Lady Samsara
October 2nd 03, 07:47 AM
I cycled my 10 gallon tank about a year ago with 3 Zebra Danios and
then added 3 Long Finned Leopard Danios. I am now down to just the 3
Leopard Danios. I lost a Zebra a few months after I set the tank up,
and lost the other two just recently, due to suspicious circumstances.
I am almost positive the last Zebra was run down by a bully
Leopard...about the same time I noticed the Zebra's tail was kinked I
discovered the Leopard chasing it and the other Danios. I had never
noticed it before but now that I am aware I see it happens constantly.
I posted here and it was mentioned that the chasee might have been a
female but it was a male and subsequently died after being
quarantined. The bully Leopard chases the remaining 2 all the time.
She allows them to eat but does harass them constantly, coming up
behind them and seeming to nudge them with her nose. I have refreshed
myself with the criteria for schooling fish and I have read that the
minimum is 3 and 6 is even better. There were 4 when I noticed the
bullying. Here's the dilemma...I really didn't want to add anymore
Danios. I have nothing against them but really don't enjoy them as I
thought I would. I have 2 female Bettas in with them and wanted to add
a Dwarf Blue Gourami. I can't have those and add anymore Danios. I
cannot get a larger tank right now, or an additional tank, due to
space constraints. Am I doing right by these Danios? What does one do
when they want to discontinue (for lack of a better word..it sounds so
cold) a schooling fish? I don't want to return them to the LFS but I
also don't want them chased and bullied all the time either. I am at a
loss....and feeling very frustrated with all these deaths and the
turmoil in the tank. Not wanting to sound like a big baby but it has
changed my feelings towards the enjoyment of the tank. Everytime I
see the chasing I feel so helpless.
Any help/input/advise would be greatly appreciated!
then added 3 Long Finned Leopard Danios. I am now down to just the 3
Leopard Danios. I lost a Zebra a few months after I set the tank up,
and lost the other two just recently, due to suspicious circumstances.
I am almost positive the last Zebra was run down by a bully
Leopard...about the same time I noticed the Zebra's tail was kinked I
discovered the Leopard chasing it and the other Danios. I had never
noticed it before but now that I am aware I see it happens constantly.
I posted here and it was mentioned that the chasee might have been a
female but it was a male and subsequently died after being
quarantined. The bully Leopard chases the remaining 2 all the time.
She allows them to eat but does harass them constantly, coming up
behind them and seeming to nudge them with her nose. I have refreshed
myself with the criteria for schooling fish and I have read that the
minimum is 3 and 6 is even better. There were 4 when I noticed the
bullying. Here's the dilemma...I really didn't want to add anymore
Danios. I have nothing against them but really don't enjoy them as I
thought I would. I have 2 female Bettas in with them and wanted to add
a Dwarf Blue Gourami. I can't have those and add anymore Danios. I
cannot get a larger tank right now, or an additional tank, due to
space constraints. Am I doing right by these Danios? What does one do
when they want to discontinue (for lack of a better word..it sounds so
cold) a schooling fish? I don't want to return them to the LFS but I
also don't want them chased and bullied all the time either. I am at a
loss....and feeling very frustrated with all these deaths and the
turmoil in the tank. Not wanting to sound like a big baby but it has
changed my feelings towards the enjoyment of the tank. Everytime I
see the chasing I feel so helpless.
Any help/input/advise would be greatly appreciated!