We have a 10 gal. tank 2 Pearl Danios & 2 Zebra Danios looking for ideas on what fish to add?

Question

My boyfriend and I just set up the 10 gallon tank approx. 1 1/2 weeks ago, and our 4 Danios are doing well. We are debating over what other fish we want to add to the tank and could use some advice...
He likes Bala Sharks and would like to put 2 in the tank.
I would like to put a Male Betta in with maybe 2 Gold Danios or maybe 3 Neon Tetras.
This is our first tropical tank we have both only had feeder fish before, so any suggestions are really helpful.
Thanks!!

Answer 1

Bala sharks would quickly outgrow your tank - these get up to 13" long and need room to swim. The ones you see in stores are just babies (although you could use these as a reason to get a much bigger tank!).

A 10 gallon is pretty small as aquaria go. The neons would stay small an provide some color. Two gold danios should be okay as well. A single male betta (or dwarf gourami, but not both) could be added, but you would have to watch the interactions between your fish closely. Bettas are usually peaceful fish when kept with other fish (YES THEY ARE! - I know I'll get some thumbs down on this, but look up the info yourself!), but you can get an occassional bully - or the other fish may pick on the betta because he will be slower and they may nip at his fins. You could look at a female - these are getting more colorful, but they don't get the long fins of most males.

You could also try a pair of guppies or platies - they would add some color. I'd get just males, though, because you wouldn't have the space for many fry (and othr fish would try to eat them anyway).

I notice you say you just set up the tank - you may want to avoid getting new fish at this point. I doubt that you've cycled your tank, and your water is going to get very cloudy soon (if it hasn't already). The fish you have are producing wastes and you need to have a population of beneficial bacteria to break these wastes down. Until this happens, you'll be getting ammonia, which is toxic to the fish. If you add more fish now, you'll only get more ammonia (and faster). The bacteria will convert the ammonia to nitrite (also toxic), then to nitrate. I'd get a test kit and monitor the progress. Once your water shows ammonia = 0 and nitrite = 0 you can add more fish. Until then, do 25% water changes each week to keep the ammonia and nitrites down.

I'm giving you a few links where you can look up info on cycling an aquarium and the fish I mentioned (and others) - see what you like, but I'd keep it to no more than 2 fish that will stay about 2" or less in your current tank:

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/TropicalFishProfiles.htm
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/000tropfishcareguides.htm
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pcatid=830

Good luck with the tank!

Answer 2

That's a pretty small tank...I would be careful not to over do it with fish. Overcrowding can be very bad for all of the fish in your tank. Neon Tetras are a good choice b/c they school and usually stay in one area together. Plus they really look cool when you have a few of them.

You can also add some stuff like possibly a Marbled Hatchet fish (Carnegiella Strigata). These stay at the very top of the tank where it's usually pretty empty. Just remember that they are notroious jumpers and you'll find them stiff in the carpet unless you have a good lid for your tank.

Just do some homework and make sure whatever you put in there is not going to kill the others. Bettas are fighting fish aren't they? Probaby best to avoid them IMHO.

Answer 3

I would skip the Betta in this tank. You've got some really cool fish choices already, and the Neon's sound like a good addition.

I'd avoid the Bala's too, but that's just me.

You might be good with some swords or plattys. A couple Dalmation Mollies might not be bad either. If you want to check out something cool that might be right up your alley, go to http://www.glofish.com and see the Danio's there.

Answer 4

No Dont even get a 5 gal as another person just said, you would need at least 20 gals, as danios are shoaling fish and need to be kept in groups of 6+

Answer 5

If you really want, maybe the neon's, but you are starting to push the stocking limits of that size tank.
I'd steer very clear of the bala's

Without knowing the filtration type and water change frequency/water parameters, it is very difficult to say.

Answer 6

ok if you have danois i had some and they ate the tales of some of my other fish so dont put them with neons you can put them with cleaner fish and they wont bother them red minor fish they are realy pertty and i think the other fishes name was a blood fin fish they are also realy nice and thats is really it.