucchini as soon as its dropped in the tank. It might depend on what variety you have, I think there are some different sub-species that aren't always distinguished by pet stores. You've probably already found this site, http://www.otocinclus.com/ , anyways if anybody hasn't it's got some good info and tips.
 
I think you have a good plan. You are aware of cycling, and it sounds like you have done some research, especially regarding popuations. Good for you! By the way. I have a school of rasborborae numbering five. They seem to be quite content.
 
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