Danio - Which Kind?

[Linda B xxx]

Which type of Danio would you recomend to start cycling a new tank?

i have read the posts in the other board about which types do what, but i'm still struggling.

please could you give me your personal preferances and recomendations?

 

[dwarfgourami]

The most important thing to remember is that danios are not conveniences supplied by Mother Nature to facilitate the aquarium hobby; they are living creatures with needs of their own. We get a lot of posts with danio problems and almost invariably it is quite clear why the problems occur:

*danios are highly active creatures. If you cannot offer a 2 foot tank (minimum), don't even think about it, they will turn aggressive

*danios need to be in schools of at least 6-8. 2 danios may end up bullying each other to death

*even a hardy fish suffers from the toxins of a cycling tank. Once is bad enough, but what happens to danios is that they get taken back to the shop after cycling- because they were only a convenience- then they get sold again to cycle somebody else's tank, then they get taken back to the shop.... See my drift? Don't get danios unless you really see yourself offering a home to a school of these fish for the rest of their lives.

There is always the option of fishless cycling.

Hope I don't sound off-putting. It's just that danios are lovely fish and I hate the thought of them getting a raw deal. What I would do (if I had the room) would be to do a fishless cycle, and then add a big, happy school of danios in one go. But only if you have a big enough tank, and are not planning to keep easily stressed surface fish and/or fish with long flowing fins.

 

[Wendy-Jane]

I'm a newby and I've got five Pearl Danios and I love them very very very much
So I'd recommend Pearl Danios, cos they're just sooo cute, though they're the only Danio's I know

To be honest, I wouldn't cycle with fishes either.

 

[The-Wolf]

Hope I don't sound off-putting. It's just that danios are lovely fish and I hate the thought of them getting a raw deal.

you put that a lot better than I could've

 

[WILDER]

She was going to do a fishless cycle but i think a member put her off.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=139128

 

[Linda B xxx]

Thanks for the replies,

i'm still abit confused i'm afraid.

i went back to my lfs tonight to look at what danios they had and also to get some new white filter pads for my filter, i bought a bridge to go in the tank too.

i asked about the liquid bacteria you can add to speed up the cycle, the lass in the fs said she never used it shes got danios in her tank, she put them in after 24 hours and has had them for 4 months now without any problems.

i like the danios they were the zebra ones they had in, i have no intention in harming / using or returning any of the fish i get so rest assured when i get them they will be for keeps.

i'm still none the wiser as to the best way to cycle the tank as i have been told so many different things by different people.

the only question i have is about this liquid bacteria.

does it work?

i told the lass in the fs that i would have a think about it and i might go back tomorrow for some of the bacteria stuff.

 

[WILDER]

Nutrafin benefical bacteria, not proven if i does work, it meant to speed the bacteria colony up, i would get it if you are going to do a fish cycle,
To be honest even the cycle can takes it's toll on the hardiest of fish as they have to go through the ammonia and nitrite process which can damage the gills as the ammonia can burn and irratate there skin.
Also it can shut there immune ssystem down causing desease and death.
The decision is yours if you want to use fish go a head, but if you don't want the fish to suffer the fishless cycle will be for you.
Good luck.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=73365

 

[Linda B xxx]

Thanks for that.

Hubbys mate has just rung, he has 5 big tanks, he keeps oscars and other fish, he said i can 'start' filter off in one of his tanks if i want too.

is this a better idea?

I'm sorry to keep asking these questions..

 

[TreesSZ]

Everything said about 2 in a tiny tank and being aggressive to each other and others could not be more true with my own two (I was given a selection of fish after my rainbow crab died and 2 danio were in that gift). They chase each other all the time and pick on others in the tank (that is probably too samll due to the behaviour) It will be a shame to return them as I have watched them grow and love the energy they bring to the little community. Maybe it is the best thing to trade them in

 

[WILDER]

Hubbys mate has just rung, he has 5 big tanks, he keeps oscars and other fish, he said i can 'start' filter off in one of his tanks if i want too.


Yes that would be great, as long as he has know desease in the tank, you will need to keep it wet till you get the media in your tank, so a container of his tank water with the sponges or a bag, good luck.
Then add it straight to your filter and add some flakes to the tank if you have no fish in, to keep the bacteria going.

 

[Linda B xxx]

I think that will be my best option then,

i dont like the idea of cycling with fish, and the amonia thing makes me nervous as i dont want to use chemicals incase i get it wrong and have to start again from scratch.

Hubby is going to take it over to his mates tomorrow morning.

Phew,

glad thats sorted, i was getting so confused....

Thank you for all your help it's very much appreciated

 

[dwarfgourami]

I think that will be my best option then,

i dont like the idea of cycling with fish, and the amonia thing makes me nervous as i dont want to use chemicals incase i get it wrong and have to start again from scratch.

Hubby is going to take it over to his mates tomorrow morning.

Phew,

glad thats sorted, i was getting so confused....

Thank you for all your help it's very much appreciated

That's good news- that is definitely the best option.