Bully Danio

[Lynz781]

Had a tank going for over a week now. I placed six danios (3 pearl and 3 zebra long-finned) in it yesterday and they seem to be liking it apart from one zebra thinks he owns the place and chases any one who comes out of the top corner of the tank they are probably hiding in. I accept that they won't always get on but I'm worried it may be nipping fins. Do danios bite? Of course he (think its probably male) swims too fast for me to be able to tell if hes biting. Also the pearl danios sit on the bottom hiding sometimes is this normal danio behaviour? They are probably sick of being chased. Would be grateful if anyone can give me some info. I'm a bit worried.
Ta Lynz

 

[OohFeeshy]

I'm not sure but I'd try to give the bully a time out in a breeding net.

 

[Lynz781]

They all have a go at chasing eachother. And the other five stick together. So they should be okay but might consider breeding tank if finnage goes missing. Also discovered they don't like lettuce................ He is totally up himself wee brat

 

[The-Wolf]

I'm not sure but I'd try to give the bully a time out in a breeding net.

no do not do that!

the danios are going through a pecking order, the alpha fish will come out on top, with no injuries or deaths at all. let them do their thing and all will be well.

 

[OohFeeshy]

) OK then, ignore me.... I'm just the random twit in the corner......

 

[sylvia]

The time out thing does work for livebearers like platies and guppies.

 

[Lynz781]

Danios are egg layers?

 

[damia713]

yes dannios are egg-layers. in fact they usually will scatter eggs in the morning right after feeding.
dont worry the pecking will work out its self.

 

[sylvia]

Or right after a water change - then they'll proceed to snack on them.

 

[Lynz781]

I'm hoping when i get silver dollars they will stop bickering and just be friends. Gettin some cool catfish too.

 

[Lynz781]

Do both male and female danios have barbels?

 

[sylvia]

You mean you can see the barbels? I never can but some people say they are there If they do have barbels, both sexes would have them. You can tell them apart because females are larger and more deep-bodied. The males also tend to have a more golden color than the silvery females and you may notice the females actualy chase and bully males more than the other way round (which is the case with most other fish). Except of course at breeding time when the males suddenly turn on the females
The Wolf (who posted earlier) has a great danio site and I'm sure there's a page on sexing them if you are interested.

 

[Lynz781]

Yeah i had a look at that website. And yes i can see the barbels. Usually when they are looking around the gravel for munchies i can see them. Yip one of my pearls just confirmed that for me so they must use them to help look for food? Reckon ive got two male LF zebras as they are kind of greenish around the fins. And one female LF zebra. With the pearls im guessing the two with brighter eyes and pink stripes towards their tail are male and the one without the pink stripe is female? They are alot smaller so its hard to tell. I would like to try and make babies but obviously i need to know which are male and female. Aww they look so cute with their barbels stickin out

 

[sylvia]

That's so cute lol - mental image. Yeah they use the barbels to help detect food. I can't realy help with the sexing without seeing the fish but I'm sure you'll be able to tell as soon as they get bigger and you get to know them better.

 

[The-Wolf]

here is a pic of both the female is in the foreground