what should I do about my Danio's?

Question

The tank is a ten gallion with 6 Neon Tetras (large) and two Danio's. I recently learned that the Danios were schooling fish but since I am getting a small alge eater in a month or so when the alge builds up I am pretty sure the tank is full.
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I know they are small and its one inch of fish for every gallon, but considering the rocks on the bottom take up room and the decorations I am unsure if i should get three more to let them school.
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Also, one of the Danio's just swims above the heater, even when I am feeding the other fish, the other Danio comes and feeds with the tetras but the one by the heater doesnt. He's been like that a couple of days and he is still very much alive, so maybe he is catching flake that the Tetras are not seeing or something, I worrie that he is starving himself.
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I understand as stated above that more fish might be to much for the tank, but would they beable to deal with more fish if it keeps the danio happy enough to eat?

I just noticed that while the other Danio swims alot more and will venture to the otherside of the tank sometimes, it tends to obsessivly swim around the Buddha Tower. Perhaps the Heater Danio has claimed the heater as its territory and the Tower one claimed the tower?

The Tetras havnt really climed anything, they like the Buddha statues but for the most part they just have fun swiming around. Maybe the Danio have obsessive personalitys?


I also cant recall what kind they are but they are a bright orangie pink, and they are not dyed thats their natural color

I dont have an alge problem, the fish guy said that after a month or so when I see alge build up I might want an alge eater just to help out. I set up the tank and let it run for three days before adding the five tertas and two Danios and its been running a little over a week with them in it.

I was told they would all stay the size they are. there is only one overweight one and Chubby is a tetra (From what I've read she may just be a female) Although it looks like she recently lost weight, I saw no eggs of fry so if anything like tht did occur they were eaten already.

But I also read its hard to breed Tetras thats one of the resons I bought them, so that I wouldnt have to worry about my tank full of babies. I have a friend that bought Fancy guppys that do nothing but breed.

Answer 1

You should re-think the algae eater idea. I know you plan on getting a "small" one - but most algae eaters grow very big. Common plecos hit 18", and even smaller plecos like rubber-lips can reach 5-6". Chinese and Siamese algae eaters grow to 4-6 inches. The only algae suitable to your tank would be a couple of otocinclus; those max out at 1.5".

If you're having algae problems, take the appropriate steps to get rid of it - because so-called algae eaters won't fix your problem. If your tank is too close to a window, that can be causing your algae. Same goes if the lights are on for too long (10 hours a day is enough). Algae can also thrive if you feed too much or don't clean enough. Only feed what your fish can eat in 30 seconds, twice a day; and do 30% weekly water changes to keep the water clean.

Did you recently set up your tank? If so, it is still going through the cycling process, which means that there are elevated levels of ammonia and nitrites in your tank. You can do small (10%) daily water changes to make it easier on your fish.

If not, or when your cycle is done (4-6 weeks after the first fish is introduced), I think you should get a few more danios, ending up with 6 neons and 5 danios. They are small fish; it's a little more than what you'd ideally want in a 10 gallon tank, but if you do weekly water changes, you can get away with it.

Answer 2

I would say try and find a new home for your danios. No way is that tank big enough to hold 6 tetras and enough danios for a good school. Honestly, you might not even need an algae eater. Even if you do get some algae its only a 10 gallon tank and takes less than 5 minutes to take care of if it gets bad. Something else you could look into are a couple of apple snails. These eat algae and don't get very big. Pretty much any other algae eater is too big or a 10 gallon and otocinclus are pretty fragile.

So my suggestions are:
1) lose the danios
2) maybe add 1-2 more tetras
3) look into some snails

Answer 3

First off, it depends on what danios you have...giant danios(which from your description, they possibly are) get up to 4" long and yes a school of these would be to large for a 10 gallon. If they are zebra danios (or fish of similar size), then a small school would be fine in your tank.

About the algae eater, just make sure not to get a pleco...they can get to 16" or bigger. I'm sure you mean a chinese algae eater which would do fine. Don't expect it to clean all of your algae off though. Try keeping the lights off more, that should help the algae situation.

I wouldn't worry about the fish not eating. Fish don't usually starve themselves unless that are injured and can't eat. It is probably eating, you just aren't seeing it.

Fish don't need as much food as most people think. They can go over a week without any food. Although this isn't recommended of course.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I would say.. don't get the algae eater. Plecos would get too large, and the smaller, 1-3 inch algae eaters are usually schooling as well. You tank is so small that you can handle the algae on your own. Although you don't have to follow the 1 inch per fish per gallon rule... you do have to realize that the amount of fish you put will determine stress levels of the others, and the amount of nitrates in your water. More fish waste= higher nitrates... and that kills fish. You'll have to do more partial water changes because of this... which also is a big stress factor. If one fish gets stressed and takes on a fungus.... you could wipe everyone out. I'd say stick with the neons, and get 1 or 2 more danios. You can allot yourself more space to use when you use schooling.

Answer 5

I'm 100% with Zoe on this one. As long as you maintain the tank properly you can both forget the algae eater and forget the stupid meaningless 1 inch per gallon "rule" That "rule" is trash foisted off on beginning aquarium keepers everyday.

Go with her suggestion and add a few more danios 304 more would be fine as long as you keep you your tank mantainance.

MM