starter danios and tetras

[skiltrip]

2 zebra danios, and 2 diamond tetras as starter fish for a 15 gallon tank, what do you say? diamond tetras hardy enough?

- kip

 

[skiltrip]

I know people ask these "which starter fish are ok" questions a lot, and I apologize for yet another one.

My girlfriend really wants to get starter fish that she wants to keep (understandable) and we're just not positive about whether or not the Diamond Tetras are hardy enough. thanks!

- kip

 

[HawkEye]

Thissite was given to me when I first got here... http/www.fishprofiles.com/ ...it has a ton of info about pairing fish, hardy etc...

danios are very hardy and should do fine....if after 2 weeks your ammonia hasn't spiked yet I suggest adding 1-2 more danios (they like to school and are better in numbers...)

 

[Fishsmurf]

Why not do a fishless cycle? whilst the cycle is going through your girlfriend can have a look through the species profile to see what she would like to keep.....

A couple of other advantages are that you do not have to subject any fish to the cycle & you are not left with the Danios + Tetra's at the end. You can actually pick which fish you "want" to keep as opposed to have to select fish that are suitable for cycling.......

Just an idea........

 

[skiltrip]

She definitely wants the zebra danios and the diamond tetras...

and i looked around at that profiles link and other places, they all say generally tetras are hardy, but not specifically how hardy the diamond tetras are.

- kip

 

[aberdeen aquarist]

I have always found diamond tetras do well in a more mature tank, I would suggest putting in the zebras first and add the diamond later on in say a couple of months when the tank is more stable.

 

[skiltrip]

Would 2 starter fish be ok, or whould the cycle go really slowly?

I am thinking maybe we should just get a pair of the zebra danios.

 

[impur]

Get at least 3. I started my tank with 7 giants. They all lived the cycle(i actually had a very short cycle of about 5 days). I still have 4 of em, the others got picked off by my GT and JD. But they definately do best with at least 3 or more.

 

[skiltrip]

thing is, she only wants a pair of zebra danios. so i guess we'd have to get one other fish by itself, or a pair of something else. just trying to figure out what kind!


- kip

 

[skiltrip]

We went with 2 Zebra Danios. But we are actually going back tomorrow to add a third one.

- kip

 

[jbjnc63]

Is a fishless cycle using straight ammonia faster than using fish? About how long you think?

 

[skiltrip]

i personally like the challenge of cycling a new tank. i know perhaps if there was a way around it, it would be good, as to not risk any unecessary deaths. but if you ask a lot of questions, and do everything right, you can come out of it clean as a whistle, and learn a lot in the process.

What better way to learn about tank chemistry and aquarium care then cycling a tank.

- kip

 

[HawkEye]

Once she sees the danios swimming around the tank she will want more... But remember danios are schooling fish and like to be in groups of 6 or more...I started with 3 zebra danios in my 40 gal but realized it wasn't enough to cycle the tank...I just picked up 3 long-finned Blue danios and the tank is full of action ....There are many types of danios some with more color and large fins etc. and their personalities are the BEST!!!!

 

[skiltrip]

we got the 3rd danio. these fish really are cool. i never noticed how purple they are in the light. they are cool as hell!

- kip

 

[smb]

i personally like the challenge of cycling a new tank. i know perhaps if there was a way around it, it would be good, as to not risk any unecessary deaths. but if you ask a lot of questions, and do everything right, you can come out of it clean as a whistle, and learn a lot in the process.

What better way to learn about tank chemistry and aquarium care then cycling a tank.

- kip

With all due respect, you are very incorrect.

Using fish to cycle a tank shortens their life because it breaks down the gill membranes. Just because they "survive" it, doesn't mean they are "ok".

They will live a lot shorter of a life and be a lot more unhealthy. Using fish you want to keep to cycle a tank, makes no sense at all and only makes more sense to use a fishless cycle.