Hello

[Tom-likes-platys]

Hi I am Tom. I own a 6.5 gallon tank with 3 platys 4 zebra danios, 1 pearl danio and 1 chinese algae eater.

 

[Rocky998]

Welcome to the forum!

I can't get into much detail right now but that tank size is wayyyyy too small for all those guys. And some need more of their kind to be comfortable.

I hope you plan on upgrading the tank size to a much larger size

 

[Tom-likes-platys]

I was planning to upgrade or recommend my Chinese algae eater when he gets to his adult size

 

[Rocky998]

I was planning to upgrade or recommend my Chinese algae eater when he gets to his adult size

No. Adults require 50 gallons. Juveniles require 30 gallons. I suggest giving him to your local pet/fish store or upgrading the tank in the next few weeks.

 

[Tom-likes-platys]

Ok thank you for informing me that. I read that adults only need 30 gallons but preferably 50 gallons so I thought 6.5 would be fine until he reached his adult size

 

[Rocky998]

Ok thank you for informing me that. I read that adults only need 30 gallons but preferably 50 gallons so I thought 6.5 would be fine until he reached his adult size

How big is he (in inches)?

 

[Tom-likes-platys]

2.5 inch

 

[Rocky998]

2.5 inch

Ok. So I would say a 20 gallon would be the minimum at the moment then.
Because while space is important you also have to remember that fish produce waste (pee/poo) and when that builds up in a small space... It's not good at all.
Is your tank cycled? How long has it been set up for?

 

[Tom-likes-platys]

My tank is fully cycled I got it w months ago. I used to do 3 1/3 water changes a week but I was running low on water treatment, but when I get some more I will continue doing e water changes a week.

 

[Rocky998]

My tank is fully cycled I got it w months ago. I used to do 3 1/3 water changes a week but I was running low on water treatment, but when I get some more I will continue doing e water changes a week.

That's good to here!
What percentage of water do you change weekly now?
Definitely get more dechlorinator

 

[Tom-likes-platys]

Last water change wss 2 days ago and I only had enough treatment for about 20% water change

 

[Tom-likes-platys]

This has nothing to do with my cae, but I might only have 2 platys by tommorow because my leopard danio was being aggressive towards everything in my tank and he picked on a platy who is very slow and defenseless, I moved the leopard danio, but this platy is struggling to balance and has fin and scale damage.

 

[Rocky998]

Last water change wss 2 days ago and I only had enough treatment for about 20% water change

Ok that's fine.
When you get more dechlorinator, try to do 50% water changes weekly.
This will help with the build up of ammonia and nitrites.
What water treatment do you use?

This has nothing to do with my cae, but I might only have 2 platys by tommorow because my leopard danio was being aggressive towards everything in my tank and he picked on a platy who is very slow and defenseless, I moved the leopard danio, but this platy is struggling to balance and has fin and scale damage.

Oh ouch...
The tank is very small for all of them and danios are usually peaceful so the tank size is the cause for most of the issues here

 

[Tom-likes-platys]

Is that 50% 3 times a week or once. I know the tank size is the reason for this but he had never been aggressive until a few days ago so I thought as long as I did 3 water changes a week that would make up for the smaller tank size, because I wasn't sure if I needed a bigger tank for territorial reasons or for the waste produced.

 

[Rocky998]

Is that 50% 3 times a week or once. I know the tank size is the reason for this but he had never been aggressive until a few days ago so I thought as long as I did 3 water changes a week that would make up for the smaller tank size, because I wasn't sure if I needed a bigger tank for territorial reasons or for the waste produced.

Oh no no no... Not 3x a week. One 50% water change weekly.

You will need a bigger tank for both reasons. And fish have limits. The danio may have been ok with it for a bit but then he decided enough was enough