Danio Queries

[moonstarer]

Hi All,

I have a new tank (cycled without fish) and have five zebra danios. They are lovely looking fish and appear to have settled in ok. However, I have noticed that there appears to be a difference in colouring amongst them, with 3 having a slightly darker appearance than the other two, which also seem slightly smaller. In addition the three darker ones seem to chase the other two and I was wondering if they are males attempting to breed. They also occassionally have a go at each other, with one in particular almost "dominating" the group. Is this normal behaviour for danios and will they calm down once they mate? I am hoping to add some more community fish in a month or so's time (maybe guppies, tetras or cherry barbs and wonder if they will be left alone?

My tank is a Juwel Rekord 60 (54 litres) and I am not heating it at the moment as the temperature is 24-25 deg C without. My water parameters are as follows: Ammonia 0 ppm, nitrite 0 ppm, nitrate 20 ppm, pH 7.6 (hard). I would welcome advice from fellow danio keepers.

Steve.

 

[The-Wolf]

as answered on PFKs forum, the fish pictured there are both male
it is normal behaviour as they are heirachal and the alpha fish is asserting its dominance.

 

[Robotochan]

Glad to see another Danio lover Just make sure that the Ammonia stays down or their gills get red. I have the dominant female as well, make sure there is enough hiding spaces for the rest of them. I'm going to get 4 leopard Danio once my new tank is cycled