Danios Not Eating?

[ChrisNfish]

Hi all,

About 4 days ago, I purchased some zebra danios. They have their own bowl, so are not bothered or bullied by other fish. I have several types of food (freeze dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, goldfish flakes, and betta pellets) that I have tried to get them to eat. I'm not sure if they're actually eating anything. I see them dart to the top of the bowl, and pretty much the only thing they'll touch so far is the flakes. They grab one, dart off, and a few seconds later, it appears that they are spitting it out.

I can't tell if they've actually eaten anything since they've been here. Is it possible that they are eating a little bit when they grab and then spit out the flakes?

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[ChrisNfish]

Nevermind... go figure, they started eating today.

 

[Thirdfloor]

You say bowl, are your danios in a bowl instead of a tank? do you have a filter running?

 

[ChrisNfish]

Yep, they're in a bowl. No I don't have a filter, I just do large frequent water changes.

 

[DevUK]

Danios *really* aren't suited to be in a bowl. They are very active little fish and need to be in groups of 4 or 5 minimum, with plenty of swimming space. Minimum recommended tank size is about 10 gallon, but more the better.

 

[ChrisNfish]

I have read many differing opinions on that, and based on the conflicting info, I decided to give it a go and just learn for myself. They have been fine so far (after I made sure they were eating). Plus, I can't have that large of a tank here at work. If it doesn't work out, I'll find the fish a new home.

 

[mark.w.jones]

It's really the length rather than the volume that's the problem. Danios are naturally very active and I would like to see them in nothing less than a 2 foot tank. Ideally a 3 foot. They will "live" in a bowl but not happily as they will be unable to move as freely as they do in the wild. Your Bowl is unlikely to be more than 5 US gallons, although I may be wrong, and this is only really suitable for a single betta or maybe a couple of neons.

 

[ChrisNfish]

Well sadly, it is truly impossible for me to put a 2 foot tank in my office. Believe me, I would love one.

I've also heard that neons don't work well for bowls. Everyone seems to have their own opinion on what does and doesn't work well in a bowl. Goldfish are an obvious no-no. I'd love to have a betta at work, but I can't plug in a heater. I thought about a paradise fish, but those get too big. I read articles by two different people who had success with different fish living in a bowl environment. Bettas, WCMM, Platy Variatus, Guppies, and Zebra Danios were the top recommended fish. Since I am unable to have a heater, I did not feel comfortable with the Bettas, Platys, and Guppies . It was a choice between the WCMM and the Danios.

I am happy to rehome the Danios and try a different fish. But it has to be able to tolerate temperatures down to 65 (I do not control the thermostat in the building, and I can not have a heater.) I am open to other suggestions. I can't have a bowl bigger than 2 gallons.

 

[Thirdfloor]

I think you should really weigh your desire to have at work agains the kind of life your fish will have. No fish will really ever live happily or comfortably in a 2 gallon bowl with no filtration. Even bettas should have at least a 5 gallon home. Maybe go for a hermit crab?

 

[mark.w.jones]

2 gallons unheated That's just about big enough for algae but not big enough for fish. Get a couple of cold water shrimp.

 

[ChrisNfish]

I'm going to have to disagree with you there. I know many betta people who say it is actually more cruel to keep a betta in a tank with a current, because of their unnaturally long fins. I have a male betta at my home in a 2 gallon, and he is happy as a clam, building bubble nests daily.

If the danios begin acting unhappy, I will promptly rehome them.

 

[timmystood]

If the danios begin acting unhappy, I will promptly rehome them.

How will you judge that? Unfortunatley fish can't join a union! Your really are best trying to rehome them or take them back to the shop you got them from originally. What type of Danio are they and how many have you got? Also, you say you do large, frequent water changes. How large and how often? Sorry for all the questions, it'll help us deciede what's best for you!

 

[ChrisNfish]

I have two zebra danios. I asked the store to give me the smallest ones in the tank. I don't know if they are full grown or not.

I do changes on Monday 50% Wednesday 50% and Friday 100%.

I have an ammonia testing kit that I use daily. If there is even a trace of ammonia, I change 50%. So far, there hasn't been.

 

[mark.w.jones]

I'm going to have to disagree with you there. I know many betta people who say it is actually more cruel to keep a betta in a tank with a current, because of their unnaturally long fins. I have a male betta at my home in a 2 gallon, and he is happy as a clam, building bubble nests daily.

If the danios begin acting unhappy, I will promptly rehome them.

I agree with you, it is cruel to keep a betta in a tank with a strong current, it is equally cruel to keep them in a tiny 2 gallon tank. I'm not going to split hairs with you, just offering experienced advice that's all. Danios will not be happy in a 2 gallon unheated bowl and will live a thoroughly unsatisfying life. If you choose to keep them that way and it all goes wrong that's your choice

 

[timmystood]

I have two zebra danios. I asked the store to give me the smallest ones in the tank. I don't know if they are full grown or not.
I do changes on Monday 50% Wednesday 50% and Friday 100%.

Two things wrong with that.
1) Zebra Danios really need to be in groups of 5 or more. Being in such small numbers will make them feel insecure and much more prone to stress-related disease.
2) You should Never do a 100% water change unless you re-aclimatise the fish to the water. By changing 100% of the water you are removing all the elements, minerals and levels that the fish have become used to. Taking out all of the water and putting them back in will completely throw out their systems.

By the way, they get about 7-8cm fully grown.